World Cup Runners-Up Quiz | FIFA World Cup

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The first World Cup tournament was held in 1930. The host of the joust - Uruguay - won the final with the result of 4-2. Who did they play against?

Answer: Argentina

Uruguay had trailed 1-2 at the half time, but in the end they managed to win. The following day was declared a national holiday in the country. Meanwhile, in Buenos Aires a rabble threw stones at the Uruguayan consulate.

2. The final of the 1934 contest took place in Rome. Italy won the World Cup after 2-1 victory. Who were their opponents?

Answer: Czechoslovakia

This was the first World Cup final to enter extra time after the game finished 1-1 at the end of normal time.

3. The Italians defended their title successfully at France 1938. The result was 4-2. They played against which team?

Answer: Hungary

Italy became the first team to defend their title (and the first who won the competition, when being held in another country). This was also the last World Cup final before World War II. Titkos and S�rosi scored for the runners-up.

4. The first World Cup tournament after World War II was hosted by Brazil. Unusually, the winner was determined after a final group stage. In the end, Uruguay won the title for the second time. The only other country who had chances to win the Cup before the last match was one of the following:

Answer: Brazil

Team positions before the last games between Spain and Sweden, on the one hand, and Brazil and Uruguay, on the other, were as follows:
1.Brazil - 4 pts.
2.Uruguay - 3 pts.
3.Spain - 1 pt.
4.Sweden - 0 pts.
At that time 2 points were given for victory. However, Sweden won against Spain and Uruguay triumphed over Brazil to get the Cup (even a draw would have seen the Brazilians champions in this case).

5. The 1954 tournament saw West Germany winning the championship for the first time. Which country lost the final game?

Answer: Hungary

Hungary were considered favourites to win the tournament. At that time they were the reigning Olympic Champions and had also won the Central European International Cup, remaining unbeaten in 32 matches. The Hungarians led 2-0 after only 8 minutes of play.

However, in the end West Germany prevailed 3-2. This game is often referred to as "Das Wunder von Bern" ("The Miracle Of Bern"). A German movie of the same title was made in 2003.

6. The host of the 1958 tournament was defeated 5-2 by Brazil in the final. Which country lost the final?

Answer: Sweden

The Swedes scored first via Liedholm in the 4th minute, but did not have many reasons for joy after this and finished 2nd.

7. The 1962 Mondial was won by Brazil. Their opponents were players of which country?

Answer: Czechoslovakia

The Mondial was held in Chile, but the final game was between Czechoslovakia and Brazil. Masopust scored for the European team, but 2 minutes later Amarildo made it 1-1. During the second half Zito and Vav� scored for Brazil and they embraced the trophy, as defending titleholders, for the second time.

8. Which country was the opponent of England at the 1966 final that took place at Wembley Stadium?

Answer: West Germany

Haller scored for West Germany (12th minute), Hurst made it 1-1 six minutes later. Peters was England's second scorer, but with a goal a minute before the end Weber made it even. Hurst scored two more goals in the extra time and the trophy was won by the hosts. It was England's first-ever title.

9. Brazil won their third title in 1970. Against which team did they play?

Answer: Italy

A win in this final would've been the third title for both countries. The result was even (1-1) after the first half, but finally Brazil won 4-1, winning their third trophy (1958 and 1962 were their first two). It was also a third for Pel�, who played for the national team between 1957 and 1971. Boninsegna was Italy's only scorer in this game.

10. It was 1974, when West Germany became champions for the second time, after goals by Paul Breitner (from penalty kick) and Gerd M�ller. Which country finished second?

Answer: Netherland

Johan Neeskens made it 1-0 for Netherland after a penalty kick in the 2nd minute, but it was just not enough. Gerd M�ller was chosen "Man of the match". They won their first title was back in 1954.

11. The year 1978 saw the Argentinians win their first-ever final. Which European team lost the game?

Answer: Netherland

It was Netherland's second lost final, as they also lost the 1974 final (won by West Germany). Argentina took lead after Mario Kempes scored. Dick Nanninga made the result 1-1. Goals by Kempes and Daniel Bertoni provided Argentina their first title in the extra time.

12. The 1982 final brought the prize to Italy for the 3rd time, after a 44-year wait. Against whom did they prevail at the last game?

Answer: West Germany

Paul Breitner scored the only goal for West Germany, after the precise kicks by Rossi, Tardelli and Altobelli for Italy.

13. In 1986 the title was won by Argentina. Players of which country finished 2nd?

Answer: West Germany

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Rudi V�ller scored for West Germany, but goals by Brown, Valdano and Burruchaga gave the trophy to Argentina.

14. Germany triumphed for the third time in 1990 after a precise penalty kick by Andreas Brehme. Which country lost?

Answer: Argentina

The Germans took revenge for the 1986 game, which Argentina won 3-2.

15. The first World Cup final decided by penalty kicks was the 1994 final. The Brazilian team rejoiced and this team grieved.

Answer: Italy

The match finished 0-0 after the extra time. Franco Baresi missed the first penalty for Italy, so did Marcio Santos for Brazil. Demetrio Albertini and Romario scored for their countries. Alberigo Evani made it 2-1 for Italy, but Branco reinstated the parity.

Another miss by Daniele Massaro followed and the Brazilian captain Dunga gave advantage to his country. Roberto Baggio missed the last penalty for Italy and the Brazilian team was victorious.

16. In 1998 France became World Champions for the first time. Which country did they beat?

Answer: Brazil

Brazilian players Aldair, Dunga, Bebeto and Cafu, as well as goalkeeper Taffarel, who all participated in the final match against Italy four years ago, played in this game too. However, this time France won 3-0.

17. Marked by France's early elimination from Group A and impressive play from the squads of Senegal (who eliminated Sweden at the 1/8 finals) and Turkey (who finished 3rd), the 2002 FIFA World Cup ended with the Brazilian team becoming champion for the 5th time. Ronaldo scored twice against this team to bring Brazil the victory and the title.

Answer: Germany

For both countries this was the 7th time they participated in a match that would determine the champion.
Brazil- 1950, 1958, 1962, 1970, 1994, 1998, 2002.
Germany- 1954, 1966, 1974, 1982, 1986,1990, 2002.
Miroslav Klose scored 5 goals for Germany in the development of the tournament (all of them headers). He did not manage to accomplish his chances against Brazil and Ronaldo became the top scorer of the championship with his 8 precise kicks. German goalkeeper Oliver Kahn was awarded both "Best player" and "Best goalkeeper".

18. The 2006 final was decided by penalty kicks, won by Italy. Which country was their opponent?

Answer: France

Materazzi and Zidane scored before the match's entering into extra time. What is more ironic is that an incident, involving both of them, happened. After some confrontation Zidane head-butted his opponent and was sent off because of this. Later lip readers, hired by British newspapers "The Sun", "The Times" and "Daily Star", claimed that Materazzi called the French captain "the son of a terrorist whore". Later both players presented their own versions of what caused the events. Anyway, Italy won after David Trezeguet's kick hit the crossbar.

19. The last game of the 2010 tourney saw two European teams face each other - Spain defeated which European country?

Answer: Netherland

Iniesta scored the only goal. This was the 3rd lost final for the Dutch team.
1974 2-1 West Germany vs. Netherlands
1978 3-1 Argentina vs. Netherlands
2010 1-0 Spain vs. Netherlands.

20. Germany won the World Cup for the 4th time in 2014, after extra time, 1-0 against their opponents from which country?

Answer: Argentina

Mario G�tze's fine kick in the 113th minute brought the title to Germany. Their four titles: 1954, 1974, 1990 and 2014. This was the 3rd time a match between those two nations would determine the World Champion (and the second victory of Germany in this rivalry).

1986 : 3-2 : Argentina vs. West Germany
1990 : 1-0 : West Germany vs. Argentina
2014 : 1-0 : Germany vs. Argentina

For Argentina this was the first time they managed to get to the final since 1990. Germany lost the 2002 final 2-0 vs. Brazil, but defeated the Brazilians in the 2014 1/2 final 7-1.

Source: Author blackandgreen

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor gtho4 before going online.
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World Cup Runners-Up Trivia Quiz

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