The 1974 World Cup final is remembered as a national tragedy for the Netherlands.
No, it isn’t overkill to say that.
In fact, in ‘Brilliant Orange: The Neurotic Genius of Dutch Football’, David Winner says: ”The events of Munich, 7 July 1974 are burned into the Dutch psyche in the way that Dallas, 22 November 1963 haunts America.”
To many, Brazil is the best footballing nation of all time. Their five World Cup wins provides them a strong argument to lay claim to that title.
All this while playing an exciting and highly skilful brand of football – which has come to be known as ‘jogo bonito’.
Jogo bonito literally translates into ‘the beautiful game’.
It is a free, expressive brand of football which has often drawn a likeness to the samba dance – which is also synonymous with the South American nation.
In fact, jogo bonito is often seen to be a perfect fusion of dance and football, drawing likenesses to the Brazilian martial art – Capoeira.
Capoeira – like jogo bonito – finds its roots in the Brazil’s vibrant culture of dance.
In both cases, incredible sporting ability is mixed with the flare, confidence and excitement found in Brazilian samba.
This exciting blend of free-flowing expression with footballing brilliance is why many fans fall in love with the beautiful game. It is why if you ask so many fans from around the world their favourite player, names like Ronaldinho, Neymar and Kaka will so often crop up.
However, jogo bonito alone could not win championships. Football is about more than skill and expression, it also takes defensive ability, balance and tactical acumen.
Brazil had all of these in abundance at the 1958 World Cup, where in the final, they triumphed over hosts Sweden 5-2.
