Polaroid
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The Brazilian national team is the most successful in world football, having played at every edition of the World Cup and winning it a record 5 times in 4 different continents - Europe (1958 Sweden), South America (1962 Chile), North America (1970 Mexico and 1994 USA) and Asia (2002 South Korea-Japan).
In the first two World Cups (1930 and 1934), Brazil did not make an impression, going out in the first stage. 1938 saw the beginning of Brazil's ascendancy into prominence as Brazil finished third with Leonidas da Silva as the tournament's top scorer. After the World Cup was interrupted for a period of 12 years due to the World War, Brazil hosted the tournament in 1950 and narrowly lost out on the world crown to Uruguay after losing a match they only needed to draw. Come the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, the Brazilian team containing the likes of Nílton Santos, Djalma Santos, and Didi lost out to pre-tournament favourites Hungary in an infamous quarter-final match known as the Battle of Berne. Brazil was not to be deterred for long though. 4 years later in Sweden, Brazil defeated the host 5-2 in the final as a teenage Pele announced himself on the world stage.
1958 World Cup Final
1962 saw the return of the World Cup to South American shores, this time in Chile as Brazil sought to become the first team to successfully defend their world crown. They suffered an early setback when Pele was injured in the only the second group match. However, the depth of talent in the Brazilian side was too deep and strong to be derailed by the loss of one marquee player. With Garrincha playing a starring role, Brazil clinched their second World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia in the final.
1962 World Cup Final
After the successes of 58 and 62, Brazil had a lot to live up to in 66 with everyone at home and abroad looking to get a piece of them. However, their campaign was marred by less than ideal preparations due to federation and club politics as well as cynical tackling from opponents. Brazil won one and lost two of three matches, causing them to be eliminated in the first stage, their worst result at the World Cup since 1934.
Brazil vs Portugal 1966
The best was saved for the last - in what turned out to be Pele's last World Cup, he spearheaded what is regarded by many as the greatest team to play the game of football to triumph in Mexico 1970. With legendary luminaries such as Tostao, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto and Gerson, Brazil won all six of their games in beautiful, free-flowing fashion, including a 4-1 demolition of Italy in the final. Pele became the first and only 3-times winner of the World Cup while coach Mario Zagallo became the first man to win the World Cup as player and coach. For winning the World Cup the third time, Brazil was granted the right to retain the Jules Rimet trophy permanently.
Brazil 1970
1974 saw the emergence of a new footballing power - the Dutch and their revolutionary brand of Total Football. Brazil lost out on a place in the final after falling 2-0 to the Dutch and ultimately finished 4th.
Brazil vs Netherlands 1974
The World Cup of 1978 was hosted by their neighbour, Argentina. The two rivals played out a goalless draw in the second group stage and there was plenty of controversy when Argentina beat Peru 6-0 to progress to the final on goal difference at Brazil's expense. Brazil then beat Italy to finish 3rd.
Brazil vs Argentina 1978
To be continued...
In the first two World Cups (1930 and 1934), Brazil did not make an impression, going out in the first stage. 1938 saw the beginning of Brazil's ascendancy into prominence as Brazil finished third with Leonidas da Silva as the tournament's top scorer. After the World Cup was interrupted for a period of 12 years due to the World War, Brazil hosted the tournament in 1950 and narrowly lost out on the world crown to Uruguay after losing a match they only needed to draw. Come the 1954 World Cup in Switzerland, the Brazilian team containing the likes of Nílton Santos, Djalma Santos, and Didi lost out to pre-tournament favourites Hungary in an infamous quarter-final match known as the Battle of Berne. Brazil was not to be deterred for long though. 4 years later in Sweden, Brazil defeated the host 5-2 in the final as a teenage Pele announced himself on the world stage.
1958 World Cup Final
1962 saw the return of the World Cup to South American shores, this time in Chile as Brazil sought to become the first team to successfully defend their world crown. They suffered an early setback when Pele was injured in the only the second group match. However, the depth of talent in the Brazilian side was too deep and strong to be derailed by the loss of one marquee player. With Garrincha playing a starring role, Brazil clinched their second World Cup with a 3-1 victory over Czechoslovakia in the final.
1962 World Cup Final
After the successes of 58 and 62, Brazil had a lot to live up to in 66 with everyone at home and abroad looking to get a piece of them. However, their campaign was marred by less than ideal preparations due to federation and club politics as well as cynical tackling from opponents. Brazil won one and lost two of three matches, causing them to be eliminated in the first stage, their worst result at the World Cup since 1934.
Brazil vs Portugal 1966
The best was saved for the last - in what turned out to be Pele's last World Cup, he spearheaded what is regarded by many as the greatest team to play the game of football to triumph in Mexico 1970. With legendary luminaries such as Tostao, Rivelino, Jairzinho, Carlos Alberto and Gerson, Brazil won all six of their games in beautiful, free-flowing fashion, including a 4-1 demolition of Italy in the final. Pele became the first and only 3-times winner of the World Cup while coach Mario Zagallo became the first man to win the World Cup as player and coach. For winning the World Cup the third time, Brazil was granted the right to retain the Jules Rimet trophy permanently.
Brazil 1970
1974 saw the emergence of a new footballing power - the Dutch and their revolutionary brand of Total Football. Brazil lost out on a place in the final after falling 2-0 to the Dutch and ultimately finished 4th.
Brazil vs Netherlands 1974
The World Cup of 1978 was hosted by their neighbour, Argentina. The two rivals played out a goalless draw in the second group stage and there was plenty of controversy when Argentina beat Peru 6-0 to progress to the final on goal difference at Brazil's expense. Brazil then beat Italy to finish 3rd.
Brazil vs Argentina 1978
To be continued...