Here is a list of how defending World Cup champions have fared Following Spain's elimination from the tournament on Wednesday.
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Defending champions who suffered early exit at group stage:
Brzail: 1966
France: 2002
Spain: 2014 |
1938 - Italy: successfully defended title
1950 - Italy: knocked out in first round
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Players from Italy and Paraguay, watch as the ball rises high into the air during their pool match in the soccer World Cup Finals, in Sao Paulo, Brazil, July 16, 1950. Italy defeated Paraguay by 2 goals to nil. [Photo/IC] |
1954 - Uruguay: lost in semifinal, lost match for third place
1958 - West Germany: lost in semifinal, lost match for third place
1962 - Brazil: successfully defended title
1966 - Brazil: lost in first round
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Eusebio of Portugal heads the ball past goalkeeper Manga to score the second goal for his team in the World Cup match against the champions, Brazil at Goodison Park, Liverpool July 19th 1966. [Photo/IC] |
1970 - England: lost in quarterfinal
1974 - Brazil: knocked out in second group stage, lost match for third place
1978 - West Germany: knocked out at second group stage
1982 - Argentina: knocked out at second group stage
1986 - Italy: knocked out in round of 16
1990 - Argentina: lost in final
1994 - Germany (had won title as West Germany): lost in quarterfinals
1998 - Brazil: lost in final
2002 - France: knocked out in first round
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French midfielder Zinedine Zidane, right, loses balance while chasing the ball with Denmark's Martin Laursen (4) during their World Cup Group A match at World Cup Stadium in Incheon, South Korea, Tuesday, June 11, 2002. [Photo/IC] |
2006 - Brazil: lost in quarterfinal
2010 - Italy: knocked out in first round
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Italy's Fabio Cannavaro waves as he leaves the pitch during the World Cup group F soccer match between Italy and New Zealand at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit, South Africa, Sunday, June 20, 2010. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. [Photo/IC] |
2014 - Spain: knocked out in first round
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Spain's Sergio Busquets reacts after missing a chance to score a goal during their 2014 World Cup Group B soccer match against Chile at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro June 18, 2014. [Photo/Agencies] |
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Italy: 1950, 2010
