The discussion begins at the end of every World Cup about who is the best team in soccer history. While Spain was a good team (and incredibly lucky), they are not the best of all time. This has to be proven over a longer period of time than their two year run winning the Euro Cup (barely beating Italy on penalty kicks) and the 2010 World Cup (barely beating Netherlands with offsides goal in extra time). No, they will need to win some more in the next two years to be compared to the greats.
Right off the top of my head, I have to contend that there are several Brazilian teams from different decades that were better than this mostly passing team from Spain. I would even place a few great teams from Germany, Argentina and Italy above Spain.
Here are some interesting stats and facts that you might find interesting.
Undefeated World Cup Champions
The only team to ever win all World cup qualifying matches and finals tournament matches is the great Brazil side in 1970 who won all 13 games. Spain did win all 10 of their qualifying matches but they fell on their faces in the first game of this World Cup by losing to Switzerland.
World Cup Winners that Lost a match
As for the talk of Spain being the first team to win the World Cup after losing a game in the first round, that is not correct. Argentina lost to Italy in the group stage in 1978 and went on to win it all vs Netherlands (yup, the same Dutch that lost in 2010). Argentina almost repeated this feat in 1990 when they lost in round one but made it all the way to the finals only to lose to Germany.
Longest Winning Streaks
Spain won 15 games in a row from June 26, 2008 (defeated Russia, 3-0) to June 24, 2009 (ended by United States, 0-2)
Longest Unbeaten Streaks
Brazil went 45 games without a defeat from 1993 to 1997 including the 1994 World Cup over Italy. Spain went 35 games unbeaten until the USA beat them 2-0 in 2009.
Most Wins by Club Teams
In Europe the longest record of consecutive wins on record belongs to Benfica in Portugal, including the legend that is Eusebio, who between 1971-72 and 1972-73 recorded 29 successful results in a row!
Eusebio
Other notable runs have been achieved by:
– 28 games – Dinamo Zagreb – 2007-08
– 25 games – Celtic – 2003-04
– 22 games – PSV Eindhoven – 1987-88
– 17 games – Inter – 2006-07
– 15 games – Real Madrid – 1960-61
– 15 games – Bayern Munich – 2005-06