Tactics and Formations evolutions in WC history
The 2018 World Cup final is the most viewed sports event in history, with more than 3.2 billion! people, almost half of the world saw that game.
Let's talk about how football evolves and more important the tactics.
Uruguay 1930
The first World Cup took place in Uruguay, with only 13 teams, no African or Asia teams played in this edition. 3.98 (in 18 games) was the goal average per game, which is high in a football game. The formations were offensive, the fact that is the only World Cup without ties and all the matches ended in 90 minutes.
They play with 5 strikers, 3 midfielders, and only 2 defenders. This shows how the teams don’t bother defending and only want to score. Both teams won the semifinals 6–1 and as expected the final ended with 6 goals (Uruguay 4 – 2 Argentina).
France 1938
The third edition and last World Cup before stopping because of WW2 was a back-to-back for Italy. In this edition, we saw how with the same formation the tactics were more evident. Now the midfielders are more defensive and more like a modern left/right-back and a defensive midfielder. The average of games per game was 4.67 (in 18 games).
Besides this, the final ended like the first one 4–2 with two goals from Colaussi the left winger from Italy.
Switzerland 1954
In groups, Hungary crushed his group beating 9–0 South Korea and then 8–3 West Germany, the V — W tactic was the first using the false 9. Hidegkuti drops and lets Puskas and Kocsis go to the area. This team has the record for most goals in a single WC with 27 goals and helped to make this edition the one with the most goals per game with 5.38 (in 26 games) in WC history.
Unfortunately, the Hungarian team lost to West Germany in the final, The team led by right-wing Ranh overcame a 0–2 deficit and won in the last minutes 3–2.
Sweden 1958
The beginning of a dynasty, this was the first time Pele played a WC, with only 17 years managed to score a hat trick in the semifinals and a double in the final, becoming the youngest player winning the World Cup. This edition has 35 games with 126 goals in total (3.60 per game).
Brazil implements a 4–2–4 formation, with the forwards split into pairs, similar to a 4–4–2 that was going a standard in the following years. In the red circles we saw the pair of strikers and the yellow is the other pair they play more as CAM.
Mexico 1970
The first time a national team showed a 4–4–2 on the big stage, in the last decades some teams showed this formation but this Brazil was a masterclass of how to play it. This way winning this 3rd champion in the last 4 editions.
Pele again shows in the big stage his dominance in the game, leading Brazil to be the first nation winning 3 times the WC, To this day Pele is the only player to ever win 3 times the World Cup. This was the last edition that FIFA gave the Jules Rimet trophy to the winner (2,97 goals per game).
Germany 1974
The emergence of a football revolution, in 1974 marked the Netherlands’ debut in a World Cup final. Their unique 4–3–3 formation, an innovation on the global stage, showcased an audacious approach. Although they narrowly missed the championship, the Dutch team, led by legends like Johan Cruyff, Johan Neeskens, and Ruud Krol, left an indelible mark with their creative and attacking style of play.
This tournament introduced the world to “Total Football,” emphasizing ball possession and involving all players in both attack and defense. Despite their loss in the final, the 1974 Netherlands squad’s legacy persists as pioneers who challenged football conventions and redefined the sport’s aesthetics, inspiring generations of players and coaches (2,55 goals per game).
Mexico 1986
The 1986 FIFA World Cup marked a turning point in football history. It was a tournament that would forever be associated with one man’s brilliance — Diego Maradona. Maradona made arguably the best individual performance of a player in a World Cup. In this, the formation is not important because is better known as “Maradona and 10 more”.
In this edition, Maradona not only scored the famous “Hand of God” and “Goal of the Century” in the quarter-final against England but also played a pivotal role in leading Argentina to their second World Cup victory. The tournament featured 52 matches and a total of 132 goals (averaging 2.54 goals per game).
Italy 1990
Italy 1990 was a World Cup that emphasized the art of defending and strategic play, with penalty shootouts and closely fought matches becoming the norm. Despite the lowest goal average in an edition, the tournament’s captivating narratives and memorable matches ensured it remains an integral part of football history.
Federal Germany plays his last edition with this name, with Matthäus as the captain and the historic Beckenbauer guiding the team. Both teams played with 5 defenders but the Germans more defensive style while the Argentine's wingbacks had more liberty to attack. (2,21 goals per game)
France 1998
It marked the 16th edition of the tournament and the first time it was hosted by France. Counter-attacking football became a hallmark of the competition, with teams strategically absorbing pressure and then unleashing swift and lethal counter-attacks. We can see the compact in the midfield deployed by both teams. (2.67 goals per game)
The midfield was the epicenter of battles, with teams recognizing that control of this area was key to dictating the game’s rhythm. Skillful midfielders such as Zidane, Ronaldo, and Rivaldo showcased their artistry and influence, underscoring the importance of a strong midfield presence. This was the first edition with 64 games.
Germany 2006
Many teams prioritized defensive organization, with well-drilled backlines and disciplined midfielders, aiming to nullify opponents’ attacking threats. Counter-attacking football was also prevalent, as teams sought to capitalize on turnovers and exploit spaces in their opponents’ defenses. This was the first time the world saw the best 2 players in history, Cristiano and Messi.
The match remained goalless through regulation and decided in the last 2 minutes of the extra time, Fabio Grosso scored a perfect left-footed strike that came from a Pirlo pass in the 118' and in the 121' in a counter-attack Del Piero finished the game. Gianluigi Buffon with one of the best performances of a goalkeeper in a World Cup match. (2,30 goals per game).
South Africa 2010
We talk about how the Netherlands deployed “Total Football” in the 1974 edition, but the nation that mastered this school and arguably one of the top 3 teams that ever play a World Cup, the 2010 Spain show with the “tiki-taka” a perfect football. Dominating the world from 2008 to 2012, they won the 2008 European Championship, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, and then secured victory once again in the 2012 European Championship.
20 of the 23 players play in La Liga! The team has a clear base of Barcelona and Real Madrid players, in the final lineup only 2 players don’t play there (and Villa was bought by Barcelona from Valencia that summer), and both play in the domestic league. Spain plays 4–2–3–1, with Pedro and Iniesta more open to the sideline. (2,27 goals per game)
Brazil 2014
Germany’s systematic approach, known as “gegenpressing” this system consists of winning the ball immediately after losing possession with high-intensity pressure often in the attacking third.
Additionally, the 2014 World Cup saw a resurgence of the 4–2–3–1 formation, with many teams adopting this tactical setup to strike a balance between defensive solidity and offensive potency. The German team dominated the teams, but the semifinal vs Brazil was an exhibition, at half-time the score was 5–1 and finished 7–1, Klose managed to score a goal and surpassed Ronaldo Nazario to be the player with more goals in the World Cup’s with 15 goals. (2,67 goals per game)
Qatar 2022
The first edition wasn’t played in the middle of the year, this edition starts in late November and ends in December because of the intense heat that Qatar has in summer. This edition was crowned one of the best in history, Leo Messi has the top 3 player exhibition in the World Cup, with 7 goals and scoring in all the elimination games. Mbappe was a star in the final with a hat-trick and scoring his penalty but Messi and the Argentine goalkeeper Dibu Martinez manage to win this edition. (2,68 goals per game)
Conclusion
In conclusion, the ever-evolving tactics on display in World Cup tournaments have not only shaped the outcome of matches but have also enriched the beautiful game’s history, leaving fans eagerly awaiting the next tactical innovations on football’s grandest stage.
