Italia ’90 was one of the most popular events in television history watched by an estimated 27 million viewers. Thanks to Luciano Pavarotti’s rendition of Nessun Dorma and the superb footballing stages of Rome, Milan, Naples and Turin, it became known as ‘The Beautiful Tournament’.
In four short weeks during the summer of 1990, English football was transformed.
After dark years of hooliganism and tragedy, the game in England was revitalised by the performance of the national team at that summer’s World Cup, and a love affair with football was rekindled.
Gazza’s tears, Gary Lineker’s goals and a gripping penalty shoot out all contributed to a football story which increasingly gripped the nation.
Meanwhile, the Italians had their own rising star in the form of Toto Schillaci, who would go on to win the Golden Boot as tournament top scorer. And Cameroon became world sensations, beating former champions Argentina and taking England all the way in a dramatic quarter-final.
Return to Turin - Italia '90 recounts one of the greatest of World Cups, told through the eyes of Gary Lineker, Terry Butcher, Paul Parker, Chris Waddle, John Barnes, Toto Schillaci, Roger Milla and Lothar Matthaus. Show less