by Matthew Adams

Created on: April 09, 2009

While there have been a number of Fifa World Cups, not all World Cup winning teams were that great. Most recently, Italy maybe is not the best World Cup winning team since 1930. Then however there has been some great football teams, which have lifted the World Cup.

The Brazilian team of 1970 is a case in point. Some say, they are the best football team to have played. The team had Pele, for one thing, but then other great players like Alberto and Jarizinho. In the end, they ran out 4-1 winners in the final over Italy in a fine display of attacking play. Aside from this, they won all their games in the World Cup from the group stages through to the final, also beating the defending champions England 1-0 in the group stages.

The England team of 1966 were not bad either. True, they had home advantage to win this World Cup. However, it cannot be denied that they still had to overcome the likes of Portugal and West Germany, which they did convincingly enough. Ramsey's wingless wonders had the likes of Moore, Greaves, Banks and Charlton in a great line-up of players. England's best side, were not outmatched by Brazil in 1970 either.

While Italy teams are regarded as a little negative, few can doubt they have had some of the World Cup's best teams. In 1938, Italy would become the first team to defend the World Cup after beating the likes of Brazil & Hungary en route. This team may well have eclipsed the 34 side who won on home soil.

The only other World Cup team that have done this is Brazil in 1962. They became two time champions with a nucleus of players like Vava and Garrincha, which would provide the benchmark for others. They beat the Czechs 3-1 in the final, even without Pele. While the 58 team undoubtedly provided a football lesson to the Swedes to win 5-2, defending a trophy is harder.

In 1974 West Germany won the World Cup. This may well of been one of their best ever sides, with the likes of Muller and Beckenbauer on show. Although the Dutch could be brilliant and in the final proved tricky, but the West Germans would come out on top 2-1 to beat one of the best runners up.

It is difficult to say whether recent winners of the World Cup bear comparison to these great teams. The era of international football, 1962- 74, arguably provided some of the best teams seen on the world stage. So, probably not.

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