Italy 1990
Italy hosted Italia 90 the Notti Magiche, the Magical Nights and came agonisingly close to winning the title on home soil. Salvatore Schillaci, a little-known Sicilian striker, became the tournament's sensation: his bulging eyes, his passionate celebrations, and his 6 goals won the Golden Boot and captured the hearts of a nation. Italy were magnificent through the group stage and knockout rounds, riding a wave of emotion that made every match feel like a national event. But the semi-final in Naples against Argentina a city divided in its loyalties to Maradona, who played for Napoli ended in a penalty shootout defeat. Aldo Serena missed the decisive kick, and Italy's dream died. They beat England for third place, but the semi-final loss haunted Italian football for years. The tears of Schillaci and Roberto Baggio are the lasting images of a tournament that promised everything and delivered heartbreak.