Leipzig, Milan, Iserlohn. Three cities, three Casa Azzurri locations, and one huge roar just when it seemed like the Azzurri would have to wait a couple of days to see if they’d qualify for the round of 16. Zaccagni’s goal was met with an explosion of joy by all Italy fans, including in the three areas set up by the FIGC for fans and partners: the one in Iserlohn, to which the National Team returned after the match in Leipzig, the one in Milan, at the Villaggio SenStation Summer in Piazza Duca d’Aosta, and the one ‘on tour’ in Leipzig, where various fans decided to spend an evening that seemed to be heading towards a bitter end.

But then Riccardo Calafiori (who will miss the round of 16 through suspension) burst forward and found Mattia Zaccagni, who produced a lethal finish. Pure unbridled joy followed, and Casa Azzurri - whatever the location - was bedlam.

Despite the fact that there were only a few seconds left full-time, no one stopped watching the big screens, and everyone’s faith was rewarded with a goal that sealed a round of 16 clash against Switzerland at 18:00 CEST on Saturday 28 June in Berlin. “We never stopped believing,” said various fans with painted faces as they exited Casa Azzurri. And in doing so, they were perhaps also casting their minds back to what happened in the German capital 18 years ago.