4 times a team won every match en route world cup glory

Flag of Uruguay.

Winning a football world cup is every nation's, every player ’s, every fan’s dream. It takes more than just sheer talent to win the prestigious tournament. Russia is hosting the 21st edition of FIFA world cup these days. In the previous 20 editions, only 8 nations have managed to win it showing how hard it is to win the biggest prize in football. Brazil have been the most successful nation at FIFA world cups winning 5 times.

They are followed by Italy and Germany both been the champions on four occasions. After its Argentina and Uruguay who have the trophy twice. Then its England, Spain and France who have each won the trophy once.

If winning a world cup is such a hard task imagine winning a world cup without being defeated. Of 20 world cup winners, 17 have claimed the trophy undefeated- this show what kind of dedication and determination is portrayed in order to win a world cup.

But if being undefeated is so hard then just imagine how hard it is to win all your games en route to world cup glory i.e: winning each and every game without the aide of a penalty shootout. Whenever a game goes into penalty shootout it is considered a draw on paper. Winning all games in a world cup is an extremely challenging scenario. Only 4 out of 20 times the world cup winner had won each and every game in their path to glory. ( no penalty shootouts involved)

Here are the 4 times a team won all their matches en route to world cup success:

Uruguay, 1930

The inaugural FIFA world cup was hosted by Uruguay in 1930 to commence the beautiful journey we all be a part of every 4 years. Only 12 teams took part in the first world cup of which united states of America, Yugoslavia, Argentina and Uruguay managed to reach the semi-finals.

Uruguay met Yugoslavia and Argentina squared off against the United States of America to decide the first ever finalists of FIFA world cup. Uruguay won comprehensively against Yugoslavia 6-1 whereas the scoreline in the other semifinal read the same in Argentina's favour.

Uruguay vs Argentina was the first final in world cup history. Argentina led against the hosts at halftime scoring 2 goals to 1 but Uruguay pulled 3 goals back in the second half to be crowned the first ever champions of the world. This was a repeat of 1928 Olympics final which was also won by Uruguay.

Italy, 1938

Italian national football team before match
Italian national football

The third edition of FIFA world cup was hosted in France. Italy the defending champions squared off against Hungary in the final. The Italians won the final 4-2 to retain their title and to this date are the only team to win two world cups under the same manager.

Vittorio Pozzo the man who coached the side in their triumph in 1934 was still the manager when Italy won the world cup again in 1938. What made this victory extra special was that Italy managed to win each and every game on their way to 2nd successive world cup title. On their way, they defeated the likes of Norway, hosts France, mighty Brazil before meeting Hungary in the final of the knockout tournament.

Brazil,1970

1970 World Cup Final, Mexico City, Mexico 21st June, 1970. Brazil 4 v Italy 1. Brazil's Jairzinho celebrates scoring his country's third goal with teammates L-R: Rivelino, Pele, Clodoaldo and Tostao.
1970 World Cup Final, Mexico City,
1970. Brazil 4 v Italy 1. Brazil's Jairzinho celebrates scoring his country's third goal with teammates L-R: Rivelino, Pele, Clodoaldo

Brazil the most successful nation at FIFA world cups with 5 titles to their name met Italy in the final of FIFA world cup, 1970. This was Brazil's third triumph and they did it in style winning all their games handsomely. The Brazilian side consisting of Pele, who many consider as the greatest player of all time along with the likes of Gerson, Jairzinho, Tostao and Rivellino is often considered as the greatest world cup winning sides of all time.

The competition hosted in Mexico featured 16 teams of which Brazil, Italy, West Germany(as Germany was called back then) and Uruguay managed to reach the top 4. Brazil defeated Uruguay while Italy got better of Germany to set up a juicy final. Brazil with the talent in their squad emerged victorious over the Italians with Pele opening the scoring in the 18th minute. Brazil won the match 4-1 to give their nation a third FIFA world cup title. On their way, they romped past the defending champions England in the group stage.

Brazil, 2002

Ronaldo scores
Ronaldo scores

The 2002 world cup was the 17th edition of FIFA world cup and the first one to be held in Asia. This was the last time a team had won the world cup winning all their matches. And who other than Brazil did it. The Brazilian side led by Ronaldo Nazario were the favourites for the tournament but such a dominant performance did amaze the world.

The world cup was a memorable one with Turkey and hosts South Korea reaching the semifinals something many people wouldn’t have bet on. One highlight of the tournament was Ronaldinho scoring a famous freekick goal vs England to take his team to the semi-finals.

The Brazilian side was star-studded with the likes of Cafu, Roberto Carlos, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Rivaldo and more. They ticked every department right and looked untroubled on their way to final.

Brazil met former three times champions Germany in the final of the prestigious tournament. The Germans faced the wrath of legendary striker Ronaldo Nazario who scored twice to win brazil’s fifth FIFA world cup title.

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Edited by Porush Jain