The best teams in World Cup history
For many football fans, the World Cup creates some of the most vivid memories that we have of the game.
Particularly for young fans, who can find themselves bewitched by a group of players from a country that isn’t even their own and end up forming an allegiance for life.
Here, 90min delves back into the archives to look at the best World Cup teams to ever grace the competition.
The Germany team that won the 2014 World Cup in Brazil cemented so many stereotypes about German teams – they were ruthlessly efficient and a very well oiled machine.
After beating Portugal 4-0 in the group stages before knocking France out in the quarter-finals, Germany tore apart and embarrassed hosts Brazil 7-1 in a semi-final for the ages. Not content with that, they saw off Argentina in the final thanks to a stunning extra-time goal from Mario Gotze.
Key players in this team included Thomas Muller, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos and Mesut Ozil.
Every football fan has used the phrase ‚total football‘ at least once when their team produces a flowing move, and this Netherlands side were the originators.
Captained by the legendary Johan Cruyff and coached by Rinus Michels, the ’74 edition of the Dutch played beautiful and revolutionary football on their way to the final in West Germany
They knocked out Argentina and Brazil during the tournament, but could not quite secure the trophy against the hosts.
Brazil’s 2002 team proved to be culturally significant thanks to a number of incredible players. The likes of Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo, Kaka, Roberto Carlos and Cafu became heroes to millions.
They won seven games on their way to glory in South Korea and Japan, scoring 18 times and beating Germany 2-0 in the final.
These are the players you’d pretend to be on the playground at school.
The 1954 Hungary side is one that has stood the test of time in regard to public opinion.
The headline act from the team was Ferenc Puskas, which is who the Puskas award is named after. He was joined by Sandor Kocsis, Nandor Hidegkuti and Joszef Bozsik as the key players.
They did not manage to win the tournament in Switzerland, losing the final to West Germany, but they were breathtaking to watch throughout.
Argentina’s World Cup triumph in 1986, for many, was down to the outrageous brilliance of Diego Maradona – as well as a rather handily placed hand.
Jorge Luis Burruchaga and Oscar Ruggeri were other high profile stars for the Albiceleste, but this tournament was all about Maradona. His moment of utter brilliance against England – yes, that weaving, jinking run that sent defenders sprawling – is still revered as one of the greatest goals ever scored, and was the moment he secured God-like status in the South American country.
The less said about the other goal in that game, the better…
Italy are an unusual example of a legendary World Cup side because they actually drew their three group stage games but still advanced.
In the next group stage (as the tournament had a different format back then), they beat both Argentina and Brazil, two of the favourites.
The Azzurri then beat Poland and West Germany to win the World Cup, spearheaded in Spain by some stellar performances from Golden Boot winner Paolo Rossi. In defence, Italy had legendary duo Gaetano Scirea and Franco Baresi to keep things tight.
Much like Brazil 2002, this is a France side that still holds a lot of cultural significance both in France and abroad. It featured stars such as Thierry Henry, Lillian Thuram, Marcel Desailly, Patrick Vieira and Zinedine Zidane.
Les Blues scored 15 goals and only conceded twice in seven games, and handled the pressure of a home final against Brazil with ease – running out 3-0 winners thanks to Zidane’s brace and Emmanuel Petit’s late goal.
Spain’s 2010 side are one of the most iconic in modern football although that is partly to do with winning the European Championships either side of the World Cup in South Africa.
With Xavi and Andres Iniesta pulling the strings in midfield, Spain had two of the best passers the game had ever seen, while up top they had the fearsome firepower of David Villa and Fernando Torres.
In the final against the Netherlands, Iniesta was the hero in extra-time as Spain edged to a narrow 1-0 win.
It would be remiss to give such praise to the 1974 Netherlands squad and then not include the West Germany team that beat them in the final.
Led by the irrepressible Franz Beckenbauer, they were the one team capable of overpowering the flair, flamboyance and freedom the Netherlands enjoyed under Michels‘ management, while they also had superstars of their own.
Gerd Muller remains one of the very best strikers to have ever played the game, and they also have that the likes of Paul Breitner to call upon for that added bit of class.
Frankly, there could be about four or five incarnations of Brazil worthy of being included in the list of greatest ever World Cup teams, but the 1970 side is the one that stands head and shoulders above them all.
Influenced by the likes of Pele, Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho and Tostao, there wasn’t a team that could hold a candle close to this version of the Selecao – with their 4-1 win over Italy, and that Carlos Alberto finish, one of the most replayed clips in the history of the competition.