For Brazilians, only the 1950 World Cup is more traumatic than the 1982 World Cup, hosted by Spain. The World Cup in Brazil went into football history books for coining the expression Maracanazo, or the Maracanã blow, referring to the 2-1 defeat suffered by the hosts to Uruguay in a packed-out Maracana Stadium. The 1982 … Read more
Closely watched by dictator Benito Mussolini, Italy fulfilled the double mission of projecting itself onto the international and political stage by winning the 1934 World Cup. The second World Cup organized by FIFA triggered the interest of 32 national teams. Therefore, for the first time, teams had to qualify. Despite being the host nation, even … Read more
The 1986 World Cup saw the rise of another football immortal. Until that year, Diego Armando Maradona was only an excellent Argentine midfielder with rare skill, a track record of indiscipline, and a controversial figure. However, after June 1986 in Mexico, Dieguito became a myth. For everyone, a genius with his left leg; for many, … Read more
Fascism was spreading through Europe, and the imminence of war was felt in all corners of the continent when France hosted the 1938 World Cup. The Second World War would only start in 1939, but in June the year before, a series of problems threatened the staging of the tournament. The Spanish Civil War started … Read more
When the 1990 World Cup was again hosted in Italy, 56 years after the Azzurra’s first title, a lot had changed in the country and the world too. If in 1934, winning the title under the watchful eyes of Dictator Benito Mussolini was practically a matter of life and death, the Italians were favorites in … Read more
Champions: Manchester United Runners-up: Aston Villa Champions League places: Manchester United UEFA Cup places: Aston Villa, Norwich City, Sheffield Wednesday (FA Cup finalists) Cup Winners Cup places: Arsenal Teams Promoted (from 1991/92): Ipswich Town, Middlesbrough, Blackburn Rovers Teams Relegated: Nottingham Forest, Middlesbrough, Crystal Palace Leading Scorer: Teddy Sheringham (Tottenham Hotspur) 22 goals 1992 – 1993 … Read more
Champions: Manchester United Runners-up: Blackburn Rovers Champions League places: Manchester United UEFA Cup places: Blackburn Rovers, Newcastle United, Aston Villa (League Cup) Cup Winners Cup places: Arsenal (as winners), Chelsea Promoted (from 1992/93): Newcastle United, West Ham United, Swindon Town Relegated: Swindon Town, Oldham Athletic, Sheffield United Leading scorer: Andy Cole (Newcastle United) 34 goals … Read more
The Italy 2010 World Cup squad was drawn to play in group F. This group consisted of Paraguay, New Zealand, and Slovakia. As current world champions of the 2006 winners of the World Cup, Italy was one of the favorites to go back to back. It did play out that way. After finishing with just … Read more
Champions: Blackburn Rovers Runners-up: Manchester United Champions League places: Blackburn Rovers UEFA Cup places: Manchester United, Nottingham Forest, Liverpool (League Cup), Leeds United Cup Winners Cup places: Everton Promoted (from 1993/94): Crystal Palace, Nottingham Forest, Leicester City Relegated: Ipswich Town, Leicester City, Norwich City, Crystal Palace Leading Scorer: Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers) 34 goals Premier … Read more
Champions: Manchester United Runners-up: Newcastle United Champions League places: Manchester United UEFA Cup places: Newcastle, Aston Villa (League Cup), Arsenal Cup Winners Cup places: Liverpool Promoted (from 1994/95): Middlesbrough, Bolton Wanderers Relegated: Bolton Wanderers, Queens Park Rangers, Manchester City Leading Scorer: Alan Shearer (Blackburn Rovers) 31 goals Premier League Table 1995 – 1996 Pos Team … Read more