Croatia–Italy football rivalry
The Croatia–Italy football rivalry, also known as the Derby Adriatico, is a football rivalry between the national football teams of Croatia and Italy. Croatia has not lost against Italy (Italy won one game in 1942 while Croatia was an axis puppet state, but it is not recognized by the Croatian Football Federation) with most of the fixtures played in qualifications and at tournaments. At the 2002 FIFA World Cup, Croatia came from behind to beat Italy 2–1 in a controversial game, after two Italian goals were disallowed. During the Euro 2016 qualifying phase, Croatia and  Italy played each other twice, drawing both times. The first match was marred by crowd trouble due to flares being thrown onto the pitch, which also occurred when the two teams met at the UEFA Euro 2012. History at major tournaments. 2002 FIFA World Cup. The two nations faced each other at the 2002 World Cup in Japan and South Korea. They were drawn in the Group G along with Mexico and Ecuador. In their second group match, Italy took the lead in 55th minute after Christian Vieri scored, but Croatia made a comeback by goals from Ivica Olić in  73rd and Milan Rapaić in 76th minute. Even though Croatia won, Italy finished second in the group with a point more than Croatia and thus entered knockout stage where they were eliminated by South Korea. UEFA Euro 2012. Croatia and Italy met in the group stage of UEFA Euro 2012 along with Spain and Republic of Ireland. Andrea Pirlo scored a free kick in the 39th minute to give Italy the lead. but Mario Mandžukić scored the equalizer for Croatia in the 72nd minute. Italy finished second in Group C with 5 points, one more than third place Croatia. Italy  went on to finish as the tournament's Runner-up.