We’re all Mexican fans today, aren’t we?
Their shock 1-0 win over reigning World Cup holders Germany at the weekend will probably go down as one of the biggest shocks of this year’s tournament.
Getty - Contributor You’d expect more from this lot, wouldn’t you?[/caption]
Many of us predicted the Germans to defend their title in Russia, but now we’re not even sure they’ll manage to get out of the group.
And history really isn’t on their side, as a few recent World Cup holders have completely flopped when trying to defend their title four years later.
Just look at France, Italy and Spain.
2002 – France
Reuters He can’t believe it[/caption]
At the time, it was considered one of the great World Cup shocks.
France, the reigning World champions as well as winners of Euro 2000, finished bottom of Group A without scoring a single goal.
That’s right, despite having the likes of Thierry Henry and David Trezeguet in attack, the French lost to Senegal in their opening match – courtesy of a goal from the brilliantly named Papa Bouba Diop – followed by a goalless draw to Uruguay and a 2-0 defeat to Denmark.
AFP or licensors
A thigh injury to Zinedine Zidane prevented their talisman from playing in their first two matches, and he was rushed back for their third despite not being fully fit.
Not that we’re making excuse them for them, or anything.
2010 – ItalyItaly were worthy winners in 2006, with Fabio Cannavaro captaining the Azzurri to triumph over France in Germany, although Zidane’s moment of headbutting madness in the final certainly helped.
AFP Dry your eyes, mate[/caption]
But four years later in South Africa, the Italians were dumped out of the World Cup by Slovakia and Paraguay, with even New Zealand finishing above them in their group.
In fairness, they weren’t quite as redundant as France in 2002, drawing their first match against Paraguay before losing 3-2 to Slovakia.
But over all, they finished the tournament with just two points and four goals and that’s simply not what you’d expect from that great Italy side.
2014 – SpainBy the time the 2014 World Cup rolled around, we were all well sick of Spain.
World Cup winners in 2010, they’d also won Euro 2008 and 2012, while their style of play and strength in depth changed everything we knew about football.
AP:Associated Press RVP showing ’em how it’s done[/caption]
But their terrific run came to an abrupt end in Brazil when they were humiliated in their group opener against Holland, losing 5-1 to Louis van Gaal’s stylish side.
The tiki-taka trailblazers were then stunned by Chile in their second game to well-and-truly signal the end of an era.
2018 – Germany
EPA It’s a real head-scratcher[/caption]
Of course, it’s not over for Germany just yet.
Following their defeat to Mexico, they face Sweden and then South Korea in their remaining Group F games and will surely fancy themselves to get the better of them both.
But we’re definitely not putting anymore money on them.
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