Best Team Never To Reach World Cup Final

Having been duly corrected by Alive And Kicking, I thought this could make an interesting thread.

As far as I can see both Brasil 82 and France 82 have good claims to this reven more unwanted claim to fame. Add other candidates with supporting arguments.

Brazil 38 (or 34, can't remember - the one played in Italy). The first time the Brazilians showed Europe how great they play. If I remember right they lost to Italy in the semifinals.

Holland 1998

So difficult to say with something like this, but maybe France in 1958 could be a contender. It was a side with Kopa and Fontaine in it, and was the World Cup where Fontaine scored 13 goals in just six matches. Unsurprisingly though I haven't seen much football from this era, so I am speculating a bit.

Axeslammer wrote:Holland 1998

gone wrote:Brazil 38 (or 34, can't remember - the one played in Italy). The first time the Brazilians showed Europe how great they play. If I remember right they lost to Italy in the semifinals.

Brasil was knocked out by Spain before the quarter final round in 1934, but they did get to the semi finals in 1938. That was the one where Leonidas scored 8 in four matches, but was rested/injured for the semi-final. What does Leonidas have to do to get some respect on this board?

Uruguay still boycotted. Uruguay was a great team in the 1920s and 1930s winning the Olympic title of 1928, the last time it was a world championship of football title and the first World Cup in 1930. They boycotted 1934 and 1938 in protest at European countries ignoring the 1930 tournament, so they actually won the first two that competed in. I think the same is true of Italy.

England 1970

germany 2006

Portugal 1966

argentina 2006

There are many, but if we were to pick just one team, then it's definitely Brasil 1966.

The defending back to back champions had Pelé and Garrincha in their prime. Brasil had never lost a single game with them on the pitch. Oh we know what happened to Brasil in 1966 don't we Rouss, McCabe, and Dagnall.

Brazil where beaten fair and square by Portugal in 66
Ok, Jaime Graca went a bit overboard with the marking on Pele, but still...

Puro wrote:There are many, but if we were to pick just one team, then it's definitely Brasil 1966.

The defending back to back champions had Pelé and Garrincha in their prime. Brasil had never lost a single game with them on the pitch. Oh we know what happened to Brasil in 1966 don't we Rouss, McCabe, and Dagnall.

I keep googling these people, but find nothing but Puro's rants.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Axeslammer wrote:Holland 1998

Portugal 1966
England 1970
Brazil 1982
France 1982
Holland 1998
Argentina 2006

Axeslammer wrote:Holland 1998

I'll second that