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European all-time low in World Cup last 16

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European all-time low in World Cup last 16

Only six European teams have qualified for the last 16 of the World Cup - an all-time low, after Friday saw the end of group action.

Published: Sat 26 Jun 2010, 1:52 PM

Updated: Mon 6 Apr 2015, 4:18 AM

  • By
  • (AFP)

With the early demise of both holders and four-times champions Italy and 1998 winners France, only two European former champions remain in the shape of Germany - three titles and 1996 winners England.

England now meet the Germans so one of that pair will fall by the wayside before the quarter-finals.

The other four European survivors - Holland, Slovakia, Spain and Portugal - have never lifted the trophy but the Dutch were finalists in 1974 and 1978 while Spain are reigning European champions and among the favourites.

Brazil - five titles to their name, and Argentina and Uruguay (two wins apiece) also remain as the only other former champions.

Of the remaining seven countries in the mix, only the United States (in 1930), Chile (1962) and South Korea (2002) have been as far as the semi-finals.

Mexico, Paraguay, Japan and Ghana make up the rest of the second round line-up.



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