Holland - The Best Team Never To Win The World Cup

The Dutch have provided the world of football with some great players, coaches and one beautiful concept of how to play the game.
In 1974 Dutch football, which had flourished in the seventies, was led by Rinus Michels. Total Football had been introduced to the world and with the legend that is Johan Cruyff in the team, the Dutch were considered by most to be a formidable opponent. By employing attacking football and quick combinations plus scoring wonderful goals, Holland swept aside opponents like Brazil and Argentina. The Dutch national team looked to be on its way to becoming world champions, but host country West Germany spoiled the party by beating Holland 2-1 in the final.

Four years later following that defeat in Germany, the Dutch national team were once again on the verge of victory in Argentina. Their coach Ernst Happel had assembled a Dutch side that was able to reach the final again, but this time without Johan Cruyff. Holland took on the host country and the final went to extra time, with Argentina scoring twice to win the game 3-1.

The 2010 World Cup was held in South Africa and again the team this time led by coach Bert van Marwijk played attacking, focused football, convincingly winning every game on its way to the final. After 32 years Holland was once more a World Cup finalist, meeting Spain this time. 

In extra time Spain scored the only goal of the tie, sending Holland home empty-handed for the third time.

Upon arrival back home, the Dutch national team was greeted as if it had won the final. More than 700,000 Holland fans stood along canals and gathered at Amsterdam’s centrally-located square Museumplein to pay tribute to the successful national team for its fantastic performance.

The 2014 World Championship was held in Brazil with the Dutch team,coached by Louis van Gaal, playing an excellent tournament. Expectations that they would go far were not high prior to the World Championship. The team was in a strong group, and played their opening match against the former world champions Spain who they had lost to in the final of 2010. Their opening match, however, exceeded all expectations and has kept even the international press talking as they beat Spain 5-1. After this win, they also beat Australia (3-2) and Chile (2-0), becoming the overall winner of their group. The Dutch team then won their matches against Mexico (2-1) and Costa Rica ( 4-3 on penaties) resulting in them playing against Argentina in the semi-final. Unfortunately their dream of winning the World Cup went up in smoke, the penalties resulting in 2-4 against Holland. In the third-place playoff, they did win against Brazil, claiming bronze in 3rd place.