Manuel Locatelli drew comparisons with Italian football legend Marco Tardelli in more ways than one on Wednesday night.
The midfielder scored a brace in the 3-0 win against Italy and fans were quick to draw parallels with Tardelli, the Azzurri's 1982 World Cup hero.
For his first goal, a tap in from Domenico Berardi's ball, Locatelli wheeled away with a similar exuberance and gestures to Tardelli's famous celebration against West Germany in the final 39 years ago.
One fan wrote: 'Italians love a passionate head shake and run celebration don't they? Tardelli in 82, Grosso in 06 and Locatelli in 21.'
Another posted: 'Aw man! I thought Locatelli was going to go full Tardelli there... would have been epic.'
While a third wrote: 'Tardelli, Grosso, Locatelli. I love a weeping run celebration with all my heart.'
But the similarities did not end there. The Sassuolo midfielder popped up for a second goal after the break, this time firing a powerful low shot from just outside the box into the bottom right corner.
It was reminiscent of Tardelli's famous strike against West Germany and fans were quick to make the comparison.
'Thought I'd just seen Marco Tardelli score in the 1982 World Cup final... but no, it's Locatelli,' shared one.
Another posted: 'Something about that second Locatelli goal had shades of Tardelli in Spain 82 World Cup final.'
The midfielder has emerged as a key player for Roberto Mancini's side in the absence of injured Marco Verratti and is staking a claim for a permanent place in the team.
No doubt he will be hoping for another Tardelli moment to savour at the business end of Euro 2020 this summer.
