rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Sports » PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup
This article was first published 10 years ago

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

June 19, 2014 17:43 IST

Image: Xabi Alonso of Spain looks on with teammates
Photographs: David Ramos/Getty Images

Defending champions Spain were eliminated from the 2014 Word Cup after losing 2-0 to Chile on Wednesday.

Following the unfortunate turn of events in Maraca, here is a list of how defending World Cup champions have fared in previous editions of the competition…

- Please click NEXT to view the list…

Catch the complete coverage of the football World Cup

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: Uruguay's players celebrate winning the 1930 World Cup
Photographs: Hulton Picture Library/ALLSPORT/Getty Images

1934 - Uruguay: declined to participate

Uruaguay had won the 1930 World Cup beating neighbours Argentina 4-2.  

But poor European attendance at the 1930 World Cup had upset the Uruguayans.

They held on tight to the grudge and decided to boycott the tournament in 1934.

1938 - Italy: successfully defended title

Italy won the 1934 World Cup beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 after extra time in the final.

Four years later, Italy travelled to France and won the World Cup again but politics and the looming spectre of war kept away a number of top nations. Italy beat Hungary 4-2 to retain the title.

Please click NEXT to view the list…

Catch the complete coverage of the football World Cup

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: Supporters of Torino FC hold a banners commemorating the Torino players who lost their lives when their plane crashed in what is known as the Superga air disaster, on the 65th anniversary of the tragedy during the Serie A match between AC Chievo Verona and Torino FC at Stadio Marc'Antonio Bentegodi on May 4, 2014 in Verona, Italy
Photographs: Mario Carlini / Iguana Press/Getty Images

1950 - Italy: knocked out in first round

When the World Cup returned after the end of World  War II, Italy failed defend their title in Brazil. Sweden's amateurs beat an Italian side still ravaged by the Superga air disaster that wiped out champions Torino the previous year.

1954 - Uruguay: lost in semi-final

Uruguay were beaten by runners-up Hungary 4-2 in the semi-final. They eventually finished fourth after losing the third-place match. 

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: Brazilian player Zito (right) celebrates scoring the second goal for Brazil during the 1962 World Cup final against Czechoslovakia in Santiago, Chile
Photographs: Keystone/Getty Images

1958 - West Germany: lost in semi-final

Defending champs West Germany lost match for third place as well. But it will be remembered as a World Cup that saw the emergence of Pele and Brazil’s taking home the title for the first time.

1962 - Brazil: successfully defended title

Brazil beat Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the final with goals from Amarildo, Zito and Vava after 1962 European Footballer of the Year Josef Masopust had put the eastern Europeans ahead.     

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: The England World Cup football team in training, Mexico City, May 1970. Wearing hats are players Emlyn Hughes (left) and Bobby Charlton
Photographs: Keystone/Hulton Archive/Getty Images

1966 - Brazil: lost in first round

Pele was again battered, this time by Bulgaria's defence in the group stages as Brazil's bid for a hat-trick faltered.

1970 - England: lost in quarter-final

England were derailed in the quarter-finals by West Germany, who gained revenge for their final defeat at Wembley four years earlier.

They beat England, who were missing Gordan Banks through illness, 3-2, despite trailing 2-0 at one stage.

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: The West Germany football team celebrate after winning the 1974 World Cup final
Photographs: Keystone/Getty Images

1974 - Brazil: knocked out in second group stage

They also, lost match for third place.

The hosts, West Germany won the competition by beating the Netherlands 2–1 in the final. The Netherlands had introduced the world to the revolutionary Total Football.

1978 - West Germany: knocked out at second group stage

They were a complete failure in the next World Cup, getting knocked out at the second stage.

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: The Italy players hold the trophy aloft after winning the 1982 World Cup final against West Germany in 1982
Photographs: Steve Powell/Allsport/Getty Images

1982 - Argentina: knocked out at second group stage

Argentina failed to replicate their performance from the previous World Cup and were forced out of the tournament in the second round.

1986 - Italy: knocked out in round of 16

Italy did well to progress to the round of 16 in the 1986 but were knocked out in the Round of 16.

The '86 World Cup was eventually won by Diego Maradona’s Argentina.

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: Diego Maradona in action during the 1986 World Cup match against South Korea in Mexico City, on June 2, 1986
Photographs: David Cannon/Allsport/Getty Images

1990 - Argentina: lost in final

Argentina lost to West Germany 0-1.

1994 - Germany (had won title as West Germany): lost in quarter-finals

Germany's wall was broken down but a unified Germany couldn't reclaim the World Cup and were out in the quarters.

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: Zinedine Zidane (right) celebrates with his France team mates after winning the 1998 World Cup final in Paris, on July 12, 1998
Photographs: Reuters

1998 - Brazil: lost in final

World Cup 1994 winners Brazil lost to Zinedine Zidane-led France 0-3.

2002 - France: knocked out in first round

France failed to provide the magic of 1998 and were knocked out in Japan in the first round itself.

 

PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup

Image: The Brazil team line up before the FIFA World Cup Germany 2006 Group F match between Japan and Brazil at the Stadium Dortmund on June 22, 2006 in Dortmund, Germany
Photographs: Jamie McDonald/Getty Images

2006 - Brazil: lost in quarter-final

It was the World Cup where ‘the orginal’ Ronaldo had broken Gerd Mueller’s record of 14 World Cup goal. It also had sensational players like Ronaldinho and Kaka. Yet, Brazil couldn’t go past the quarters.

2010 - Italy: knocked out in first round

It was the first tournament played in Africa. The Italian team played anything but like defending champions in South Africa. They were eliminated when they lost 2-3 to Slovakia.