Top 10 Best FIFA World Cup Teams of All-Time
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10.Spain, 2010
Spain were known as under-achievers in the world cup until 2010 when they finally won their first ever world cup. Spain's journey started with a shock 1-0 defeat to minnows Switzerland, but came back strongly with a back-to-back wins against Honduras and Chile. They became the first team ever not to concede a goal in the knockout stage, thanks to their tiki-taka style of play and the impressive form of the captain and goalie Iker Casillas. The Spanish team defeated Portugal, Paraguay, favorites Germany to reach the final, and with a late extra time goal defeated Netherlands 1-0 to lift the most prestigious trophy.
9.West Germany, 1974
Franz Beckenbauer's West Germany came from behind to defeat the incredible Dutch team of Johan Cruyff 2-1 in the final to win their second world cup in 1974.The dutch team dominated the tournament by scoring 14 goals in just 6 matches. Netherlands started the final in style by scoring before the Germans had even touched the ball. Cruyff, who started to dribble the ball from the center circle was only stopped in the penalty box by a tackle from Uli Hoeness, giving a penalty kick for the Germans with just 1 minute into the game. Paul Breitner equalized for the Germans before Gerd Muller ensured West Germany a second world cup when he scored two minutes before the break. 1974 final is regarded as one of the best finals in the world cup history.
8. Hungary, 1954
Hungary's team in 1954 failed to win the world cup but still holds many offensive records in the tournament. They entered the tournament with a four-year undefeated streak.Hungarian team led by Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis in the attack thrashed South Korea by a score of 9-0, which is still tied for the largest margin of victory in a World Cup game.They became the only team in World Cup history to score 8 goals or more in back-to-back games after a crushing 8-3 victory against West Germany. Hungary then went on to defeat Brazil 4-2 in the quarter-finals and Uruguay 4-2 in the semi's. They met West Germany for the second time in the finals.Hungary took a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes in the rain plagued final, but failed to hold on to it as Germans tied the game 2-2 before the 20 minute mark. Germans scored the winner in second half to beat Hungary 3-2, making it one of the greatest comeback in a World Cup final game. Hungary’s 27 goals still stands as a tournament record as no other team has reached 20 since 1958.
7.Uruguay, 1930
Uruguay is one of the team to win the tournament as a hosting nation. They defeated Peru 1-0 and Romania 4-0 in the group stage.Uruguay humiliated Yugoslavia by a score of 6-1 to move onto the finals against arch-rivals Argentina. Golden Boot winner Guillermo Stabile's Argentinian team led 2-1 at halftime, but Uruguay stormed back to win the finals 4-2.The final goal was scored by Hector Castro, who had lost his arms in an accident as a boy.Uruguay scored 15 goals in 4 games, winning all and conceding only three times in the tournament.
6.Brazil, 1958
The 1958 World Cup is famous for its Best Young Player Award winner, a 17 year old named Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best known as Pele. Brazil started their journey with a 3-0 win over Austria and a 2-0 win against Soviet Union, but were held on to a scoreless draw against England.Pele went onto score a hat-trick against France in a 5-2 win in the semi finals and two more goals in the finals against Sweden which Brazil also won 5-2. The future legend showed his presence as a star to the world in his very first World Cup.
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5.Argentina, 1986
Just like 58' was Pele's Tournament, 86' was Maradona's. The tournament is forever remembered for two of the most famous goals ever, scored by Diego Maradona, against England in Argentina’s 2-1 win in the quarter-finals. Maradona's first goal was a clear handball as he punched the ball into the net, but referee failed to spot his infraction and counted it as a goal.He did not admit the goal was an intentional handball, instead calling it “the hand of God.” Maradona then went onto score the ''goal of the century'' after dribbling past six England players and their keeper, Peter Shilton. He continued to dominate the tournament, leading Argentina to a 2-0 win over Belgium in the semis and guiding them to a 3-2 win against West Germany in the finals. Argentina was undefeated throughout the tournament.
4.Brazil, 2002
None of the other Brazilian teams dominated the tournament as their 2002 team.All-time World Cup top scorer Ronaldo (15 goals) scored 8 goals during the 2002 World Cup.Brazil won all seven of their games in the tournament and also set a record for the highest over-all goal difference(+14). After easily passing through group which included Turkey, Costa Rica and China , Brazil's tough test came in the shape of England in the quarter finals, as they had to come from behind to win it. Brazil edged Turkey for the second time to reach the final against favored German side, led by Oliver Kahn. They eased to a 2-0 win, as Ronaldo scored both goals in the second half. This dominant team stands among true World Cup greats.
3.France, 1998
The 16th FIFA World Cup, held in France, was comprised of 32 teams for the first time.Anticipation was high for Tournament hosts France as they never won the World Cup. France started their journey with big wins against South Africa, Saudi Arabia and Denmark in the group stage. Paraguay surprised the French by taking them to extra time in the round of 16, and only a late golden goal from Laurent Blanc saw them through.They Overcame Italy on penalties after a hard-fought scoreless draw. The incredible French team had to come from behind to beat Croatia, who stunned the world with an impressive performance, 2-1 in the semi-final. But in the final,with two goals from Zidane, they thrashed Brazil 3-0 to lift their first ever World Cup.France led the tournament with 15 goals and conceded only two.
2. Netherlands, 1974
The second team on this list to fail to win the World Cup,the Netherlands team of 1974, who revolutionized the sport with what is now called “total football.”Coach Michels took his revolutionary Total Football style of play from Ajax to the national team led by Johann Cruyff. The style of play was all about fast-paced movement, support and changing positions within a structure. Probably the greatest team never to win the World Cup as they lost twice in the finals, to West Germany in 1974 and to Argentina in 1978. Their style of play influenced many teams for decades to come, most recently Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Arsenal.
1. Brazil, 1970
The 1970 World Cup, held in Mexico, is considered as the best in the history.The Brazilian Team, led by Pele, is also the greatest to ever play in the World Cup. The tournament featured some amazing players like Jairzinho (who scored 7 goals in 6 games and became one of just two players to score in every game of World Cup tournament), Gerson, Tostao and Rivelinho. Brazil got maximum points from their tough group consisting of Czechslovakia,Romania and England.They dominated the tournament by producing some of the most exciting and dynamic play ever seen. Brazil went onto thrash Peru 4-1 in the knockout stage before crushing Italy, who produced one of their finest teams, by a score of 4-1 in the final to lift the most prestigious trophy.The Incredible Brazil team scored a total of 19 goals in the tournament.
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| Photo via National Post |
9.West Germany, 1974
Franz Beckenbauer's West Germany came from behind to defeat the incredible Dutch team of Johan Cruyff 2-1 in the final to win their second world cup in 1974.The dutch team dominated the tournament by scoring 14 goals in just 6 matches. Netherlands started the final in style by scoring before the Germans had even touched the ball. Cruyff, who started to dribble the ball from the center circle was only stopped in the penalty box by a tackle from Uli Hoeness, giving a penalty kick for the Germans with just 1 minute into the game. Paul Breitner equalized for the Germans before Gerd Muller ensured West Germany a second world cup when he scored two minutes before the break. 1974 final is regarded as one of the best finals in the world cup history.
8. Hungary, 1954
Hungary's team in 1954 failed to win the world cup but still holds many offensive records in the tournament. They entered the tournament with a four-year undefeated streak.Hungarian team led by Ferenc Puskas and Sandor Kocsis in the attack thrashed South Korea by a score of 9-0, which is still tied for the largest margin of victory in a World Cup game.They became the only team in World Cup history to score 8 goals or more in back-to-back games after a crushing 8-3 victory against West Germany. Hungary then went on to defeat Brazil 4-2 in the quarter-finals and Uruguay 4-2 in the semi's. They met West Germany for the second time in the finals.Hungary took a 2-0 lead within 10 minutes in the rain plagued final, but failed to hold on to it as Germans tied the game 2-2 before the 20 minute mark. Germans scored the winner in second half to beat Hungary 3-2, making it one of the greatest comeback in a World Cup final game. Hungary’s 27 goals still stands as a tournament record as no other team has reached 20 since 1958.
7.Uruguay, 1930
Uruguay is one of the team to win the tournament as a hosting nation. They defeated Peru 1-0 and Romania 4-0 in the group stage.Uruguay humiliated Yugoslavia by a score of 6-1 to move onto the finals against arch-rivals Argentina. Golden Boot winner Guillermo Stabile's Argentinian team led 2-1 at halftime, but Uruguay stormed back to win the finals 4-2.The final goal was scored by Hector Castro, who had lost his arms in an accident as a boy.Uruguay scored 15 goals in 4 games, winning all and conceding only three times in the tournament.
6.Brazil, 1958
The 1958 World Cup is famous for its Best Young Player Award winner, a 17 year old named Edson Arantes do Nascimento, best known as Pele. Brazil started their journey with a 3-0 win over Austria and a 2-0 win against Soviet Union, but were held on to a scoreless draw against England.Pele went onto score a hat-trick against France in a 5-2 win in the semi finals and two more goals in the finals against Sweden which Brazil also won 5-2. The future legend showed his presence as a star to the world in his very first World Cup.
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5.Argentina, 1986
Just like 58' was Pele's Tournament, 86' was Maradona's. The tournament is forever remembered for two of the most famous goals ever, scored by Diego Maradona, against England in Argentina’s 2-1 win in the quarter-finals. Maradona's first goal was a clear handball as he punched the ball into the net, but referee failed to spot his infraction and counted it as a goal.He did not admit the goal was an intentional handball, instead calling it “the hand of God.” Maradona then went onto score the ''goal of the century'' after dribbling past six England players and their keeper, Peter Shilton. He continued to dominate the tournament, leading Argentina to a 2-0 win over Belgium in the semis and guiding them to a 3-2 win against West Germany in the finals. Argentina was undefeated throughout the tournament.
4.Brazil, 2002
None of the other Brazilian teams dominated the tournament as their 2002 team.All-time World Cup top scorer Ronaldo (15 goals) scored 8 goals during the 2002 World Cup.Brazil won all seven of their games in the tournament and also set a record for the highest over-all goal difference(+14). After easily passing through group which included Turkey, Costa Rica and China , Brazil's tough test came in the shape of England in the quarter finals, as they had to come from behind to win it. Brazil edged Turkey for the second time to reach the final against favored German side, led by Oliver Kahn. They eased to a 2-0 win, as Ronaldo scored both goals in the second half. This dominant team stands among true World Cup greats.
3.France, 1998
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| Photo via Prospectmagazine.co.uk |
2. Netherlands, 1974
The second team on this list to fail to win the World Cup,the Netherlands team of 1974, who revolutionized the sport with what is now called “total football.”Coach Michels took his revolutionary Total Football style of play from Ajax to the national team led by Johann Cruyff. The style of play was all about fast-paced movement, support and changing positions within a structure. Probably the greatest team never to win the World Cup as they lost twice in the finals, to West Germany in 1974 and to Argentina in 1978. Their style of play influenced many teams for decades to come, most recently Bayern Munich, Barcelona and Arsenal.
1. Brazil, 1970
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