FIFA World Cup - History of Brazil

Brazil

Brazil is the most successful nation in World Cup history and the only country to have won the cup four times. They are also alone in participating in all World Cups since the start in 1930. In the early years of the competition there was no sign of them dominating, the three pre-war tournaments came and went without Brazil playing in a final. Their best result was the bronzemedal in the 1938 World Cup in France. The first tournament after the war was held in Brazil in 1950, and the Brazillians were huge favourites to win the final against Uruguay, but lost 2-1 in front of a world record (It still is) 200.000 spectators. Then in 1954 they were involved in a scandal match with Hungary in the quarterfinal. Three players were sent off in the "Battle of Berne" and Brazil lost.

Then followed twelve great years for Brazillian soccer. Most responsible for that was the great Pelé. He was picked for the squad that travelled to Sweden as a 17 year old in 1958, and what a great impact he made. Brazil beat Austria and then drew goalless with England, the first ever World Cup goalless draw, before beating the Soviet Union. In the quarterfinal against Wales, Pelé scored the winner and he followed up with a hat-trick against the popular French side in the semifinal. The hosts Sweden were opponents in the final and infact took an early lead, but Brazil came back and won 5-2. A whole world celebrated with them, it was a very popular victory.

Four years later in Chile they were favourites again, most of the players from the winning side in 58 were still there. Pelé suffered an injury early on and missed most of the tournament, but Garrincha and the man who took over for Pelé, Amarildo showed class in his absence. Brazil won all their games on their way to the final except one, a draw against Czechoslovakia, but they were opponents again in the final and this time Brazil won 3-1. Even without Pelé for the most of the tournament, Brazil won convincingly.

Pelé was back in England in 1966, but this cup was not to be his or Brazil's either. Brazil didn't progress from the groupstage, and most of the players from the glory days in 58 and 62 were gone.

The next World Cup in Mexico in 1970 is by many regarded as the best ever, and the team that won it too. Players like Jairzinho, Rivelino, Tostao, Gerson and of course Pelé put on a show for the whole world. Defending champions England were beaten in the groupstage, as were Czechoslovakia and Romania. South American neighbours Peru and Uruguay couldn't stop them in the quarter and semifinal. The stage was set for a classic final - Brazil vs Italy. Pelé, Jairzinho, Gerson and captain Carlos Alberto scored the goals in their 4-1 victory. Jairzinho became the first man to have scored in every round in the history of the cup.

That triumph ended the golden age for Brazillian soccer. Pelé retired and several others with him. The team that came to West Germany in 1974 was not of championship winning quality. It had muscle but not so much flair and skill. They ended up getting beaten by Poland in the bronzematch. Four years later in Argentina the team still hadn't improved enough to win the championship, but there were quality players around like Zico, Dirceu and Rivelino. When Argentina beat Peru by 6-0, it meant that Brazil again had to play the bronzematch. This time they ran out winners, beating Italy by 2-1. In Spain in 1982, Italy took revenge and sent a great attacking Brazillian team home in the second groupstage, after Brazil had won four games in a row and scored 13 goals. Paolo Rossi woke up and scored a hat-trick in Italy's 3-2 victory, a match Brazil only needed a draw to get through to the semifinal. In Mexico in 86, the story was much the same as in Spain. Four straight wins and then France knocked them out on penalties in the quarterfinal. Players like Zico, Socrates, Falcao, Eder and Junior would never become World Cup winners. The team that played in Italy in 1990 didn't have any of the requirements for a winning team. Argentina knocked them out in the second round already. Once again the pressure on them had been too strong.

Then in 1994 in America, it was their turn again after waiting almost a quarter of a century. Romario and Bebeto led the attack and looked unstoppable. Russia and Cameroon were easily beaten, Sweden managed a draw. Host nation USA were knocked out on their national (July 4th), with a single goal and in the quarterfinal Holland came back from being 0-2 down, but Branco's freekick put Brazil through. In the semifinal Sweden couldn't resist Brazil, and Romario scored the winner. In the final, Italy were once again the opposition, just as they were in 1970. That final produced five goals, this final produced none. A penalty shoot-out was needed in the Final for the first time ever, and Brazil won when Baggio blasted the ball over the bar.

In 1998 France arrived with a new star. Ronaldo had been in the squad in 1994 without playing. Now people expected a lot from him. Brazil beat Scotland and Morocco, before losing to Norway. Their first defeat in a first round match for 32 years. They beat Chile easily in the second round, then Denmark with 3-2 , before needing penalties to beat Holland in the semifinal. In the final itself, France proved to be too strong. They lost 3-0 and Dunga also failed to become the first captain to win the trophy twice.

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