Sport
7 best teams who didn’t win the World Cup
When a team wins the World Cup, they are immortalized into sporting history and become cult icons to many in their homeland. What is often not talked about is the losing sides where different stories are formed over history. There have been many times when the most technically gifted teams failed to triumph on the biggest stage of them all. The end result leads to a mind-boggling stat where some of the greatest players and sides of all time never got to lift the most sought after prize in the sport. But just who are the greatest sides who didn’t win the World Cup?
7 best teams who didn’t win the World Cup
Hungary 1954
Whilst it was West Germany who won the 1954 tournament in Switzerland, they weren’t the poster boys of the time. Instead, that honour fell to the runners-up – Hungary. “The Mighty Magyars” contained some of the greatest legends of all time in that squad including Sandor Kocsis, Jozsef Bozsik and Ferenc Puskas. During the tournament, Hungary worked hard to see off tough competition in the latter stages including Brazil and defending champions Uruguay to reach the final.
Considering that Hungary destroyed West Germany 8-3 in the group stages, many thought that “The Mighty Magyars” were favourites to win the tournament. However, two goals from Helmut Rahm gave the West Germans a hard-fought victory and consigned legends such as Kocsis and Puskas to the fate of never lifting the Jules Rimet Trophy.
Portugal 1966
Whilst modern Portuguese squads have been some of the most gifted technically, they were often at the level of many of their rivals. However, their 1966 squad were trailblazers ahead of their time. Led by Mario Coluna and headlined by their powerhouse striker Eusebio, Portugal found themselves as one of the strongest outfits of the tournament in England.
Much of their success came through the efforts of Eusebio who netted 9 times in the competition although his goal in the semi-final against England came too late to prevent the hosts winning 2-1 and advancing to the final. They would finish third in the end beating the Soviet Union 2-1 and ultimately claim their best ever result in the World Cup. Undoubedly one of the best sides who didn’t win the World Cup.
Brazil 1978
Whilst they were rebuilding from the glory days of previous decades, the Brazil squad in the 1978 World Cup was still loaded with talent. Led by the technical master Zico and supported with other legendary figures like Rivelino and Reinaldo, Brazil still had all the top players to go the distance.
However, they would fall short at the penultimate step as Argentina beat them on goal difference in the second round to secure a spot in the final. Brazil would claim third spot beating Italy 2-1 in the play-off but it signaled the start of a long run without a trophy for the famous Selecao.
England 1986
English football has pined for the day they lift the World Cup for a second time yet no near miss feels quite as harsh as the one suffered by the 1986 squad. Loaded with iconic names such as Peter Shilton, John Barnes, Bryan Robson and Gary Lineker, it was a team that could destroy the very best in the tournament. It was Lineker who certainly propelled England forward into the knockout stages claiming the Golden Boot that year with 6 goals.
However, The Three Lions would ultimately fall in the last eight in the infamous match against Argentina where Diego Maradona stole the show with a controversial opener and then scoring one of the greatest World Cup goals of all time. What could’ve been….
Netherlands 1990
Whilst many see the “Total Football” pioneers of the 1970s as the greatest Dutch team ever, there is an argument to be placed about the potential of the squad in 1990. The team that travelled to Italy consisted of many of the game’s best at the time including Marco Van Basten, Ronald Koeman, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard.
However, the Dutch team woefully underperformed failing to win a game during the tournament. Mustering 3 draws in the group stages, they secured a second round match against arch-rivals West Germany. The would be knocked out 2-1 in the last 16 and fade from the spotlight showcasing one of the most disappointing performances in World Cup history from one of the best teams who didn’t win the tournament.
Italy 1994
When it came to the 1994 World Cup in the USA, it was hard to guess who would triumph in the competition. Italy took a huge squad with them containing veterans such as Franco Baresi and supporting with young stars such as Paolo Maldini and Roberto Baggio.
This blend of youth and experience worked well with Italy beating Spain, Nigeria and Bulgaria to reach the final. They faced a resurgent Brazil side and the game went to penalties. It was here where the South Americans held their nerve to deny the Italians 3-2 on penalties and deny several European stars a World Cup winning memory.
Argentina 2014
When the 2014 World Cup was announced in Brazil, many thought that a South American nation would emerge victorious from the tournament. Argentina entered the tournament with a forceful attack featuring Lionel Messi, Sergio Aguero, Carlos Tevez and Gonzalo Higuain.
It was a strike force that sliced through their opponents beating strong rivals such as Belgium and The Netherlands to set up a final with Germany. It was here though that the powerful force run out of steam as Mario Gotze scored in extra-time to give Germany the 1-0 win and extend Argentina’s extraordinary trophy drought.
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