The Greatest Team to Never Win the World Cup

Brilliantly dynamic. Oozing quality and imagination. To conclude, the Brazil 1982 World Cup squad was probably the last of its kind to pull on the yellow jerseys. The players who bought us “Joga Bonita” and the “Samba Kings” were all rolled into this one team. This was their time. This was their moment for immortality, the time for Brazil’s 1982 World Cup winners. Only it didn’t pan out that way.

The God of Football

Blessed with outrageous talent and skill this Brazil team were destined for greatness. The hype was massive leading up to the tournament. Not only had they won all their qualifying games comfortably. They also had morale-boosting “friendly” victories against Spain and West Germany, the reigning European champions…twice.

In conclusion, it was no surprise then that many suggested this was a better team than when Brazil last won the Copa Mundial back in 1970.

With Zico, arguably the best player in the world at the time, pulling the strings, they seem invincible. Socrates, Falcao, Junior, Serginho, Eder….the list of top-class players were endless.

Brazil 1982 World Cup

Brazil breezed through the first round. For the most part, they struggled against a committed Russian team before winning 2-1 with a late Eder strike. Routine victories playing expansive free-flowing football followed against Scotland and New Zealand.

The second round pitted them against Argentina and Italy. The Argentines were easily dispatched 3-1. Star player Maradona was sent off for kicking out at a Brazilian midfielder. By now Zico was fully in his stride and dictating games at his will.

Adiós Brazil

That meant all Brazil needed was a draw against Italy to reach the semi-finals. Which as we all know Brazil failed to achieve. A Rossi hat-trick and some questionable defending from the Brazilians meant defeat. The next day they were on their way home.

To summarize, Brazil full of attacking play had fallen short yet again due to their defensive naivety. Italy would go on to make the final and beat Germany 3-1 to become World Champions.

Brazil would go home with the tag of being the “Greatest Team to Never Win the World Cup”