Teams who failed to win a World Cup Group Stage game but Managed to Advance
Winless teams are one of the unusual stories in World Cup history when they progress from the group stage despite not winning a group match.
Throughout FIFA World cup history, there have been some unbelievable stories that made people ponder. One of them is the winless wonders. Such a term might be quite new or even not well-known but it has been proven several times.
The winless teams at the group stage often have a long shot of qualifying to the next stage, especially in the top-level competition as the World Cup. However, in football, including the most anticipated quadrennial competition, there is always room for a miracle.
So far, seven teams have demonstrated that going winless does not always mean losing your chance to advance. These unusual outcomes occurred across five different World Cup editions. Two of them managed to reach further than the second round and were even able to lift the trophy. Check out those sides with an unexpected World Cup campaign.
Winless Wonders in World Cup Finals Who Stunned the World
Uruguay (1986)
Enzo Francescoli and co were one of the teams who managed to advance by taking advantage of the old point regulation. Prior to USA 1994, winning a game only yielded two points. Uruguay collected two points from two draws against Germany and Scotland. Sadly, being hammered by Denmark 6-1 led them to a 2-7 goal aggregate, or -5 goal difference. Yet, it was enough to eliminate Hungary, their rival in becoming one of the four best third-place teams, to go through to the round of 16. The Magyars had a worse goal difference at -7 goal although they won once. Had the three-point rule for a win had been imposed, Hungary would have the one to progress at Uruguay’s expense. Unfortunately, their campaign ended immediately once Argentina defeated them 1-0 at the next stage.
Bulgaria (1986)
Bulgaria was fortunate to reach the round of 16 without securing a single win at the group stage. Like La Celeste, Borislav Mihailov and co also collected two points after holding both the reigning champions Italy, and South Korea in a 1-1 draw but lost to Albiceleste 2-0. Their goal difference was only -2. However, they would have still been through even if the three-point rule had applied as their rivals for the round of 16 spot were Uruguay and Hungary. Bulgaria had the advantage of having the best goal difference amongst the three. Unfortunately, they could not go further either as hosts Mexico knocked them out 2-0 in the second round.
The Netherlands (1990)
De Oranje won their first ever silverware in EURO 1988 and were considered favorites despite the fact that their genius manager, Rinus Michels, was no longer in charge. Yet, their games at the group stage had been disappointing. The Netherlands failed to show their quality as European Champions as they mustered three draws 1-1 versus Egypt and Ireland plus a goalless tie against England. Eventually, the talented side finished third due to losing the drawing lots to Ireland, who had the same points as them in the table. Their campaign was cut short as West Germany beat them once again 2-1 to send them home immediately.
Chile (1998)
Chile in the late 1990s was mostly famous for its forwards Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas, known as Za-Sa. . Both were crucial in getting them through the group stage. Despite only securing three points from three draws against Italy, Austria, and Cameroon, they eventually completed their mission. Apparently, lady luck smiled at La Roja since their contender, Austria, was unable to win or draw with a big score in their final group match against Italy. Nelson Acosta’s men could not eventually get past Brazil at the next stage and were trounced 4-1 in Paris.
Republic of Ireland (1990)
The Green Boys are one of the two most incredible winless wonders, as they are the only team to reach the quarterfinals without a single victory. Ireland unexpectedly shone in Italy 1990 after drawing England, Egypt, and The Netherlands, winning the drawing of lots to finish second in the standings. They defeated Romania on penalties in the round of 16 after a goalless tie. Jack Charlton’s side had to bow out at the quarterfinals as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against hosts Italy
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Italy (1982)
In world cup history, no other team reversed their dismal start to a victorious campaign more than Italy. They struggled so much in the preliminary round, they took three points from stalemates against Poland, Peru, and Cameroon. Gli Azzurri were more fortunate in scoring more goals than The Indomitable Lions, whose points tally were equal. Nonetheless, Enzo Bearzot’s men evolved into a completely new team in the knockout stage. Paulo Rossi and co got past reigning champions Argentina 2-1, won 3-2 over Brasil in the thrilling encounter, and defeated Poland 2-0 in the semifinal before getting the better of Germany 3-1 in the final. What a superb comeback of the tournament for Italy.
Honorable mention: Wales (1958)
Another team who could be included as a winless wonder was Wales in World Cup 1958. The Dragons were unbeaten in the first round after tying all three matches against Hungary, Mexico, and Sweden. They ended up amassing the same number of points as the Magyars. Yet, at that time, such a predicament had to be decided via through a playoff to determine the team to progress. Consequently, both teams squared off again and Wales came out on top. Their joy was sadly short-lived as Wales had to take on Brazil in the quarterfinals. Pele’s only goal led the Seleção to the semifinal. Nevertheless, it was a memorable journey for the debutants.