 | « Back to article | Print this article |
PHOTOS: How defending champions have fared at the World Cup
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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.