Argentina, Croatia, Morocco, and France are the 4 finalists of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. Every staff has fought tooth and nail to get right here, beating some glorious groups within the course of.
Going so deep into the event requires unmatched dedication and enviable high quality, which is why solely a handful of countries have managed to qualify for the semi-finals a number of occasions. Right now, we’ll check out 5 nations which were serial semi-finalists in World Cup historical past. Listed below are the highest 5 nations with the very best variety of semi-final appearances on the FIFA World Cup:
Stats: Transfermarkt
#5 Argentina – 5 appearances
Two-time world champions Argentina will play of their fifth FIFA World Cup semi-final once they meet Croatia on the Lusail Iconic Stadium on 13 December. Argentina, who’re competing of their 18th World Cup in Qatar, will compete of their sixth ultimate in the event that they overcome the Croats on Tuesday.
La Albicelste, who beat Netherlands 4-3 on penalties (2-2 after further time) in final week’s quarter-final, beforehand certified for the semi-finals eight years prior, in Brazil. They performed out a goalless draw with the Dutch within the semi-finals earlier than beating them 4-2 on penalties. La Albiceleste, nevertheless, did not take the ultimate step, shedding 1-0 to Germany within the ultimate.
#4 France – 7 appearances
Defending world champions France, who’ve appeared in 16 editions of the FIFA World Cup, have certified for seven semi-finals. One of many ultimate 4 groups of the Qatar World Cup, Les Bleus received three of their earlier six semis. France, who beat England 2-1 within the quarter-finals, must overcome Morocco on 14 December to make it to their fourth World Cup ultimate.
France’s earlier semi-final look, in fact, got here in 2018. They went up towards Belgium on the Krestovsky Stadium and secured a slim 1-0 victory over them. France then took on Croatia within the ultimate and picked up a 4-2 victory to seal their second World Cup.
#3 Italy – 7 appearances
Italy, who’ve received the event a whopping 4 occasions, have participated within the 18 editions of the FIFA World Cup, enjoying in seven semi-finals. In these seven semi-finals, they’ve come out on high on six events, which matches on to indicate how properly they play within the ultimate levels of the World Cup. Their solely semi-final defeat got here towards Argentina in 1990. They misplaced the sport 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 stalemate on the finish of additional time.
Italy’s final semi-final look got here in 2006. They beat Germany 2-0 in further time to arrange a mouth-watering ultimate towards France. French legend Zinedine Zidane noticed a purple card for his headbutt on Marco Materazzi earlier than the match (1-1 after further time) went into penalties. The Azzurri got here out on high within the shootout, beating France 4-3, and lifting their fourth World Cup.
They had been knocked out within the group stage in 2010 and did not qualify for the primary occasion in 2018 and 2022.
#2 Brazil – 8 appearances
Report five-time world champions Brazil have performed in each iteration (22) of the FIFA World Cup, reaching the final-four eight occasions. Impressively, they received seven of the eight semi-finals, with their solely defeat coming towards Germany eight years in the past in 2014.
Brazil’s final semi-final look, which additionally marked their worst show at a FIFA World Cup, got here towards Germany in 2014. Selecao had been massacred by the environment friendly Germans on the Mineirao Stadium in Brazil, falling to a shambolic 7-1 defeat.
Canarinho have fallen early within the final two editions of the World Cup. In 2018, they had been overwhelmed 2-1 by Belgium within the quarter-finals. This 12 months in Qatar, Croatia received the higher of them on penalties, securing a 4-2 win within the shootout after the sport completed 1-1 on the finish of additional time.
#1 Germany – 12 appearances
4-time world champions Germany have appeared in 20 editions of the FIFA World Cup, reaching the semi-finals on 12 events. They’ve come out on high in eight of the 12 semi-finals they’ve participated in. Their report makes them essentially the most constant staff within the historical past of the event.
Germany’s final semi-final look, in fact, got here in 2014. Die Mannschaft took on five-time winners Brazil on the Mineirao Stadium and inflicted a historic 7-1 defeat upon them. They confronted one other South American large, Argentina, within the ultimate, and as soon as once more got here out on high. Mario Gotze scored within the 113th minute to take them to their fourth World Cup.
Germany have been notably disappointing within the final two iterations of the FIFA World Cup. In 2018, they completed fourth in Group F with three factors and had been eradicated. They picked up a degree extra on the Qatar World Cup however the end result didn’t change. Ending behind second-placed Spain on aim distinction, they had been knocked out of the event.
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