Italy make worst start by reigning World champion since England

Italy make worst start by reigning World champion since England

Italy's 3-0 defeat to Holland in their opening game of the Euro 2008 marked the first time in 40 years that a reigning World Champion has lost their next match at a European Championships. The last European team to win a World Cup and then lose their following match at a major tournament was England.

Alf Ramsey's side lost 1-0 to Yugoslavia in 1968 having beaten West Germany in the World Cup Final two years earlier.

Italy's defeat to Holland was their biggest ever at the European Championships, and heaviest at a major tournament in 38 years - since losing 4-1 against Brazil in the 1970 World Cup Final.

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