Before Italy, these giants missed a World Cup
Italy failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup on Monday, after failing to block Sweden (0-1, 0-0). Before the Nazionale, other giants missed a World Cup.
1958: Di Stefano's Spain
Naturally Spanish, Alfredo Di Stefano, of Argentinian origin, donned the Roja jersey at the end of January 1957. Despite being the favorite of his group, Spain failed to qualify for the 1958 World Cup in Sweden. During qualifying, the inaugural defeat against Scotland is fatal. Spain will fail at one point of the Scots.
1970: Portugal of Eusebio
Portugal missed several World Cups or Euros. For the one in 1970 in Mexico, the disappointment is as huge as the reputation of the star of the team, Eusebio. The 1965 Golden Ball is a star. The Black Panther finished top scorer at the Mondial1966 with 9 goals, the Portuguese finishing in 3rd place. La Seleçao misses the playoffs. Among other disappointments, Portugal will also miss the 1998 World Cup in France, despite the golden generation of Luis Figo, Rui Costa and Joao Pinto.
1970: Argentina last good
The Argentina team, coached by Adolfo Pedernera, misses his campaign for the World Cup 70. She finished in the last place of her qualifying group behind Bolivia and Peru. The Albiceleste will not participate in the Mexican World Cup won hands down by the great Brazilian rival.
1974: the black decade of England
Captain and world champion with England in 1966, defender Bobby Moore's ambition to end his career to participate in a last World Cup, the dream shared by Buffon. In a three-way group with Poland and Wales, for only one qualifying spot, the English only win one match, and finish only in second place behind Poland. England then goes through a dark period, missing Euro 76 and World Cup 78.
1994: the nightmare of the Blues against Bulgaria
This is the famous Bulgarian nightmare, one of the darkest pages in the history of French football. The prestigious generation of Jean-Pierre Papin and Eric Cantona miss the 94 World Cup in the United States, because of defeat in extremis against Bulgaria (2-1) Emil Kostadinov.