Brazil are the most successful side in World Cup history, emerging as World Champions on five occasions. When people think of Brazil they think of the yellow shirts, passion, flair and brilliance. Although the current side under Dunga is not associated with traditional Brazilian values such as all out attack, their samba stars have been molded into a cohesive, solid defensive unit, yet still possess the requisite attacking abilities to trouble any nation.
Brazil have qualified for every single World Cup and have only ever been knocked out at the group stage on three occasions. Their five wins came in 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994 and 2002. In 1958, the world saw the emergence of Pele as they crushed hosts Sweden in the final 5-2. They successfully defended their crown in Chile by beating Czechoslovakia 3-1 in the decider. The magnificent 1970 side is heralded as the greatest World Cup side of all time. Pele was joined by the likes of Gerson, Jairzinho and Carlos Alberto. This side won every match it played, with Italy feeling the full might of this awesome side in the final, getting beaten 4-1. As it was Brazil’s third World Cup win, they were allowed keep the original version of the Jules Rimet trophy. They once again overcame Italy in the 1994 final, this time on penalty kicks. Their fifth tournament win came after a 2-0 victory in the 2002 final over Germany. Their last World Cup ended in severe disappointment as they were surprisingly beaten 1-0 by France in the second round.
Brazil have rarely ever had difficulty qualifying from South America and have always achieved successful qualification. On this occasion, it was an easy trip for this world class side who made South Africa with several games to spare. They lost only two of the eighteen matches and the highlight of their campaign was certainly a 3-1 away win against arch-rivals Argentina.
They have been drawn in a tough group, with both Portugal and Ivory Coast real threats and North Korea likely to be cannon fodder. Nonetheless, you would expect this excellent Brazilian side to make their way through, though a good start is necessary. Defensively, Brazil have always been considered as fragile with a brilliant attacking line-up covering their flaws. However, with a reliable goalkeeper in Julio Cesar, possibly the world’s finest full-back in Maicon and solid center halves like Juan and Lucio, Dunga has brought a bit of defensive steel to Brazil. They are a disciplined outfit and with attacking players like Kaka, Robinho and Luis Fabiano, they look a good bet to win their sixth World Cup in South Africa.