World cup final 1970

[Eck]

Watching on ESPN classic Brazil v Italy Pele not only played in this game he also refereed it.

[derby1884]

Has any national team fallen from grace as far as Brazil did between the classic 1970 version and the cynical bunch who turned up in Germany 4 years later?
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[DannyRoberts]

derby1884 wrote:

Has any national team fallen from grace as far as Brazil did between the classic 1970 version and the cynical bunch who turned up in Germany 4 years later?

Somehow the Brazil team of 1974 still managed to end up fourth !!

However the biggest rollercoaster ride (certainly over the last 15 years or so) has to be France. They alternate from World Cup Finalists to underachieving nutters every 4 years !!

[Eck]

The biggest under achievers were always Spain but now I have to say that award goes to England, they certainly have had good enough players over the last 40 years but apart from a couple of tournaments where they got to the semi's they have been hugely disappointing.They should really be winning the odd tournament,I would say that if the FA spend some serious dough to bring in one of the elite coaches in they have a chance. (i'm talking top 5 International coaches not club managers)