America and Europe meet again in a World Cup final, in a duel that was almost routine between 1958 and 2002, to the point of being staged in 9 of the 12 tournaments played. In those 44 years, only in 1966 (England-Germany), 1974 (Germany-Holland) and 1982 (Italy-Germany) did a final between a Conmebol team and a UEFA team take place.
What do historical statistics say?
Out of a total of 10 finals between America and Europe, the South Americans have won 7 and the Europeans only 3.
In the case of Argentina, defender of our continent’s interests on this occasion, they had to win the first two, against the Netherlands in 1978 and Germany in 1986, then losing in 1990 and 2014 against Germany on both occasions.
France, which this Sunday represents the old continent, has played only one final against a Conmebol team and won it, in 1998 against Brazil.
In the first 5 World Cups there were 3 European finals (Italy-Czechoslovakia in 1934, Italy-Hungary in 1938 and Germany-Hungary in 1954) and 2 between South Americans (Uruguay-Argentina in 1930 and Uruguay-Brazil in 1950).
Since 1958, out of a total of 16 tournaments, we have played 6 finals between European Championships (England-Germany in 1966, Germany-Netherlands in 1974, Italy-Germany in 1982, Italy-France in 2006, Spain-Netherlands in 2010 and France -Croatia in 2018), none among the South Americans and 10 between one from UEFA and one from Conmebol.
America vs Europe Final 10
1958 Brazil 5-2 Sweden
1962 Brazil 3-1 Czechoslovakia
1970 Brazil 4-1 Italy
1978 Argentina 3-1 Netherlands
1986 Argentina 3-2 Germany
1990 Germany 1-0 Argentina
1994 Brazil 0-0 Italy (Brazil on penalties)
1998 France 3-0 Brazil
2002 Brazil 2-0 Germany
2014 Germany 1-0 Argentina
There are 9 finals between champions
Sunday’s will be the tenth World Cup final between two champion teams. Here are the 9 antecedents:
1970 Brazil 4-1 Italy
1982 Italy 3-1 Germany
1986 Argentina 3-2 Germany
1990 Germany 1-0 Argentina
1994 Brazil 0-0 Italy (Brazil on penalties)
1998 France 3-0 Brazil
2002 Brazil 2-0 Germany
2006 Italy 1-1 France (Italy on penalties)
2014 Germany 1-0 Argentina
