Here I am arguing with a Frenchman who insists that France between 1998-2000 is the greatest side to ever grace international football, average margin of victory 3-1. I am interested to know what people feel was the most impressive era of International football. Recently the French sides of from WC 1998 to Euro 2000 won everything in sight. Or the Beckenbauer led sides from 1966 - 1976, that won the Euro in 1972 and then won the WC in 1974. Brazil winning 1958 & 1962 World Cups. And also the memorable Brazil 1970 side. Teams that didn't win it all but will always be remembered, The Hungarian Maygar side of 1954, and also the Dutch total football side in 1974 that pounded both Brazil and Argentina by a combined score of 6-0.
1. Brazil 1958-1964 2. Hungary 1948-1956 3. West Germany 1966-1976 4. Netherlands 1974-1980 5. Brazil 1969-1972 6. Brazil 1978-1986 7. France 1980-1986 8. Italy 1934-1938 9. Argentina 1978-1986 10. West Germany 1980-1990
Uruguay 1916-1930. Anybody wants to talk about a dinasty? Seven South American championships, two olympic gold medals (back when the olympics were the only world-wide international soccer competition), and of course, the first World Cup.
I am a little surprised that France between 1998-2000 doesn't overly impress anyone on BigSoccer. I mean from 1998-2000 their average margin of victory was 3-1. Furthermore out of European teams only West Germany can claim to have won a Euro/WC in succession, although France did it vice versa. And also at WC98 they conceded a all-time tournament low 2 goals for the entire tournament, despite facing tough opponents like my Brazil, Italy, Denmark, Croatia and Paraguay. I think they merit something.
Argentina of WC 1990? They only scored 5 goals for the entire tournament. Uggghhh, they more survived at WC90, as opposed to overrawing anyone with their brand of football. They didn't even win the Copa America within that 4 year span you mentioned. Argentina of that era doesn't belong.
That´s a sign, that the late sixties and the early seventieth maybe was the most impressive football era over-all. Brasil, Germany, England, Italy, Netherlands had some of there best line-ups in history in that era, if you look at all the football hall of fames, all the top player listings it´s significant how many players from that lists played in this era. Best german team of ever in 1972, best Brasil team in 1970, best Holland team in 1974, best england team in 1966 or 1970, one of the best Italy teams in 1970. 1970 World Cup was maybe the best of all times. All the traditional powerhouses qualified to final tournament, men think on a WC with participation of Beckenbauer, Pele, Charlton and so many other top ranked ever players. Also it was a time of developing the game, 4-3-3 system, total football with offensive winger backs, offensive libero / sweeper, substitutions got allowed, yellow/red cards were established.
Brazil and France over Argentina during 1978-1986? Doesn't make a whole lot of sense since Argentina won 2 World Cups during this period.
Well, I think this is about national sides, not club football? If club football is concerned, the Dutch start-off year should be 1968/69 (with Ajax reaching the EC1 final for the first time). And I chose to end the first classic Dutch era in 1980, because that was the last major tournament they would qualify for 8 years straight, and several all-timers were still active in the Dutch '80 side. But of course it could be argued that '78 was last great year for the 70s Dutch.