Every team wants to win the World Cup. The team that can lift the trophy must be the best of the best. But in World Cup history, there are several teams equipped with the most excellent players that never felt the glory of the Cup.
Hungary, 1954
The Magnificent Magyars were the hottest favorite of the tournament, thanks to the glittering performance of Ferenc Puskas, Sandro Kocsis, and Hidegkuti.
Hungary went to the game with a stunning record: unbeaten in 27 matches. In the final, they faced West Germany. However, Hungary seemed to be able to lift the most wanted trophy for the first time after leading 2-0 in the first eight minutes.
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Then, something happened, and West Germany made a comeback by winning 3-2 and clinching their first Cup. After that, Hungary scored the highest number of goals (27) in the tournament, and Sandor Kocsis won the Golden Boot after scoring 11 goals.
Portugal, 1966
Portugal shone in the 1966 World Cup in England, and one name emerged as one of the world’s most fantastic forwards of all time: Eusebio.
He single-handedly helped his country trash the defending champions Brazil 3-1 by netting a brace. Thanks to Eusebio’s four goals, Portugal trailed 3-0 against North Korea in the quarterfinals before the former made a comeback with a 5-3 win.
Portugal lost to the host England in the semis, but the Black Panther won the Golden Boot with nine goals in the tournament.
The legend passed away in January 2014 at 71.
Holland, 1974
The Netherlands came as the inventor of the total football method. All the players could play in any position. Johan Cruyff was the king of all, and his colleagues, such as Rep, Rensenbrink, and Neeskens, soon became the world’s football icons.
In the 1974 World Cup, they stunned fans with a beautiful football, especially when they won 4-0 against Argentina. Cryuff and colleagues faced old rivals West Germany in the final.
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The Rinus Michel coached team took the lead in the first minute from a penalty before Paul Breitner equalized from the white spot.
West Germany bounced back and earned their second trophy after Gerd Muller ended the Dutch team’s dream, but the world never forgets Cryuff and his teammate’s talent, legacy, and sophisticated games.
Brazil, 1982
Everyone loves the magical and good-looking Eder, charismatic Socrates, general Cerezo, Junior, Falcao, and the”White Pele”Zico.
Many considered Tele Santana’s squad a better team than the team that won the 1970 World Cup. Regardless of the 1982 World Cup result, Brazil at that time played the most incredible football that will never be forgotten.
Socrates and his colleagues were unbeaten in their first four matches and only needed a draw to advance to the semifinals, scoring 13 goals.
But Italy unexpectedly dashed their hopes, thanks to the hat-trick of Paolo Rossi, who gave Gli Azzurri a 3-2 win in one of the World Cup’s classic fixtures.
Argentina, 2006
Argentina was at its best, with Lionel Messi, Esteban Cambiasso, Juan Roman Riquelme, Gabriel Heinze, and Hernan Crespo in the squad.
Leo Messi was the youngest goalscorer in that tournament after netting one goal and booking one assist against Serbia-Montenegro.
We still remember a 24-pass goal from Cambiasso during a 6-0 win over Serbia-Montenegro and the last-minute goal from Maxi Rodriguez in round 16 against Mexico. After that, everything seemed to be perfect for the two-time world champions.
Jose Pekerman’s squad then faced hosts Germany in the quarterfinals. Again, Messi was benched, and the score was 1-1 until the match was decided on penalties.
Germany won, and both teams’ players were involved in the most embarrassing brawl after a German player mocked the visitors after Cambiasso’s penalty was blocked.
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FIFA World Cup Runners Up List
| Year | Runners Up |
|---|---|
| 1930 | Argentina |
| 1934 | Czechoslovakia |
| 1938 | Hungary |
| 1950 | Brazil |
| 1854 | Hungary |
| 1958 | Sweden |
| 1962 | Czechoslovakia |
| 1966 | West Germany |
| 1970 | Italy |
| 1974 | Netherlands |
| 1978 | Netherlands |
| 1982 | West Germany |
| 1986 | West Germany |
| 1990 | Argentina |
| 1994 | Italy |
| 1998 | Brazil |
| 2002 | Germany |
| 2006 | France |
| 2010 | Netherlands |
| 2014 | Argentina |
| 2018 | Croatia |
| 2022 | ?? |
Rhett is an Australian-born, globe trotter who is a UEFA ‘A’ Licence Soccer Coach. With his family, he has traveled and coached soccer in more than 30 countries, while attending World Cups, European Championships, and some of the biggest local derbies in the world!