THE CURSE OF THE CHAMPIONS IN THE 21st CENTURY

France, Italy, Spain, Germany ...: the curse of the champions in the 21st century.

In the World Cups held in the 21st century, a curse is generalizing: that of the current champion. Four of the five teams that have defended the title have fallen in the first phase. Only Brazil was spared in the 2006 edition (reached the quarterfinals) of a bad fario suffered by France (2002), Italy (2010), Spain (2014) and, in Russia 2018, Germany. In the 20th century, only two champions fell: Italy in 1950 and Brazil in 1966. Uruguay did not participate in the 1934 edition.

England and Italy (Brazil 2014)

D turned out to be the death group at the Brazil date. Three world champions coincided in it. In addition, Costa Rica emerged as one of the surprises of that World Cup and finished first in the group ahead of Uruguay (second) and leaving Italy and England in the gutter. The transalpine only managed the three points of the victory against the British, who said goodbye to the World Cup with a draw against a Costa Rica already classified for eighth.

Portugal (Brazil 2014)

With a Cristiano Ronaldo who already had two Ballons d'Or under his belt, Germany seemed the only obstacle that could knock Portugal out of the second round. The win (4-0) conceded against Löw on the second day complicated things for the Portuguese, who then stumbled against the United States (2-2) and were unable against Ghana (2-1) to recover the goal average against to the Americans, with whom they ended up tied on points.

France (South Africa 2010)

The storm chased France in the concentration, where there was a confrontation between players and coach, the eccentric Raymond Domenech. Anelka was sent off for insulting the coach at the break of the second match, against Mexico. Gauls alone they took a point, the one obtained in the first day against Uruguay (0-0).

  

Portugal (Korea and Japan 2002)

The Figo, Rui Costa, Pauleta and company were unable to finish in the top two in a group with South Korea (one of the hosts), the United States and Poland. They only beat the Poles (4-0) and fell defeated to their other two rivals.

Argentina and the videos of Bielsa (Korea and Japan 2002)

The shadow of the Asian World Cup has been planned in Russia over Messi's Albiceleste. In fact, before the defeat (0-3) against Croatia, Argentina's last defeat in the group stage of a World Cup corresponded to this edition, where they fell 0-1 with England on the second day. After beating Nigeria (1-0) in the first match, the draw against Sweden (1-1) sent Bielsa home and his videos. The Fool had taken 7,000 tapes to Japan.

Spain (France 98)

At a time when La Roja always occupied a second rung of favorites for the great titles, but lived as a prisoner of the wall that prevented them from passing quarters, Spain experienced in France 98 one of the biggest disappointments in a great tournament. The National Team was unable to overcome the goal on Zubizarreta's own goal that cost the defeat (2-3) against Nigeria on the first day. The draw against Paraguay (0-0) on the second day left Spain's options in the clash between those two teams. The victory (1-3) of the South Americans against a Nigeria plagued with substitutes made anecdotal the defeat (6-1) of Spain to Bulgaria. Javier Clemente kept his position as coach, but two and a half months later the defeat against Cyprus (3-2) in the qualification for the Euro Cup precipitated his departure.

"NOT ALWAYS THE FAVORITES ARE THE WINNERS, ACCORDING TO A SAY THAT SAYS “YOU DO NOT WIN THE MATCHES WITHOUT GETTING OFF THE BUS, FOR MANY NAMES YOU HAVE” BECAUSE THE NAMES DO NOT GET GOALS, THE PLAYERS AND A MOTIVATED PLAYER HAVE LITTLE GODS. GIVE MORE PERFORMANCE THAN A STAR OR CRACK WITHOUT THAT REASON".