Every FIFA World Cup Winner Ranked From Worst To Best

Regardless of the era, any side who knocks Brazil and Argentina out of a World Cup deserves to win it. The Azzurri managed such a feat in 1982 before knocking out European heavyweights West Germany.

Having overcome two group stages and Poland in the semi-finals, Italy faced a strong West German side, whose team sheet was adorned with the likes of Rummenigge, Breitner and Klaus Fischer. However, an equally talented Italian side that featured Zoff, Conti and the lethal Rossi managed a 3-1 win over the West Germans.

With a quintessentially Italian defence, Claudio Gentile had demarcated himself earlier in the tournament as a generationally robust defender having infamously man marked Maradona in a 2-1 victory, fouling Maradona 11 times in the first half alone.

Whilst perhaps not a beautiful side in the sense of the Netherlands team of the era, or Brazil sides of the past, this Italy side were organized and lethal in attack.