Football - Brazil

[Deuce Bigolo]

How this nation keeps winning world cups is beyond me

Their currently being humbled 4-1 by Argentina in the semis of the Olympics(which they've never won)
and have lost 5 times already in the world cup 2010 qualifiers but they will still be favourites presumably

Is it more mental paralysis from the other worlds great teams or just Brazils true ability coming to the fore when it counts?

I've not seem them truly humbled since france 98 3-0 and on that occasion it was due to them meeting their match in ZZ

[Jonone]

They don't seem to do well in the Copa America either however maybe they seem to use this and some of the world cup qualifiers as opportunities to experiment and then prioritise the world cup. You have to remember too that they went 5 world cup competitions - 74, 78, 82, 86 and 90 - before winning it again in 1994 although arguably they should have won it in 82. You can't argue with their record though .. they've come to be defined by world cups and it creates a momentum which is such that history repeats itself, as it does in less spectacular fashion with Italy.

[Deuce Bigolo]

I think from 74-90 they were defensively nieve probably epitomised by the 3-2 defeat to Italy in 82 as you pointed out.The 1-0 defeat to Argentina in 1990 semi was probably even more nieve.

As good as they were in 1994 with Romario & Bebeto shooting at will,apart from the Dutch every other team treated them like they'd won before the match had started

Good point about the Copa...even little old Mexico beat them recently

Not sure I agree that they experiment in lead up games given the expectations of the fans.More a case of playing lots of players who are individually brilliant but as a team they dont gel possibly?

When I talk about teams being in awe I think back to England 2002 facing a 10 man Brazil in the quarterfinals...to scared to go forward incase of being caught on the break.

[JamesW]

"The 1-0 defeat to Argentina in 1990 semi was probably even more nieve."


Argentina beat Italy in the 1990 semi-finals (on penalties).

The win against Brazil was two rounds earlier.

[Dave Wells]

Good glad they got beat by the Argies, now we can have aour new signing Jo back.

[scouser28]

no you cant as they have the brozen medal play off