THE decade that was contained three World Cups – and not a lot of good news for South America.
Brazil could have gone further in Russia 2018.
Neymar’s misery at Russia 2018 summed up Brazil’s decadeCredit: AFP or licensors
In the game of the tournament, the quarter final against Belgium, they did enough to deserve the chance to save themselves in extra time.
They also fell in the quarter final eight years earlier in South Africa, when they collapsed in the second half after an excellent start against Holland.
And in the middle, of course, came their own World Cup, and the less said about that the better.
FINALISTS ARGENTINA
In Brazil 2014 it was Argentina who carried the South American challenge.
They were the first, and so far the only, team from the continent to go all the way to the final – where they pushed Germany hard before going down by the only goal.
So the bad news is that South America could not walk off with the big prize even in the only time that the continent staged the tournament since 1978.
IS THERE WORSE TO COME?
I was in Rio de Janeiro’s Maracana stadium recently when a Brazilian journalist in his mid 40s confessed a big fear.
He does not feel that in his lifetime he will see Brazil, or any other South American country, win the World Cup.
The logic is easy to follow.
There is already a total domination of western European football, in terms of national teams as well as in the club game.
Argentina were the only South American team to make a World Cup final this decadeCredit: Getty – Contributor
Since Brazil’s 2002 triumph, their every World Cup campaign, and those of Argentina, has ended with elimination at the hands of a Western European nation – France, Holland, Germany and Belgium in the case of Brazil, Germany three times over followed by France for Argentina.
And, fears my journalist friend, the gap is getting bigger.
True, he concedes that the European clubs continue to buy in talent from South America.
EUROPEANS ARE IMPROVING
But what especially worries him is that Europe appears to be improving in its quest to produce its own flair players.
A few years ago it would have inconceivable that, in a big match between Brazil and Belgium, the Europeans would be able to count on the most creative force in the game.
But quite apart from the cerebral midfield play of Kevin de Bruyne, the most effective low centre of gravity old fashioned South American style player in that 2018 quarter final was Eden Hazard.
He is also worried about the players that England is developing, especially since the FA started giving importance to the World Cups at under-age levels.
European teams have caught with their South American counterparts in skill and techniqueCredit: Getty Images – Getty
BRAZIL WOULD LOVE A ALEXANDER-ARNOLD
Brazil are struggling to find a replacement for veteran right back Daniel Alves, who remains the national team captain.
England, meanwhile, have come up with Trent Alexander-Arnold, a footballer of such extraordinary promise that he looks even better than Daniel Alves was at a similar age.
And then there is Phil Foden, who ripped Brazil apart a couple of years back in a World Under-17 Cup semi final.
My Brazilian friend looks at these players, gazes into his crystal ball and can see little hope for his country and his home continent.
FOOTBALL IS UNPREDICTABLE
His concerns are soundly based. But perhaps he is underestimating the unpredictable nature of football – and of cup competitions in particular.
And there is, of course, the prospect of a World Cup in the Americas in 2026, shared mainly between the US and Mexico.
Football is unpredictable and Brazil will hope the next decade brings better fortuneCredit: EPA
Improving Argentina can also make a claim on the international stage againCredit: AP:Associated Press
South America has always come out on top there before, with Brazil winning Mexico 70 and USA 94, and Argentina claiming Mexico 86.
And there is still a hope that the 30s might start with a centenary version of the World Cup, shared between Uruguay, Argentina, Paraguay and Chile – another tournament where the South Americans would enjoy home advantage.
Perhaps, then, this is a debate that could be continued in 11 years’ time, as 2030 gives way to 2031.
By then, if the western European dominance continues, my friend will be in his mid 50s and well justified in his fear.
Brazil 0 Argentina 1 – Lionel Messi scores after penalty miss as Gabriel Jesus puts horror spot kick wide
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
