BRAZIL
Nickname: Selecao
Association: Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol
Coach: Mano Menezes
Uniforms: Yellow-Blue
Captain: Lucio
Most caps: Cafu (156)
Top scorer: Pelé
The first international match: Argentina 3-0 Brazil (Buenos Aires, Argentina; August 20, 1914)
Largest win: Brazil 10-1 Bolivia (São Paulo, Brazil; 10 April 1949)
The biggest defeat: Uruguay 6-0 Brazil (Viña del Mar, Chile; 18 September 1920)
World Cup: Appearances: 18 (First in 1930) Best result: Champion, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Copa América: Appearances: 31 (First in 1916) Best result: Champion, 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007
Confederations Cup: Appearances: 6 (First in 1997) Best result: Champion, 1997, 2005, 2009 (77)
JERSEY
Record
* Brazil to carve a new record with 10 consecutive victories at the 2006 World Cup finals after beating Ghana, June 27, 2006. * Captain Brazilian Marcos Cafu, 36 years, adding a record in his career at international level to the Samba team player who most often wins in World Cup matches. After the match against Australia in Munich, Sunday, June 18, 2006, the official Cafu equal the record held by Carlos Dunga and Claudio Taffarel as the player who most often to defend Brazil in the World Cup, which is as many as 18 games. Cafu has felt the 14 victories, more than Dunga, Taffarel, and any Brazilian player. Until now, this world cup, Cafu also still holds the record for most Brazilians with a stamp, which is 148 games. Of the hundreds of parties that he only felt a whopping 19 times. This record continues to grow as Brazil's win over Ghana in the last 16. * In the game against Japan, June 22, 2006, Ronaldo equal Gerd Müller's record scorer during the World Cup with a total of 14 goals. In the final match against Ghana perdelapan, June 27, 2006, an additional goal Ronaldo make it as a record player with the most goals during the World Cup, with 15 goals.
World Cup record * 1930 - Round 1 * 1934 - Round 1 * 1938 - Ranked third * 1950 - Runner-up * 1954 - Quarterfinals * 1958 - Winner * 1962 - Winner * 1966 - Round 1 * 1970 - Winner * 1974 - Fourth place * 1978 - Ranked third * 1982 - Round 2 * 1986 - Quarterfinals * 1990 - Round 2 * 1994 - Winner * 1998 - Runner-up * 2002 - Winner * 2006 - Quarterfinals
Copa América record
* 1916 - Ranked third * 1917 - Ranked third * 1919 - Winner * 1920 - Ranked third * 1921 - Runner-up * 1922 - Winner * 1923 - Ranked fourth * 1924 - Backward * 1925 - Runner-up * 1926 to 1935 - Back * 1937 - Runner-up * 1939 - Backward * 1941 - Backward * 1942 - Ranked third * 1945 - Runner-up * 1946 - Runner-up * 1947 - Backward * 1949 - Winner * 1953 - Runner-up * 1955 - Backward * 1956 - Ranked fourth * 1957 - Runner-up * 1959 - Runner-up * 1959 - Ranked third * 1963 - Ranked fourth * 1967 - Backward * 1975 - Semifinal * 1979 - Semifinal * 1983 - Runner-up * 1987 - Round 1 * 1989 - Winner * 1991 - Runner-up * 1993 - Quarterfinals * 1995 - Runner-up * 1997 - Winner * 1999 - Winner * 2001 - Quarterfinals * 2004 - Winner * 2007 - Winner
Famous players
* * Ademir da Guia Ademir * Adriano * * Amarildo Aldair * Bauer * Bebeto * Bellini * Brito * * Careca * Cafu Carlos Alberto Carlos * * Canhoteiro Claudio Taffarel Carpegiani * * * Clodoaldo * Coutinho * Dario * Dida Dirceu * Didi * * * Djalma Santos Domingos da Guia * Dorval * Dunga Eder Edinho * * * * Everaldo Edmundo Falcao * * * Felix Feitiço * Francisco Marinho * Fred * * Friedenreich Friaça * * Garrincha Gerson Gilmar * * * Jair da Costa Júnior Jairzinho * Jorginho * * * Leandro Kaká * Leao * Leonardo * Leonidas * Muller * Luizinho * Marcio Santos * Marcos * Mauro * Moacir Santos Barbosa * Nílton * Orlando * Oscar * Pelé * Pepe * * Preguinho Piazza Rivelino * * * Roberto Carlos Rivaldo Robinho Roberto Dinamite * * * * Romario Ronaldinho Ronaldo * Santos * Serginho Chulapa Sócrates * * * * Toninho Cerezo Taffarel * Tostão * Valdir Peres * vava * Zico * Zito * * Zózimo Zizinho
Nickname: Selecao
Association: Confederacao Brasileira de Futebol
Coach: Mano Menezes
Uniforms: Yellow-Blue
Captain: Lucio
Most caps: Cafu (156)
Top scorer: Pelé
The first international match: Argentina 3-0 Brazil (Buenos Aires, Argentina; August 20, 1914)
Largest win: Brazil 10-1 Bolivia (São Paulo, Brazil; 10 April 1949)
The biggest defeat: Uruguay 6-0 Brazil (Viña del Mar, Chile; 18 September 1920)
World Cup: Appearances: 18 (First in 1930) Best result: Champion, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 2002
Copa América: Appearances: 31 (First in 1916) Best result: Champion, 1919, 1922, 1949, 1989, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2007
Confederations Cup: Appearances: 6 (First in 1997) Best result: Champion, 1997, 2005, 2009 (77)
JERSEY
Record
* Brazil to carve a new record with 10 consecutive victories at the 2006 World Cup finals after beating Ghana, June 27, 2006. * Captain Brazilian Marcos Cafu, 36 years, adding a record in his career at international level to the Samba team player who most often wins in World Cup matches. After the match against Australia in Munich, Sunday, June 18, 2006, the official Cafu equal the record held by Carlos Dunga and Claudio Taffarel as the player who most often to defend Brazil in the World Cup, which is as many as 18 games. Cafu has felt the 14 victories, more than Dunga, Taffarel, and any Brazilian player. Until now, this world cup, Cafu also still holds the record for most Brazilians with a stamp, which is 148 games. Of the hundreds of parties that he only felt a whopping 19 times. This record continues to grow as Brazil's win over Ghana in the last 16. * In the game against Japan, June 22, 2006, Ronaldo equal Gerd Müller's record scorer during the World Cup with a total of 14 goals. In the final match against Ghana perdelapan, June 27, 2006, an additional goal Ronaldo make it as a record player with the most goals during the World Cup, with 15 goals.
World Cup record * 1930 - Round 1 * 1934 - Round 1 * 1938 - Ranked third * 1950 - Runner-up * 1954 - Quarterfinals * 1958 - Winner * 1962 - Winner * 1966 - Round 1 * 1970 - Winner * 1974 - Fourth place * 1978 - Ranked third * 1982 - Round 2 * 1986 - Quarterfinals * 1990 - Round 2 * 1994 - Winner * 1998 - Runner-up * 2002 - Winner * 2006 - Quarterfinals
Copa América record
* 1916 - Ranked third * 1917 - Ranked third * 1919 - Winner * 1920 - Ranked third * 1921 - Runner-up * 1922 - Winner * 1923 - Ranked fourth * 1924 - Backward * 1925 - Runner-up * 1926 to 1935 - Back * 1937 - Runner-up * 1939 - Backward * 1941 - Backward * 1942 - Ranked third * 1945 - Runner-up * 1946 - Runner-up * 1947 - Backward * 1949 - Winner * 1953 - Runner-up * 1955 - Backward * 1956 - Ranked fourth * 1957 - Runner-up * 1959 - Runner-up * 1959 - Ranked third * 1963 - Ranked fourth * 1967 - Backward * 1975 - Semifinal * 1979 - Semifinal * 1983 - Runner-up * 1987 - Round 1 * 1989 - Winner * 1991 - Runner-up * 1993 - Quarterfinals * 1995 - Runner-up * 1997 - Winner * 1999 - Winner * 2001 - Quarterfinals * 2004 - Winner * 2007 - Winner
Famous players
* * Ademir da Guia Ademir * Adriano * * Amarildo Aldair * Bauer * Bebeto * Bellini * Brito * * Careca * Cafu Carlos Alberto Carlos * * Canhoteiro Claudio Taffarel Carpegiani * * * Clodoaldo * Coutinho * Dario * Dida Dirceu * Didi * * * Djalma Santos Domingos da Guia * Dorval * Dunga Eder Edinho * * * * Everaldo Edmundo Falcao * * * Felix Feitiço * Francisco Marinho * Fred * * Friedenreich Friaça * * Garrincha Gerson Gilmar * * * Jair da Costa Júnior Jairzinho * Jorginho * * * Leandro Kaká * Leao * Leonardo * Leonidas * Muller * Luizinho * Marcio Santos * Marcos * Mauro * Moacir Santos Barbosa * Nílton * Orlando * Oscar * Pelé * Pepe * * Preguinho Piazza Rivelino * * * Roberto Carlos Rivaldo Robinho Roberto Dinamite * * * * Romario Ronaldinho Ronaldo * Santos * Serginho Chulapa Sócrates * * * * Toninho Cerezo Taffarel * Tostão * Valdir Peres * vava * Zico * Zito * * Zózimo Zizinho
BRAZILIAN FOOTBALL HISTORY
Early history
The first match of the Brazil national football team is generally considered to be a 1914 match between a Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo select team and the English club Exeter City, held in Fluminense's stadium. Brazil won 2–0 with goals by Oswaldo Gomes and Osman, whilst others claim a 3–3 draw. In contrast to future successes, the nation's early appearances were far from brilliant, partly due to internal strife within Brazilian football over professionalism, which rendered the Brazilian Football Confederation unable to field full-strength teams.
Brazil's first match: At home against Exeter City in 1914.
Brazil's first match: At home against Exeter City in 1914.
In particular, disputes between the São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro state football federations meant that the team would not be composed of players coming from either of the federations. In both the 1930 and 1934 tournaments, Brazil were knocked out at the very first stage.But 1938 was a sign of things to come, as Brazil finished a strong third, with Leonidas da Silva finishing as the top scorer of the tournament.
Brazil hosted the 1950 FIFA World Cup which was the first tournament to be held after World War II. It is the only time Brazil has hosted the tournament to date (not counting the upcoming 2014 tournament). The 1950 tournament was unique in not having a single final, but rather a final round-robin stage of four teams; however, for all intents and purposes the deciding game between Brazil and Uruguay acted as that tournament's "final". The match was hosted at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro, watched by 199,854 people, and Brazil only needed a draw to win, but lost the match 2–1 after being 1–0 up; this match has since been known in South America as "Maracanazo". In Brazil it is called "Final Fatídica" ("fateful final").
For the 1954 FIFA World Cup, in Switzerland, the Brazilian team was almost completely renovated, so as to forget the Maracanã defeat, but still had a group of good players, including Nílton Santos, Djalma Santos, and Didi. Brazil didn't go very far though. The quarterfinals saw the favorites Hungary beat Brazil 4–2 in one of the ugliest matches in football history, which would become infamous as the Battle of Berne.
The Golden Era and Pelé (1958 to 1970)
Brazil's coach, Vicente Feola, imposed strict rules on the squad for the 1958 FIFA World Cup, held in Sweden. The players were given a list of forty things that they were not allowed to do, including wearing hats or umbrellas, smoking while wearing official clothing and talking to the press outside of allocated times. They were the only team to bring a psychologist (because the memories of 1950 still affected some players) or a dentist (for, because of their humble origins, many players had dental problems, which caused infections and also had negative impact on performance) with them, and had sent a representative to Europe to watch the qualifying matches a year before the tournament began.
Brazil national team at 1959 Copa America
Brazil were drawn in the toughest group, with England, the USSR and Austria. They beat Austria 3–0 in their first match, then drew 0–0 with England. The Brazilians had been worried about their match with the USSR who had exceptional fitness and were one of the favourites to win the tournament; their strategy was to take risks at the beginning of the match to try and score an early goal. Before the match, the leaders of the team, Bellini, Nílton Santos, and Didi, spoke to coach Vicente Feola and persuaded him to make three substitutions which were crucial for Brazil to defeat the Soviets and win the Cup: Zito, Garrincha, and Pelé would start playing against the USSR. From the kick off, they passed the ball to Garrincha who beat three players before hitting the post with a shot. They kept up the pressure relentlessly, and after three minutes which were later described as "the greatest three minutes in the history of football",[17] Vavá gave Brazil the lead. They won the match 2–0. Pelé scored the only goal of their quarter-final match against Wales, and they beat France 5–2 in the semi-final. Brazil beat the hosts Sweden, in the final 5–2, winning their first World Cup and becoming the first nation to win a World Cup title outside of its own continent. A celebrated fact was that Feola would sometimes take naps during training sessions and would sometimes close his eyes during matches, giving the impression that he was asleep. Because of this, Didi was sometimes said to be the real coach of the team, as he commanded the mid-field.
In the 1962 FIFA World Cup, Brazil got its second title with Garrincha as the star player; a mantle and responsibility bestowed upon him after regular talisman, Pelé, was injured during the first group match against Mexico and unable to play for the rest of the tournament.
In the 1966 FIFA World Cup, the preparation of the team was affected by political influences. All the major Brazilian clubs wanted their players included in the Brazilian team, to give them more exposure. In the final months of preparation, the coach Vicente Feola was working with 46 players, of which only 22 would go to England; this caused lots of internal dispute and psychological pressure. The result was that, in 1966, Brazil had their worst performance in all World Cups. Of course, another perhaps bigger issue, was that Pelé (who may have been at the height of his career) was chopped at seemingly every opportunity in the group matches.
Brazil won its third World Cup in Mexico in the 1970 FIFA World Cup. Brazil fielded what has been considered to be the best football squad ever, led by Pelé in his last World Cup final, captain Carlos Alberto, Jairzinho, Tostão, Gérson and Rivelino. After winning the Jules Rimet Trophy for the third time Brazil were allowed to keep it for good.
1974–1990
After the international retirement of Pelé and other stars, Brazil were not able to overcome Netherlands' Total Football and could not defend its title in the 1974 FIFA World Cup, finishing in fourth place, after failing to achieve victory against a strong Polish side.
The 1978 FIFA World Cup was notoriously controversial[citation needed]. In the second group stage, Brazil were competing with tournament hosts Argentina for top spot and a place in the finals. In their last group match, Brazil defeated Poland 3–1 to go top of the group with a goal difference of +5. Argentina were only on a goal difference of +2, but in their last group match, they managed, controversially[citation needed], to defeat Peru 6–0 and thus qualify for the final. Brazil were forced to settle for the third place match, where they defeated Italy 2–1.
In the 1982 FIFA World Cup, the tournament favorites Brazil easily moved through the early part of the draw, but a 3–2 defeat to Italy, in one of the classic games in finals history, eliminated them from the tournament. Paolo Rossi scored all three of Italy's goals. The seleção was defeated in the match they still refer to as the "Sarrias Disaster", a reference to the stadium's name, and Telê would be much blamed for using an attacking system while a 2–2 draw was enough. The 1982 squad, with players like Sócrates, Zico and Falcão, is remembered as one of the greatest teams to be eliminated from the World Cup.
In 1986, Telê and several players of 1982 returned to play in the World Cup hosted by Mexico. The players were older but still capable of an enchanting performance. They were troubled, however, by an injury Zico picked up before the World Cup. Incessant questions about whether and when he could play undoubtedly had some negative effect on the team. Brazil met France in the quarter-finals and the match is considered an absolute classic of "total football". Neither side deserved to lose but when Zico finally came on in the second half (with the score 1–1), and Brazil were awarded a penalty late in the game, Brazil seemed set to win. But Zico, the hero of a whole generation of Brazilian football fans, missed the penalty - and after a goalless but thoroughly exciting extra time it all came down to a penalty shoot out. There Zico managed to score from his penalty but Júlio César da Silva and Sócrates missed, and despite French captain Michel Platini sending his effort over the cross bar, Brazil nevertheless were eliminated 4–3. Memories of the afternoon at Sarria's came back to haunt the crowd.
In the 1990 FIFA World Cup, Brazil was coached by Sebastião Lazaroni, who was hardly known before the Cup and became even more anonymous afterwards. With a defensive scheme, whose main symbol was mid-fielder Dunga, and three full-backs, the team lacked creativity but made it to the second round. Against a weaker Argentinian side, the Brazilians applied heavy pressure and had numerous chances to score, but it was Claudio Caniggia who managed to find Brazil's net and eliminate them after a brilliant assist from Maradona.
More successes (1994–2002)
1994 World Cup
Brazil, to the surprise of many, went 24 years without winning a World Cup or even participating in a final. Their struggles ended at the 1994 tournament in the United States, where a solid, if unspectacular side headed by the likes of Romário, Bebeto, Dunga, Taffarel, and Jorginho won the World Cup for a then-record 4th time. Highlights of their campaign included a 1–0 victory over the hosts in the round of 16, a sensational 3–2 win over the Dutch in the quarter-finals (often cited as the game of the tournament) and a 1–0 win over the Swedes in the semis. This set up a classic confrontation, Brazil vs. Italy, in the final. After a dour and unexciting 0–0 draw, penalty kicks loomed, and when Roberto Baggio lifted his spot kick over the crossbar, Brazil were champions once again. A new era of dominance had begun.
1998 World Cup
Brazil finished runner-up in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After a very respectable campaign during which they beat Netherlands on penalties in the semi-final following a 1–1 draw with goals from Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert, the team lost to hosts France 3–0 in a problematic final game. Brazilian marking at defensive set pieces was poor, and Zinédine Zidane was able to score two headed goals from France's corner kicks. Also, Brazilian star Ronaldo suffered an epileptic seizure a few hours before the match. Many criticized the decision to reinstate Ronaldo into the starting lineup as he put on a poor performance.
2002 World Cup
Fuelled by the scintillating play of the "Three R's" (Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho), Brazil won its fifth championship at the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan. When the groups were drawn, Brazil seemed to have been lucky; Their adversaries would be Turkey, China and Costa Rica. At the end, it turned out that Turkey finished the tournament in third place. Brazil went on beating all three opponents, scoring 11 goals and conceding only three, and topping the group.
In Brazil's opening game against Turkey, Rivaldo fell to the ground clutching his face after Turkey's Hakan Ünsal had kicked the ball at his legs. Hakan Ünsal, who had already been booked, was sent off while Rivaldo jumped to his feet and continued playing. Rivaldo escaped suspension but was fined £5,180 for play-acting, he became the first player to be punished in FIFA's krackdown on "simulation" and "diving".
Next they defeated Belgium 2–0, in the round-of-16. Against England in the quarter finals, Brazil won 2–1. Ronaldinho scored the winner with a remarkable lofted free kick and also assisted teammate Rivaldo for their first goal, but was sent off for stamping on the right ankle of England's Danny Mills. The semifinal was against Turkey, which Brazil had faced in their group. Again, this match was difficult, as Brazil won 1–0 with a goal by Ronaldo. Rivaldo had scored one goal each in all five game up to this one but did not manage to hit the target in the sixth. He had seemed all set to repeat Jairzinho´s great achievement in 1970 when he scored in every game of the World Cup.
The final was between two of the most successful teams in the competition's history: Germany and Brazil. Incredibly, the teams had never played each other in the World Cup before, besides a match between Brazil and East Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn had been the tournament's best keeper, but could not maintain that level of play, as Ronaldo vanquished his France '98 demons, scoring both goals in the Brazilian 2–0 triumph.[19]
2002–2006
On June 29, 2005, Brazil won the Confederations Cup for the second time with an emphatic 4–1 victory over arch-rivals Argentina in Frankfurt, Germany.[20] They also won another championship, the 2004 Copa América in which Brazil defeated Argentina in a penalty shootout.[21] Argentina had defeated Peru in the quarterfinals, and Colombia in the semifinals. In the 2002 World Cup, Brazil made it to the final to face the powerful German squad again. The Brazilian striker Ronaldo scored two goals in the final, leaving Germany in the dust, as the experienced Brazilian captain Cafu lifted the World Cup for Brazil a fifth time.
2006 World Cup
Brazilian's coach Parreira presented a formation nicknamed "The Magic Square", based in 4 offensive players: Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaká, and Ronaldinho.
During preparation stages the team showed up some problems. Team's greatest star Ronaldo had a bad build-up, after returning from a two months injury. He also had blisters on his feet and a fever during the training matches.
Despite winning the first 2 games against Croatia (1–0) and Australia (2–0), the "Magic Square" didn't seem to work as expected and it was hard to beat the opponents defense. In the 3rd game, the coach tried a new squad with five former reserve players, including Robinho, and Cicinho. The changes were successful, as the team put a comfortable 4-1 win against Japan.
1994 World Cup
Brazil, to the surprise of many, went 24 years without winning a World Cup or even participating in a final. Their struggles ended at the 1994 tournament in the United States, where a solid, if unspectacular side headed by the likes of Romário, Bebeto, Dunga, Taffarel, and Jorginho won the World Cup for a then-record 4th time. Highlights of their campaign included a 1–0 victory over the hosts in the round of 16, a sensational 3–2 win over the Dutch in the quarter-finals (often cited as the game of the tournament) and a 1–0 win over the Swedes in the semis. This set up a classic confrontation, Brazil vs. Italy, in the final. After a dour and unexciting 0–0 draw, penalty kicks loomed, and when Roberto Baggio lifted his spot kick over the crossbar, Brazil were champions once again. A new era of dominance had begun.
1998 World Cup
Brazil finished runner-up in the 1998 FIFA World Cup. After a very respectable campaign during which they beat Netherlands on penalties in the semi-final following a 1–1 draw with goals from Ronaldo and Patrick Kluivert, the team lost to hosts France 3–0 in a problematic final game. Brazilian marking at defensive set pieces was poor, and Zinédine Zidane was able to score two headed goals from France's corner kicks. Also, Brazilian star Ronaldo suffered an epileptic seizure a few hours before the match. Many criticized the decision to reinstate Ronaldo into the starting lineup as he put on a poor performance.
2002 World Cup
Fuelled by the scintillating play of the "Three R's" (Ronaldo, Rivaldo, and Ronaldinho), Brazil won its fifth championship at the 2002 FIFA World Cup held in South Korea and Japan. When the groups were drawn, Brazil seemed to have been lucky; Their adversaries would be Turkey, China and Costa Rica. At the end, it turned out that Turkey finished the tournament in third place. Brazil went on beating all three opponents, scoring 11 goals and conceding only three, and topping the group.
In Brazil's opening game against Turkey, Rivaldo fell to the ground clutching his face after Turkey's Hakan Ünsal had kicked the ball at his legs. Hakan Ünsal, who had already been booked, was sent off while Rivaldo jumped to his feet and continued playing. Rivaldo escaped suspension but was fined £5,180 for play-acting, he became the first player to be punished in FIFA's krackdown on "simulation" and "diving".
Next they defeated Belgium 2–0, in the round-of-16. Against England in the quarter finals, Brazil won 2–1. Ronaldinho scored the winner with a remarkable lofted free kick and also assisted teammate Rivaldo for their first goal, but was sent off for stamping on the right ankle of England's Danny Mills. The semifinal was against Turkey, which Brazil had faced in their group. Again, this match was difficult, as Brazil won 1–0 with a goal by Ronaldo. Rivaldo had scored one goal each in all five game up to this one but did not manage to hit the target in the sixth. He had seemed all set to repeat Jairzinho´s great achievement in 1970 when he scored in every game of the World Cup.
The final was between two of the most successful teams in the competition's history: Germany and Brazil. Incredibly, the teams had never played each other in the World Cup before, besides a match between Brazil and East Germany in the 1974 FIFA World Cup. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn had been the tournament's best keeper, but could not maintain that level of play, as Ronaldo vanquished his France '98 demons, scoring both goals in the Brazilian 2–0 triumph.[19]
2002–2006
On June 29, 2005, Brazil won the Confederations Cup for the second time with an emphatic 4–1 victory over arch-rivals Argentina in Frankfurt, Germany.[20] They also won another championship, the 2004 Copa América in which Brazil defeated Argentina in a penalty shootout.[21] Argentina had defeated Peru in the quarterfinals, and Colombia in the semifinals. In the 2002 World Cup, Brazil made it to the final to face the powerful German squad again. The Brazilian striker Ronaldo scored two goals in the final, leaving Germany in the dust, as the experienced Brazilian captain Cafu lifted the World Cup for Brazil a fifth time.
2006 World Cup
Brazilian's coach Parreira presented a formation nicknamed "The Magic Square", based in 4 offensive players: Ronaldo, Adriano, Kaká, and Ronaldinho.
During preparation stages the team showed up some problems. Team's greatest star Ronaldo had a bad build-up, after returning from a two months injury. He also had blisters on his feet and a fever during the training matches.
Despite winning the first 2 games against Croatia (1–0) and Australia (2–0), the "Magic Square" didn't seem to work as expected and it was hard to beat the opponents defense. In the 3rd game, the coach tried a new squad with five former reserve players, including Robinho, and Cicinho. The changes were successful, as the team put a comfortable 4-1 win against Japan.
The Brazilian squad preparing for the World Cup in Weggis, Switzerland.
During the second round, they defeated Ghana 3–0. However, Brazil was eliminated in the quarterfinals against France by a score of 1–0. France was led by a rejuvenated Zinédine Zidane and by a strong defence which kept the Brazilian strikers under check for the duration of the game. Brazil were shut out, attempting just one shot at French goalkeeper Fabien Barthez. The game was also notable for being the first time that the Brazil team had been shut out in consecutive matches against a particular team. France now has a 2–1–1 all-time record against Brazil in World Cup play.
After elimination, the team was largely criticized by the press and the fans. The media circulated images from the left wingback Roberto Carlos tying his shoes while Henry runs unmarked to score the winning goal. The sporting legend Pelé, blamed coach Parreira and Ronaldinho for the team's early elimination.
After the 2006 World Cup
1994 World Cup champion Dunga was hired as Brazil's new team coach on July 24.Dunga's former teammate, Jorginho was hired as his assistant. His first match in charge was against Norway which was played in Oslo on August 16, ended in a 1–1 draw. His second match was held against arch rivals Argentina on September 3 in Arsenal's new Emirates Stadium in London, in which Brazil defeated Argentina by a 3–0 scoreline. On September 5 they defeated Wales 2–0 at Tottenham Hotspur's White Hart Lane ground. They later defeated Kuwait club Al-Kuwait 4–0, Ecuador 2–1 and had a 2–1 away win against Switzerland.
Dunga's first defeat as Brazil's coach occurred on February 6, 2007 in a friendly match against Portugal, which at that time was coached by former Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari. Respectively on March 24 and March 27, 2007, Brazil bounced back from their first defeat under Dunga with wins in friendly matches against Chile (4–0) and Ghana (1–0) in Sweden.
Unlike Parreira, Dunga has focused on the task of deemphasizing all players and treating them as equals. He did not just look for players in popular clubs such as Milan, Barcelona, Real Madrid, etc., but looked at the whole scope of Europe, finding individual talents such as Vágner Love and Dudu Cearense who were playing for Russian club CSKA Moscow and Elano who was playing for Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk. Of the four players who was dubbed as Magic Quartet, Ronaldinho and Kaká were the only players who had a regular place in the Brazil squad. Adriano was called back in the squad for a friendly against Portugal in February 2007, which Brazil lost 0–2. Dunga is yet to select the last member of the Magic Quartet, Ronaldo. Instead, Luís Fabiano has made the majority of appearances at striker.
Copa América 2007
Brazil participated in the Copa América 2007 which was hosted by Venezuela. They were placed in Group B with Mexico, Ecuador, and Chile. Brazil surprisingly lost to Mexico 2–0 in their opening match, then bounced back with a comfortable 3–0 victory over Chile with three goals from Robinho, and won 1–0 against Ecuador, Robinho scoring on a penalty kick. They advanced to the quarter-finals, where they defeated Chile again 6–1. The semi-final was against Uruguay, after a 2–2 draw, Brazil won 5–4 on penalties. Their opponent in the final was Argentina, which were the favorites to win, having won all their matches on the way to the final. However Brazil scored early in the 4th minute when Júlio Baptista scored, and then in the 45th minute, defender Roberto Ayala scored on an own goal. Later in the second half, in the 69th minute, substitute Dani Alves scored Brazil's third goal, as the scoreline became 3–0. After the tournament, Robinho was awarded the Golden Boot in addition to being named the best player in the tournament.
2009 FIFA Confederations Cup
The Brazilian team won the 2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in South Africa. Although they started with a shaky victory over Egypt with a 4–3 win with a last minute penalty as Egypt is also credited as the only African team to score three goals against Brazil, they comfortably beat the USA, as well as Italy, both with a 3–0 scoreline. After beating South Africa in the semi-final with a late free kick, they went on to a rematch against USA in the final which they won 3–2, after coming in 2–0 down at half-time, to seal their third Confederations Cup title.[29] Kaká was named as the player of the tournament and Luís Fabiano won the top goalscorer award with five goals in five matches.
2010 FIFA World Cup qualification
After a 3-1 victory over Argentina in Rosario, on September 5, 2009, Brazil qualified for the 2010 FIFA World Cup
Skuad
- Doni Goalkeeper - Fernando Midfielder
- Carlos Eduardo Midfielder - Cleiton Xavier Midfielder
1 Julio César Goalkeeper - Mineiro Midfielder
12 Victor Goalkeeper - Fabio Henrique Simplicio Midfielder
23 Gomes Goalkeeper - Mancini Midfielder
- Alex Defender - Ronaldinho Striker
- Michel Bastos Midfielder - Diego Souza Midfielder
- Marcelo Defender - Diego Midfielder
- Naldo Defender - Anderson Midfielder
- Alex Silva Defender 5 Felipe Melo Midfielder
- Juan Defender 7 Elano Midfielder
- Filipe Defender 8 Gilberto Silva Midfielder
- Leonardo Defender 10 Kaká Midfielder
- André Dias Defender 17 Josué Midfielder
- Edu Dracena Defender 18 Ramires Midfielder
- Adriano Midfielder 20 Kleberson Midfielder
- Thiago Silva Defender - Hulk Striker
- Rafinha Defender - Afonso Alves Striker
- Gilberto Midfielder - Vagner Love Striker
- Renan Goalkeeper - Fred Striker
2 Maicon Defender - Rafael Sobis Striker
3 Lucio Defender - Diego Tardelli Striker
4 Juan Defender - Jo Striker
6 Kléber Defender - Grafite Striker
13 Daniel Alves Defender - Adriano Striker
14 Luisao Defender 9 Luis Fabiano Striker
15 Miranda Defender 11 Robinho Striker
15 Cris Defender 19 Julio Baptista Striker
16 Andre Santos Defender 21 Alexandre da Silva Striker
- Lucas Midfielder 22 Nilmar Striker
- Hernanes Midfielder - Dunga Manager/Coach
- Richarlyson Midfielder
- Doni Goalkeeper - Fernando Midfielder
- Carlos Eduardo Midfielder - Cleiton Xavier Midfielder
1 Julio César Goalkeeper - Mineiro Midfielder
12 Victor Goalkeeper - Fabio Henrique Simplicio Midfielder
23 Gomes Goalkeeper - Mancini Midfielder
- Alex Defender - Ronaldinho Striker
- Michel Bastos Midfielder - Diego Souza Midfielder
- Marcelo Defender - Diego Midfielder
- Naldo Defender - Anderson Midfielder
- Alex Silva Defender 5 Felipe Melo Midfielder
- Juan Defender 7 Elano Midfielder
- Filipe Defender 8 Gilberto Silva Midfielder
- Leonardo Defender 10 Kaká Midfielder
- André Dias Defender 17 Josué Midfielder
- Edu Dracena Defender 18 Ramires Midfielder
- Adriano Midfielder 20 Kleberson Midfielder
- Thiago Silva Defender - Hulk Striker
- Rafinha Defender - Afonso Alves Striker
- Gilberto Midfielder - Vagner Love Striker
- Renan Goalkeeper - Fred Striker
2 Maicon Defender - Rafael Sobis Striker
3 Lucio Defender - Diego Tardelli Striker
4 Juan Defender - Jo Striker
6 Kléber Defender - Grafite Striker
13 Daniel Alves Defender - Adriano Striker
14 Luisao Defender 9 Luis Fabiano Striker
15 Miranda Defender 11 Robinho Striker
15 Cris Defender 19 Julio Baptista Striker
16 Andre Santos Defender 21 Alexandre da Silva Striker
- Lucas Midfielder 22 Nilmar Striker
- Hernanes Midfielder - Dunga Manager/Coach
- Richarlyson Midfielder
Just sharing the beautiful moments fitting WC 1970
Overall record at finals: Played 92, Won 64, Drawn 14, Lost 14.
Best performance: Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
Most Appearances at finals: Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006) - 21.
Most goals at finals. Ronaldo (1998, 2002, 2006) - 15.
World Cup high: Becoming the first country to win three World Cups with what has been described as the world's greatest ever team in 1970. They Defeated Italy 4-1 in the finals and were the resource persons graced by an attacking line-up boasted That Pelé, Tostao, Gerson, Jairzinho and Rivelino. As close to perfection as attacking football has yet been seen.
The story so far: The team and the country most associated with the World Cup, Brazil's love affair with the greatest show on earth has been one of constant attendance. They are the only team to have played in all 19 tournaments and Their non-participation is almost unthinkable. They first showed potential in 1938 Pls Their losing in the semi-finals and unearthing a true star in Leonidas.As hosts in 1950, a nation went into traits of mourning Pls Them beat Uruguay 2-1 in the deciding match, with the result That Brazil have not worn since the white-colored shirts. It was in Sweden in 1958 That They finally lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy after unearthing Pelé and Garrincha as They Became the first team to win the World Cup in a different continent. Pelé's injury in 1962 left Garrincha as the star man and the winger, as well as Pelé's replacement, Amarildo, secured victory in Chile. The high point CAME in 1970 with the Jules Rimet Trophy claimed forever and the world dazzled by a team That won every game in Unmatched style.
The rest of the 70s were the resource persons not so glorious, although They claimed third place in 1978. Four years later, Brazil again the entertainers were the resource persons but Fell to Italian Guile in a classic second-round encounter. Mexico 86 and Italia 90 were the resource persons tales of unfulfilled promise and premature exits, but USA 94 saw Brazil, Cautious Perhaps more than before, Able to win the World Cup trophy after beating Italy on Penalties in the final in Pasadena. In 1998, They were the resource persons favorites but disaster struck in Paris amid the Infamous Ronaldo saga and They lost 3-0. Ronaldo achieved vindication in 2002, though, with two goals in the final to complete a remarkable comeback. Germany 2006 saw Them again expected to cruise to glory but malfunctioning Their superstars were the resource persons dumped out by a resurgent France.
World Cup low: Losing the finals of France 98, where star man Ronaldo played like a zombie after Suffering a fit in the hours leading up to the match. Brazil Had no answer to a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France and crashed to a 3-0 defeat.
World Cup legend: Pelé played in four World Cups and Remains the only player to have won three World Cups. He was champion for the first time as a 17-year-old at Sweden 1958. Having missed much of the 1962 tournament after Suffering an injury in Brazil's second game, and then being kicked out of the tournament after the rough-house tactics from Hungary and Portugal as Brazil exited, he secured his legend at Mexico 70, where he inspired the tournament's best-ever team, scoring in the final and Providing the assists for Carlos Alberto's wonderful goal to Clinch the 4-1 win. Overall, he played 14 games and scored a total of 12 goals.
Qualification: Brazil won the South American qualifying tournament with ease, and Could afford to lose and draw Their last two matches with Bolivia and Venezuela respectively. Coach Dunga ignored Those WHO criticised his style of play as Luis Fabiano starred in attack and Julio Cesar in goal.During Their campaign, They beat Argentina 3-1 away for the first time in 14 years, and They once again enter the finals tournament as a heavily-favored team.
Qualifying record: P18, W9, D7, L2, F33, A11, Pts34.
Most Appearances: Julio Cesar (18).
Top goalscorer: Luis Fabiano (9).
Overall record at finals: Played 92, Won 64, Drawn 14, Lost 14.
Best performance: Winners in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002.
Most Appearances at finals: Cafu (1994, 1998, 2002, 2006) - 21.
Most goals at finals. Ronaldo (1998, 2002, 2006) - 15.
World Cup high: Becoming the first country to win three World Cups with what has been described as the world's greatest ever team in 1970. They Defeated Italy 4-1 in the finals and were the resource persons graced by an attacking line-up boasted That Pelé, Tostao, Gerson, Jairzinho and Rivelino. As close to perfection as attacking football has yet been seen.
The story so far: The team and the country most associated with the World Cup, Brazil's love affair with the greatest show on earth has been one of constant attendance. They are the only team to have played in all 19 tournaments and Their non-participation is almost unthinkable. They first showed potential in 1938 Pls Their losing in the semi-finals and unearthing a true star in Leonidas.As hosts in 1950, a nation went into traits of mourning Pls Them beat Uruguay 2-1 in the deciding match, with the result That Brazil have not worn since the white-colored shirts. It was in Sweden in 1958 That They finally lifted the Jules Rimet Trophy after unearthing Pelé and Garrincha as They Became the first team to win the World Cup in a different continent. Pelé's injury in 1962 left Garrincha as the star man and the winger, as well as Pelé's replacement, Amarildo, secured victory in Chile. The high point CAME in 1970 with the Jules Rimet Trophy claimed forever and the world dazzled by a team That won every game in Unmatched style.
The rest of the 70s were the resource persons not so glorious, although They claimed third place in 1978. Four years later, Brazil again the entertainers were the resource persons but Fell to Italian Guile in a classic second-round encounter. Mexico 86 and Italia 90 were the resource persons tales of unfulfilled promise and premature exits, but USA 94 saw Brazil, Cautious Perhaps more than before, Able to win the World Cup trophy after beating Italy on Penalties in the final in Pasadena. In 1998, They were the resource persons favorites but disaster struck in Paris amid the Infamous Ronaldo saga and They lost 3-0. Ronaldo achieved vindication in 2002, though, with two goals in the final to complete a remarkable comeback. Germany 2006 saw Them again expected to cruise to glory but malfunctioning Their superstars were the resource persons dumped out by a resurgent France.
World Cup low: Losing the finals of France 98, where star man Ronaldo played like a zombie after Suffering a fit in the hours leading up to the match. Brazil Had no answer to a Zinedine Zidane-inspired France and crashed to a 3-0 defeat.
World Cup legend: Pelé played in four World Cups and Remains the only player to have won three World Cups. He was champion for the first time as a 17-year-old at Sweden 1958. Having missed much of the 1962 tournament after Suffering an injury in Brazil's second game, and then being kicked out of the tournament after the rough-house tactics from Hungary and Portugal as Brazil exited, he secured his legend at Mexico 70, where he inspired the tournament's best-ever team, scoring in the final and Providing the assists for Carlos Alberto's wonderful goal to Clinch the 4-1 win. Overall, he played 14 games and scored a total of 12 goals.
Qualification: Brazil won the South American qualifying tournament with ease, and Could afford to lose and draw Their last two matches with Bolivia and Venezuela respectively. Coach Dunga ignored Those WHO criticised his style of play as Luis Fabiano starred in attack and Julio Cesar in goal.During Their campaign, They beat Argentina 3-1 away for the first time in 14 years, and They once again enter the finals tournament as a heavily-favored team.
Qualifying record: P18, W9, D7, L2, F33, A11, Pts34.
Most Appearances: Julio Cesar (18).
Top goalscorer: Luis Fabiano (9).
