Lionel Messi is tightly marked by the Germans during the 2014 World Cup final. AFPThe FIFA World Cup has witnessed intense battles for footballing supremacy. Onmanorama takes a look at some of the rivalries which have been part of tournament's rich history.
Argentina vs Germany
Argentina and Germany have locked horns in the final of three World Cups. Diego Maradona's Argentina pipped Germany 3-2 at the Azteca Stadium in Mexico in 1986. But Germany returned the favour in the very next edition. Andreas Brehme scored off a penalty at the Olympic Stadium in Rome as Germany prevailed 1-0 in a forgettable final. Germany edged out Lionel Messi & Co. 1-0 after extra time, thanks to a Mario Gotze special in the last World Cup. It also completed a hat-trick of triumphs for Germany over La Albiceleste in the last three editions.
The two teams have played each other seven times in the World Cup. Germany hold a 4-1 lead over the South Americans, with two matches ending in draws. However, it was the Germans who emerged on top in a tie-breaker in the 2006 quarterfinals after a 1-1 stalemate.
Brazil vs France
French maestro Zinedine Zidane, right, and Brazil's Kaka fight for possession during the 2006 World Cup quarterfinal. AFPBrazil enjoy a good record against most of the footballing nations, but they have found the going tough against France. The Selecao have met Les Blues four times in World Cups and the head-to-head record is 2-1 in favour of the latter. One game, the 1986 quarterfinal, ended in draw after extra time and the French went on to win it on penalties. Brazil thrashed France 5-2 in the semifinals of the 1958 edition en route to their maiden World Cup. The second meeting between the two took place 28 years later in Mexico. Brazil had a golden chance to win it in normal time, but Zico missed a penalty. French superstar Michael Platini and Brazilian legend Socrates failed to convert and at the end of a dramatic tie-breaker, the French booked their place in the semifinals.
The 1998 final proved to be a nightmare for Brazil as the French ran riot on home soil with Zinedine Zidane scoring off two powerful headers as they were humbled 3-0. The French inflicted more misery on Brazil in 2006 as a Thierry Henry strike sent them packing in the quarterfinals.
Germany vs Italy
Action from the 1982 World Cup final between Italy and West Germany. AFPThe Azzurri can boast of having a wonderful record against the Germans in the mega event. The two teams have met five times and the Italians lead 3-0, with two games ending in goalless draws. Italy outplayed West Germany 3-1 in the 1982 final to win the crown for the third time. The Italians have also edged out the Germans in extra time twice in the semifinals of the 1970 and 2006 editions. It's a pity that Italy failed to qualify for Russia 2018, for they would have been drawn with defending champions Germany in Group F.
England vs Germany
West Germany's goalkeeper Hans Tilkowski watches the ball bounce off the crossbar following a shot by English forward Geoff Hurst (not pictured) in the 1966 World Cup final. The referee deemed it a goal. AFPThe arch-rivals have played out some of the most thrilling games of all time. The most famous one being the 1966 final where hosts England downed West Germany 4-2 after extra time. The final at Wembley will be forever remembered for Geoff Hurst's hotly disputed goal in extra time. England went on to win 4-2 with Hurst's hat-trick firing them to their lone Wold Cup glory.
The two sides played out another thriller in a quarterfinal four years later in Mexico. However, this time the Germans came up trumps 3-2 after extra time. The next meeting was at the 1982 World Cup where the second-round match ended in a barren draw. The two teams were involved in an epic semifinal in 1990. The Germans pipped England on penalties after being locked 1-1 at the end of extra time. Germany steamrolled England 4-1 in the pre-quarterfinals of the 2010 edition to reassert their supremacy.
Diego Maradona en route to his Goal of the Century against England in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals. AFPEngland vs Argentina
Argentina and England have produced some gripping encounters. England ran up 3-1 winners in a group match of the 1962 edition and edged them 1-0 in the quarterfinals four years later. The most talked about game between the two nations took place in Mexico in 1986. The quarterfinals followed the Falklands War of 1982 fought between the two countries. Argentina won 2-1, courtesy two special goals by Maradona. The first one was the 'Hand of God' goal, while the second one was chosen as the greatest FIFA World Cup goal. Argentina edged out England on penalties in the pre-quarterfinals of the 1998 edition, while England exacted revenge in a group match four years later in Sapporo, Japan.
