1998 :  France

• Number 5

  Brazil were hot favourites to retain the World Cup in 1998, but nobody could have predicted how well host nation France would perform in their own backyard. There was no doubting France's ability with Zinedine Zidane, Patrick Vieira and Thierry Henry all considered world-class operators. In defence they had experienced trio Lilian Thuram, Marcel Desailly and Laurent Blanc, while eccentric goalkeeper Fabien Barthez was considered one of the best in the world.

  However, after making the semi-finals they were pushed all the way by surprise package Croatia before clinching a final spot with a 2-1 success. Not surprisingly, Brazil awaited the hosts at the magnificent Stade de France but there were reports filtering out that star striker Ronaldo required medical attention the previous night. What happened to the Inter Milan striker is still unclear, but he was well below-par in a one-sided final. Zidane, the star playmaker compared with French legend Michel Platini, scored a brace and a goal from Emmanuel Petit secured a first World Cup success for France.

1970 :  Brazil

• Number 4

  Brazil's 1970 team is regarded as the greatest team of all time. Defending champions England also fielded a strong side, strengthened by new faces Terry Cooper, Alan Mullery and Francis Lee. The two sides met at the group stage and it provided a thrilling spectacle for the millions watching around the world. England goalkeeper Gordon Banks produced one of the greatest saves of all time, somehow scrambling across the goal to flick Pele's goalbound header over the crossbar.

  Brazil eventually clinched a 1-0 win courtesy of Tostao, but England still progressed to the quarter-finals where they were beaten by West Germany. The Samba Boys overcame Peru and Uruguay to reach the final, where they would meet defence-minded Italy. The Italians tried to contain Brazil, but the flamboyant South Americans were able to carve open the normally watertight defence.

  Pele powerfully headed home the in the 18th minute but the Azzurri were level following a sloppy back-pass. However, Gerson restored Brazil's advantage and Jairzinho netted to become the first player to score in every round of the World Cup. The best goal was saved until last when Pele rolled the ball to Carlos Alberto who thundered a low drive into the bottom corner for a 4-1 win.

1966 :  England

• Number 3

  England, led by West Ham's majestic defender Bobby Moore, claimed their one and only World Cup success, on home soil in 1966. The hosts progressed from possibly the weakest group in the tournament to meet Argentina in the quarter-finals - a game remembered for the wrong reasons.

  Skipper Antonio Rattin kept on hacking away at English players until he was dismissed. However, the Argentine leader was not happy with the decision and refused to leave the pitch until eventually, after an 11-minute delay, he trudged off. England secured a 1-0 win over the South Americans and boss Sir Alf Ramsey branded them "animals", although he later apologised for the remark. The hosts met Portugal in the semi-finals, a team inspired by the brilliance of the tournament's leading goalscorer Eusebio. But he was well shackled by the home defence while, at the other end, Bobby Charlton celebrated a two-goal haul.

  The Portuguese star converted a late penalty but it proved too little, too late. The final was an intriguing encounter between two old enemies - and it turned out to be a thrilling game. The Germans struck first through Helmut Haller but Geoff Hurst equalised before West Ham team-mate Martin Peters gave his side the lead. Wolfgang Weber then made it 2-2 before the Hurst fired home the goal which would be replayed countless times. Hurst hammered Alan Ball's cross against the underside of the crossbar and the ball, according to linesman Tofik Bakhramov, bounced over the line. However, England clinched a 4-2 win thanks to Hurst's late strike - and he became the first man to score a World Cup final hat-trick.

1962 :  Brazil

• Number 2

  Brazil showed their strength in depth to retain the World Cup without the flamboyant skills of Pele. The world's top player, who made a name for himself as a raw teenager in the previous tournament, looked irresistible in the opening match before a torn thigh muscle forced him to the sidelines.

  However, the star-studded South Americans were simply too strong for England in the quarter-finals. Garrincha took centre stage and opened the scoring before Gerry Hitchens equalised for England. Vava then restored his side's lead before a wicked, swerving shot from Garrincha wrong-footed goalkeeper Ron Springett and earned his side a semi-final showdown with Chile.

  The hosts, who staged the tournament despite being devastated by the earthquakes the previous year, proved no match for Brazil. Garrincha and Vava both scored a brace to secure a 4-2 success - but the game ended on a sour note when Garrincha was dismissed for retaliating. Despite Brazil's fears that he would miss the final, Garrincha was not suspended because he had been provoked throughout the match. Brazil faced Czechoslovakia in the final and despite conceding the first goal, the South Americans clinched a 3-1 success.

1958 :  Brazil

• Number1

  Pele made his name in this tournament and helped Brazil win their first World Cup. Unknown to the footballing world, he was just 17 - and known as Edson Arantes do Nascimento - when he made his World Cup debut against the Soviet Union. Brazil comfortably progressed from Pool 1 without conceding a goal and they marched almost unopposed towards a semi-final clash with France, when Pele's hat-trick capped off a 5-2 win. Brazil faced hosts Sweden in the final - but a partisan crowd could not prevent them securing their first tournament success.

  Sweden took the lead in the fourth minute courtesy of captain Nils Liedholm, but the Brazilian machine soon kicked into gear and they were level after some fine wing play by Garrincha. He surged down the right flank before squaring for Vava to smash the ball home. Vava combined with Garrincha again in the second half to give Brazil the lead before Pele made it 3-1. Pele and Mario Zagalo added further goals to round off a memorable campaign by the talented Brazilians.