Brazil’s Best World Cup Moment
Brazil’s arguably more successful than any national soccer team in the world, earning a berth in all 22 World Cups, including the next one in world cup soccer 2022. They have won the tournament a record five times, and second with nine top-three finishes (only behind Germany).
Obviously, in a nation with such a rich international soccer history, it is hard to pick moments or trophies that matter more than others. It is simpler to divide success into periods, many of the events coinciding with two Golden Generations of Brazilian soccer.
Time of Pelé
Regardless of who you’re asking, Pelé is often seen as the greatest soccer player in history. Playing in four World Cups-winning three-the first in 1958. Pelé was named the tournament’s best young player as Brazil won its first Cup.
With two wins and a draw, Brazil’s trouble with England (scoreless match) was a lone blemish on the resume, Wales was also a tough test back in ‘58. That was before Pelé scored his first World Cup goal in a 1-0 win. France was next, as was Pelé’s hat trick in a 5-2 win. Advancing to the final against Sweden, it was another game which ended 5-2, Pelé ‘only’ scoring two goals.
Brazil then successfully defended its title in 1962. Pelé would only score once in that tourney, but teammates Garrincha and Vavá led in scoring, each with four goals.
In the group portion, they beat Mexico and Spain but had a scoreless draw (Czechoslovakia). In the quarterfinals and semifinals, they beat England (3-1), then Chile (4-2). In the title game against the Czechs, it was 1-1 before 20 minutes. However, Brazil scored twice after halftime en route to a 3-1 win.
However, 1966 would be a disappointing year, one of the two tournaments they didn’t make it out of the groups. It was a World Cup marked by physical play and injury to Pelé.
Brazil then exacted revenge, retaking the World Cup in 1970, with 19 goals scored compared to the previous tournament’s total of four. Jairzinho ended as the second-leading goal scorer with seven. Brazil didn’t have a defeat during the competition, with fewer than three goals only once.
They defeated Czechoslovakia, England, and Romania, in the groups, then Peru, 4-2, in the quarterfinals. Uruguay was next, 3-1 in favor of Brazil. The final saw Brazil take down the Italians by a count of 4-1. Pelé scored his last World Cup goal in the 18th minute.
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Evolution (1994 to 2002)
Brazil went through a World Cup drought after 1970. It didn’t prevail in the Cup again until 1994.
That squad is often seen as an outlier, having been a more defensive team, a less-than-exciting attack, too. They surrendered just three goals in total-one in the groups-handily beating Russia and Cameroon, then drawing against Sweden in the final match.
A struggle with the United States ended with a 1-0 Brazil win. The Brazilians then beat the Netherlands, 3-2, all the goals coming in the second half. In the semifinals, they faced Sweden, where Romário scored the only goal, earning Player of the Tournament award. The final was again against Italy and went into a penalty shootout. Brazil then won the first World Cup final match decided by penalties.
Even though the ‘98 Cup ended with Brazil finishing second to host-nation France, it was leading to the win in 2002. A massive difference compared to 1994, as the 1998 team allowed 10 goals and featured the offensive stylings of Ronaldo, chosen as the best player in the tourney
The ‘02 World Cup odds was surprising, as some of the favorites failed to advance. However, Brazil dominated. Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho announced themselves to the world, as in 15 of the team’s 18 goals. Brazil surrendered just four, going a perfect 7-0.. It was destiny, as Brazil allowed one goal (the three Rs scored all seven) in the knockouts. There were wins against Belgium, England, and Turkey, then Germany (2-0) in the final match.
Favorites in 2022
As the No. 1-ranked team in the world by FIFA, Brazil is favored to win the 2022 World Cup. The Brazilians are listed at +250 to reach the final, and +400 to hoist the trophy. It’s no surprise that every good Euro club features at least one Brazilian national team player, and some have a few.
The only issue is often many of the players don’t have the camaraderie of other national teams, which could be a disadvantage here. In the qualification tournament, there was a goal difference of 35, but is there the chemistry to win against the tougher teams across the world?
