24 teams tournament.
CHAMPION : BRAZIL.
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| BRAZIL 1994 |
Plus Cafu, right back in the Final after 21 mins. of play, instead of Jorginho, right here at the end of his rope.
Runner-up : Italy.
As in the Final. Baresi who did not take part into any knockout games was back in the 11 alongside Maldini in central defense. When Minotti entered the pitch in replacement of Parma's teammate Mussi ('37), Benarrivo switched to right-back while Minotti took the centre and Maldini took the left flank of the defence.
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| Italy 1994 |
Semi-finalist and 3rd : Sweden.
Two different lineups have to be shown in the case of Sweden. The one who faced Brazil in the semi-finals in n°1 and the one of the quarter-finals with Romania, in n°2 (making a synthesis-11 is impossible in this team's case).
Thern was absent against Romania. Schwarz was against Brazil through suspension (red card against Romania). Scwharz played in the 3rd place match against Bulgaria. Thern did not, Dahlin neither. At last, a young Henrik Larsson must be mentionned (entered against Romania, did not play against Brazil, played the third place match. A young Blomqvist made some appeaarances in the first round too but hedid not play in the k-o stages. "Veteran" Limpar entered in the third place match.
The Swedish lineups.
1) in the semi-finals.
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| Sweden 1994 (semi-finals) |
2) in the quarter-finals.
Here, Ingesson, apart from his right-midfielder role, could move on the width when Mild remained at the centre or moved on the right to compensate Ingesson's moves. Schwarz stood on left. As for Brolin, he navigated here more on the front of the attack than afterwards in the match against Brazil where he was clearly a right midfielder. He still acted here mainly on the right but also cutted in through the centre, behind the strikers.
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| Sweden 1994 (quarter-finals) |
Semi-finalist and 4th : Bulgaria.
As in the Semis against Italy.
Attention! Contrarily to a Thern who was a DM-CM and the first playmaker of his side into that Swedish team, here, Sirakov is a former forward, more of a "10" who helped defensively but not exactly in the same fashion of a Thern and did not dropped back as much as the foramentioned Swedish player, even if it is the same type of formation. Thern's always been a midfielder).
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| Bulgaria 1994 |
Quarter-finalists :
Spain :
During the competition, Spain evolved from a 4-4-2 to a 5-3-2 according to the level of difficulty that the opposition represented. If they have played together in the first match of La Seleccion in the tournament against South Korea, Sergi was finally preferred to Guerrero, the hero of the qualifications, to animate this left side, in quite a different style, as the Basque (unsatisfying since the beginning of the tournament) was an offensive midfielder or even striker (a "10"...) and Sergi a left back or left midfielder, depends on how we see things, but for sure more of a counter-attacker (and able to defend).
There has been a constant turnover in attack and Caminero was preferred to Salinas for the quarter-finals against Italy. Salinas, the only real striker of the team, made his entry at the hour of play, instead of Caminero. There was no real centre-forward in that team already, but one or two "false-9" most of the time. Nothing new in 2012 really. Goikotchea was some sort of a winger so an an attacker too (with power but also some technique) and Hierro (not a starter in the quarter-final) as well as Bakero were potentially the gunners of the team from midfield.
As for Guardiola, who was in the squad, he only appeared twice in the group stage matches.
Efficient and seducing in the qualifications, the team of Javier Clemente (31 matches without losing before the competition, record stopped at 35 during this World Cup) was more of a block composed of many defenders, some midfielders, and almost no strikers (even if Salinas was one and that Caminero and most of all Luis Enrique satisfied in this position) during the Finals.
There has been a constant turnover in attack and Caminero was preferred to Salinas for the quarter-finals against Italy. Salinas, the only real striker of the team, made his entry at the hour of play, instead of Caminero. There was no real centre-forward in that team already, but one or two "false-9" most of the time. Nothing new in 2012 really. Goikotchea was some sort of a winger so an an attacker too (with power but also some technique) and Hierro (not a starter in the quarter-final) as well as Bakero were potentially the gunners of the team from midfield.
As for Guardiola, who was in the squad, he only appeared twice in the group stage matches.
Efficient and seducing in the qualifications, the team of Javier Clemente (31 matches without losing before the competition, record stopped at 35 during this World Cup) was more of a block composed of many defenders, some midfielders, and almost no strikers (even if Salinas was one and that Caminero and most of all Luis Enrique satisfied in this position) during the Finals.
A synthesis-11 for Spain (we can also see the 3-5-2/ 5-3-2 or even 3-6-1/ 5-4-1 in it) :
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| Spain 1994 |
Then comes The Netherlands. Defeated by Belgium in the group stage but winner of Saudi Arabia and Morocco, they beat Eire in the Round of 16 thanks to two goals by Bergkamp and Jonk. Before to be eliminated by Brazil : lead by 2-nil, The Oranje managed to come back at 2-2 offering with the Auriverde one of the most best games of the competition and surely the most entertaining, in the end, in spite of the prudent tactics (Holland) or simply by the choices of men (a Brazil without any true number 10). But the eventual champion Brazil won it, all in all quite logically, even if the deliverance came from a long range-shot on free-kick. By Branco (who was replacing Leonardo, author of an agression against an American player in the round of 16, was red-carded and suspended for the rest of the competition).
Difficult to make a synthesis-11 for Holland in this competition as there was several changes of men and of organization. But the lineup that faced Brazil, with precisions about the substitutions, can give a good picture.
The experienced Wouters numerically replaced Frank de Boer for this match. The latter had played the full-match against Eire. Bryan Roy once again made an appearance from the bench but once again for few impact. He replaced Van Vossen at the 54th minute, i.e after the opener scored by Romario. 10 minutes later, Ronald de Boer was replacing Rijkaard. When it was 2-0 (Bebeto).
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| The Netherlands 1994 |
We might say that this team was at his place as a quarter-finalist. The names on the draw are one thing and the reality of the pitch another one. FYT estimates that it is first of all Spain that could have been, in fantasy, a semi-finalist instead of Sweden or Bulgaria, but without calling into question the actual results. They had a game of a complete different style against the Italians though so it is hard to compare. Still, is that Spain looked better equipped than The Netherlands when the latter shown some weaknesses collectively and individually due to a a lack of landmark (a transitional team). On the other hand Spain had not a Bergkamp always able to make the difference despite everything (Bergkamp who, by the way, sure was not always lucky to say it all but who, to go back on his neither fish nor fowl performance all in all, shown here that he lacked a bit of something to reach a higher level, i.e becoming a true leader, in addition to his undisputable talent. But he was really not helped in the conditions mentionned above. It would be a bit better 4 years later even if still not turned into a charismatic leader).
At last, amongst the quarter-finalist, Germany, holder of the title. An addition of players starving for (personal) glory and on the lookout for the slightest failure from Matthaüs, at his downhill. A sum of players with caracter. An ageing team. A crannied collective that went through the group stage thanks to a Klinsmann and eliminated the Belgians in the Round of 16 thanks to a Völler, so thanks to its two world champion strikers still able of...personal exploit. The Belgians completely missed their round of 16 game too.
So an addition of players and a variety of formations from which it is difficult to extract a synthesis-11. As with the Netherlands, let just show the team that played (and lost) in the quarter-finals. Against Bulgaria.
Hässler was moving on the width. Möller stayed central. Kohler was at the marking of Stoichkov. Helmer was another stopper and Matthaüs was the libero (positionned slightly higher than the stoppers but not running forward... actually more downwards to fully integrate and help the defense). Buchwald was the one who joined the midfield as he was chasing balls into the feet of the Bulgarian support forwards or attacking midfielders. At last, Klinsmann was turning around a Völler who was less mobile than in his earlier career and here more of a strict centre-forward.
Möller was back in the line-up, to the detriment of Sammer.Against Belgium, Matthaüs had been replaced at half-time (by former friend but not anymore, Brehme).
Hässler was moving on the width. Möller stayed central. Kohler was at the marking of Stoichkov. Helmer was another stopper and Matthaüs was the libero (positionned slightly higher than the stoppers but not running forward... actually more downwards to fully integrate and help the defense). Buchwald was the one who joined the midfield as he was chasing balls into the feet of the Bulgarian support forwards or attacking midfielders. At last, Klinsmann was turning around a Völler who was less mobile than in his earlier career and here more of a strict centre-forward.
Möller was back in the line-up, to the detriment of Sammer.Against Belgium, Matthaüs had been replaced at half-time (by former friend but not anymore, Brehme).
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| Germany 1994 |
Romania topped the Group A with a win over Colombia (3-1), a loss to Switzerland (1-4) and a win over the US team (1-0).
They then beat Argentina in the round of 16 in one of the most entertaining games (3-2) before to be eliminated by Sweden in another one of the most entertaining games (2-2, 4-5).
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| Romania 1994 |
Mihali (defender) played in the two first group stage games before to be replaced with Selymes against the USA. Both of them played against Argentina (no Raducioiu). Mihali did not play against Sweden.
Let's continue with some other teams. That's teams that reached the Round of 16.
With first, Argentina. As they lined against Romania.
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| Argentina 1994 |
Ortega's first full-game. Maradona played in the two first matches then was suspended. His friend Caniggia missed the k-o games too. He was subbed out after 25 minutes of play in the last group match against Bulgaria. He had physical problems before the tournament started and it has reappareared after two first good games from him. At last, in the category of the players who are injury-prone, Sensini. He was however well here for the game against Romania (replaced by the usual sub Medina Bello, striker, after 1 hour of play , in order to try to equalize).
Ortega was brilliant but the Hagi's team did not miss the opportunity to beat a 'seleccion' in crisis since the suspension of his talismanic player. Romania reached the quarter-finals for the first time in its history with a interesting game in sight with Sweden to eventually go further.
From the group D like Argentina and winner of this group, (before Bulgaria then Argentina), Nigeria.
New number 1 in Africa, the 'Super-Eagles' are eliminated after extra-time by Italy and a retrieved Baggio (who gives the victory to his team with a penalty-kick).
Nigeria's typical team. With the young phenomenon Okocha,' number 10' ans Siasia, more of a winger, striker. Okocha was preferred to Siasia (usually the sarter) to face Italy. He was making here, like Ortega, his first full-appearance in the tournament.
A quite technical and truely a very physical team. A '5-5 formation' : 5 defensive outfield players and 5 offensive players. And one weakness only, but damaging : the side-backs (see the game agaisnt Argentina in particular).
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| Nigeria 1994 |
At last, Belgium, Eire and Switzerland as there are specific articles for them on this blog with their respective 1994 teams included.
Belgium.
The typical or synthesis-XI : Emmers and Nilis started against Germany. Degryse did not play. Boffin came into play. Like Czerniatynski for his lone appearance into this competition.
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| Belgium 1994 |
Republic of Ireland.
Jack Charlton's era ends with a second round of 16 after Italia '90 (victory over Italy, loss to Mexico, draw game with Norway and elimination in the round of 16 by The Netherlands).
Typical starting-11. Plus McAteer, Aldridge. And Cascarino for the last 15 minutes in the tournament.
Typical starting-11. Plus McAteer, Aldridge. And Cascarino for the last 15 minutes in the tournament.
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| Eire 1994 |
Irwin played in the two first games and Kelly in the following two.
Switzerland.
The first Swiss team to ever participate into a World Cup or into a major tournament since 1966.
Typical team.
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| Switzerland 1994 |
Bickel played instead of Sutter in the round of 16 against Spain (0-3). Other player (usual sub) : Subiat. Switzerland had progressed thanks to a win over Romania (4-1) and a draw game with the United-States (1-1). They lost in the third match of groups against Colombia (0-2).
Romania (group winner) and the U.S (3rd) qualified with Switzerland. Not Colombia for whom the return to South America will be tragic with the assassination of the defender Andrés Escobar.
The Colombian team that was beaten by Romania then the United States team and beats Switzerland, finishing last of this group, the group A.
Synthesis-11. Mendoza replaced Pérez for the game against Siwtzerland. Gómez started the competition and was replaced by Gaviria for the two following matches. Gómez was at the left-hand of the central midfield contrarily to Gaviria (with Álvarez on his right, Álvarez being the 'libero of the midfield' in both cases though).
The team U.S.A that reached the round of 16 and lost 1-0 to the eventual champion Brazil.
Synthesis-11. Mendoza replaced Pérez for the game against Siwtzerland. Gómez started the competition and was replaced by Gaviria for the two following matches. Gómez was at the left-hand of the central midfield contrarily to Gaviria (with Álvarez on his right, Álvarez being the 'libero of the midfield' in both cases though).
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| Colombia 1994 |
The team U.S.A that reached the round of 16 and lost 1-0 to the eventual champion Brazil.
As they lined in the game with Brazil. They played here without their better known midfielder John Harkes missing the event through supspension (two yellow cards) and without the usual starting striker Wynalda. Of the two usual players coming from the bench (each time in the three group stage matches), Cobi Jones was this time in the starting-11. Wegerle as precedently entered the pitch during the game (after one hour of play).
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| U.S.A 1994 |
No less than 14 nations represented in this article. A bit less in each of the following ones which are linked.
See also :
World Cup lineups :
Euro Lineups : 2016 (with links to all other Euro)
African teams at the World Cup Finals : 1934-2014
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