Russia was left without several champions

RUSSIA .- Only five countries have won the World Cup more than once. And none of them will have the opportunity to enrich its record this year.

The Brazilian, five-time champion, fell the day before in the quarter-finals, as did Uruguay, twice monarch. Argentina, two-time world champion, was eliminated in the round of 16, while Germany, which has four cups in its vaults, did not survive the group stage [19659003]. Russia He was eliminated by Sweden in the elimination draft.

This is the first time in history that the semifinals of a World Cup will not include at least one of these four powers: Argentina, Brazil, Germany or Italy. Thus, the only remaining former champions are France and England. But no one can give for a fact that they will contest the finale, in what has turned out to be a rare world cup.

Recount of fallen giants in Russia.

BRAZIL

Arrived in Russia favorites, but encountered difficulties in the first phase and was eventually eliminated by Belgium, who won Friday 2-1 in Kazan.

After a gray start to the South American match, Brazil dismissed coach Dunga, who he was captain at the coronation in 1994. Tite took the position and immediately improved the results, so that Verdeamarela got her ticket for the World Cup without hurry.

Although Brazil finished first in Group E, it has never impressed. He gave only glimpses of the pace and talent of Neymar and Philippe Coutinho, but his football did not evolve as many thought.

At least the defense seemed solid, accepting only one goal before even meeting Belgium. Canarinha has now accumulated four consecutive World Cup eliminations at the hands of European rivals after being crowned for the last time in 2002.

URUGUAY

Uruguay was the first monarch of the world in 1930, and He won another title 20 years later, when he played in the famous Maracanazo in the final against Brazil.

Since this year 1950, the Uruguayans have not even reached a final. At least they came back to be frequent guests of the last stages. In 2010, they reached the semi-finals, where they fell 3-2 in the Netherlands.

This time, the team led by Óscar Washington Tabárez remained close to the round of the top four, but lost 2-0 against France. Nizhny Novgorod

Celeste was second in the game, behind Brazil. He had brilliant performances in Russia, especially in the draw that won 2-1 in Portugal in the last 16. Therefore, there were hopes that he could at least match the performance of 2010.

But in the defeat against France, Uruguay played without their star striker Edinson Cavani, injured. And a rough mistake of goalkeeper Fernando Muslera gave a goal to Antoine Griezmann

ARGENTINA

Champion in 1978 and 1986, Albiceleste arrives in Russia with whom he is perhaps the best footballer of his generation, Lionel Messi. But the reality is that few have considered a favorite to arrive for the second time in a row at the finals.

Coach Jorge Sampaoli remained a mess in the attempt to build a team that housed Messi. Argentina had difficulties in the group stage, which started with an unexpected 1-1 draw against Iceland, absolute debutant in the world.

A 3-0 suffered against Croatia triggered alarms at home, where he began to doubt The Argentine team will reach even the knockout stages. He survived with a dying goal against Nigeria.

But the poor performance in the initial phase was a cruel punishment: to face France. Kylian Mbappé takes advantage in the second round of slowness from behind, and France wins by 4-3

GERMANY

Four years ago, in Brazil he won his fourth title. The fifth opportunity was latent in Russia, especially because the team had a good run in the tie and was crowned in the Confederations Cup with another team.

But could not reach the second phase of the World Cup, something that has happened to him since 1938. His elimination in the group represented one of the biggest surprises of the tournament.

In fact, the German team had anchored at least semi-finals continuously since 2006.

Many have considered their negligent defeat the minimal difference before Mexico. Assuredly, the Mannschaft would recover, they reasoned. Against Sweden, he started losing and he needed a great Toni Kroos free kick at the last minute to win the 2-1 win.

He dropped 2-0 against South Korea

ITALY

At least all previous teams have played in the World Cup.

Italy has experienced one of the most shameful chapters in its football history, succumbing to Sweden in the tie. He had not been absent from a World Cup in 60 years.

The Italian team finished down after a decline that began shortly after winning its fourth title in 2006. In the 2010 and 2014 World Cups, it was eliminated in the group stage.