#4 Denmark – 1995
The second and final edition of the King Fahd Cup - before being renamed as the FIFA Confederations Cup - saw Denmark pull off their second and lesser known miracle acts.
The Danes had famously won the 1992 European Championship despite failing to qualify for the tournament initially. They would take the place of war-ravaged Yugoslavia and sensationally win the tournament, becoming the most romantic story to come out of a major tournament.
Winning the European Championship would qualify the Danes to the King Fahd Cup where the participant number had risen to six. Hosts Saudi Arabia were also joined by Continental Champions Argentina, Japan, Nigeria and Mexico.
While defending Champions Argentina were favoured to retain the title, Denmark had in their ranks the greatest brothers to ever play international football together – The Laudrup brothers.
The elder Michael had famously declined to be part of the 92 Euro team, preferring to rest and proclaiming that his side had no chance of winning the Euros – only to see his brother Brian play the leading role in Denmark winning the title. This time though, the Laudrup brothers would grace the King Fahd II Stadium together.
Brian would score in Denmark’s opening game, a 2-0 victory over the hosts. The deciding group game against Mexico would finish in a 1-1 draw and a penalty shootout would decide which team made it to the final.
Michael would be one of the four Danish players to score from the spot as Denmark progressed 4-2 on penalties. Defending Champions Argentina would meet Denmark in the final, the former having edged past Nigeria on goals scored to reach the summit clash.
The Argentines would concede a penalty as early as the eight minute and poetically, Michael Laudrup would step up and calmly slot the ball past Carlos Bossio to give the Danes a 1-0 advantage. Peter Rasmussen would double the advantage in the 75th minute and the match ended 2-0 in favour of the Scandinavians, delivering them a second International title in three years.
