The 1990 FIFA World Cup held in Italy was a significant tournament for the Italy national football team. Here's an overview of their performance during that competition:

FIFA World Cup 1990:

• Italy entered the tournament as one of the favorites, with a squad featuring talented players such as Roberto Baggio, Salvatore Schillaci, and Franco Baresi. Managed by head coach Azeglio Vicini, the team aimed to win their third World Cup title on home soil.

• Drawn into Group A, Italy faced Austria, the United States, and Czechoslovakia in the group stage. They started their campaign with a 1-0 victory over Austria, followed by a 1-0 win against the United States. In their final group match, Italy played to a 2-0 win against Czechoslovakia, finishing at the top of their group.

• Advancing to the Round of 16, Italy faced Uruguay in a tightly contested match that ended in a 2-0 victory for the Italians, with goals from Schillaci and Aldo Serena.

• In the quarterfinals, Italy faced the Republic of Ireland in another closely contested match. Despite being held to a 0-0 draw after extra time, Italy prevailed in the penalty shootout, winning 5-4 to advance to the semifinals.

• In the semifinals, Italy faced Argentina in a highly anticipated match. After a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time, the match went to a penalty shootout, where Argentina emerged victorious, winning 4-3 and ending Italy's hopes of reaching the final.

• Italy went on to face England in the third-place playoff, where they secured a 2-1 victory, finishing the tournament in third place.

Legacy:

• While Italy fell short of winning the World Cup in 1990, their performance showcased the team's resilience and talent on the international stage. Salvatore Schillaci emerged as the tournament's top scorer with six goals, winning the Golden Boot award.

• The 1990 World Cup is remembered as one of Italy's most memorable campaigns, marked by dramatic matches and unforgettable moments. The team's run to the semifinals captured the imagination of football fans across Italy and inspired future generations of players.

• The experience gained from competing in the 1990 World Cup provided valuable lessons for Italian football, helping to shape the team's identity and tactics in subsequent tournaments.

Overall, the 1990 FIFA World Cup was a memorable chapter in the history of the Italy national football team, as they showcased their talent and passion on home soil and left a lasting impact on the tournament.