The Football History Boys

It's amazing to think that the 2006 World Cup is already 17 years old. An outstanding tournament, many believe that the qualified nations represented the strongest selection ever to compete in football's greatest competition. Although eventually won by an excellent Italian side following a breath-taking final with a Zinedine Zidane inspired France, neither were predicted as potential champions before the World Cup began in Germany. Indeed, that role was filled by Brazil. In 2006, the South American nation had built an impressive squad full of world-class talent and were seen by most as unstoppable. However, as aforementioned, it would be Italy who lifted the trophy in Berlin...so what happened? Brazil's entry into the finals in Germany was unique. It was the first time in football history that the World Cup's defending champions had been required to enter into a qualification campaign. That said, the S elecao would make light work of their South American rivals, toppin

"Keep politics out of football" is often a phrase you hear from some corners of football. However, you can't. Football is inextricably tied to politics throughout the history of the beautiful game. One notable example of this is the 1978 World Cup, hosted and won by Argentina during a time of domestic turmoil.  @MatthewJBowen7 has investigated the tournament for us: Uruguayan author Eduardo Galeano once wrote ‘How is football like God? Each inspires devotion among believers and distrust among intellectuals.’ Substitute religion or God for politics or a specific political figure and the quote still resonates.  On the 25th of June 1978, Argentinian striker Mario Kempes slotted the ball past Dutch goalkeeper Jan Jongbloed to score the winning goal of the FIFA World Cup. The full-time whistle blew and with a score line of 3-1, Argentina was crowned champions of the world. However, despite hosting, and winning, the most prestigious sporting competition on the planet, Argentin

There are plenty of reasons why football has grown to become the world's most popular sport. The game's simplicity means it can be played by almost anyone, anywhere. Its incredible fanbases have helped to create unbeatable atmospheres, but it is arguably in the sport's unpredictability that truly sets it aside. Gareth and I have compiled a list of 10 of the Men's World Cup's greatest shocks. Covering almost 100 years of football history, the following upsets can tell us more than just what happened over the course of 90 minutes.  USA 1-0 England - 1950 This moment, the Miracle on Grass as it has been called, is a TFHB favourite. The moment the English, post-WW2, after missing the first three editions of the tournament, finally decided to join the FIFA World Cup. In 1930, 1934 and 1938, the English (and other home nations) decided that a world football competition was below them, the founders and perfectors of the beautiful game. The danger of letting that crown sli

The greatest goals in football are often judged on the artistry of a single player. Whether it is a situation of a ball that was dribbled from the halfway line, a curling free-kick, a bullet header or a thunderous strike, it always glorifies the individual. Then again, sometimes football needs a reminder of it’s humble origin, teamwork. Malaysian based football writer  @SivanJohn_ , recalls his experience of Argentina's 2006 beauty. On one afternoon in Gelsenkirchen during the 2006 FIFA World Cup, Argentina were set to play Serbia & Montenegro (S&M) in their second group game. Surprisingly S&M were a team that arrived in Germany with the most stubborn defence in the European qualifiers, so little did fans expect a hammering. S&M had topped their qualification group, which also contained Spain, by conceeding just one goal in eight matches. However, within the space of 90 minutes, that defence was about to be shredded to smithereens. Argentina, managed by José Pékerma

There are plenty of reasons why football has grown to become the world's most popular sport. The game's simplicity means it can be played by almost anyone, anywhere. Its incredible fanbases have helped to create unbeatable atmospheres, but it is arguably in the sport's unpredictability that truly sets it aside. Gareth and I have compiled a list of 10 of the Men's World Cup's greatest shocks. Covering almost 100 years of football history, the following upsets can tell us more than just what happened over the course of 90 minutes.  Cameroon 1-0 Argentina - 1990 There are not many major tournaments that provide football fans with as much gleeful nostalgia as Italia '90. Seen as a true 'turning point' in world football, the significance of the 14th World Cup should not be understated. Argentina entered the competition as holders and one of the favourites to retain the trophy, boasting a squad brimming with talent. Not only could they seemingly rely upon many

There are plenty of reasons why football has grown to become the world's most popular sport. The game's simplicity means it can be played by almost anyone, anywhere. Its incredible fanbases have helped to create unbeatable atmospheres, but it is arguably in the sport's unpredictability that truly sets it aside. Gareth and I have compiled a list of 10 of the Men's World Cup's greatest shocks. Covering almost 100 years of football history, the following upsets can tell us more than just what happened over the course of 90 minutes.  East Germany 1-0 West Germany - 1974 West Germany have a magnificent history at the FIFA World Cup, winning the competition three times before reunification in 1990, East Germany by comparison, don't. The East Germans qualified on one solitary occasion, 1974, when the competition was hosted by their political and ideological opposites and neighbours, West Germany. Following the end of the Second World War, the Soviet Union controlled th

Having made a splash by reaching the quarter-finals at EURO ’96, Croatia was seen by many as a perennial dark horse when the World Cup in France rolled around two years later. After progressing from the group stage, they would make it past Romania in the Round of 16 before causing the sensation of the tournament, knocking out Germany in the last eight. Handing them a 3-0 loss, it would be Die Mannschaft’s heaviest defeat at the World Cup in 44 years. A semi-final loss to the hosts, thanks to a brace from Lilian Thuram meant they would play the Netherlands for third place, a match they won 2-1, thanks to goals from Robert Prosinečki and Golden Boot winner Davor Šuker. Unbeknownst to all, it would take another two decades for a Croatian team to enjoy such a run again, when the side led by the likes of Luka Modrić and Mario Mandžukić took things a step further, eventually reaching the final. After defeating England in extra time in the semi-final, Croatia would succumb to France for a sec