Had I not been travelling, I'd have done this on Saturday already. As it is, Germany's defeat to Mexico confirms a patters of defending champions starting off poorly.
2014: Spain vs Netherlands 1-5 (eliminated in group stage)
2010: Italy vs Paraguay 1-1 (eliminated in group stage)
2006: Brazil vs Croatia 1-0 (Q/F -- not a bad result, so here's a valid exception to the rule)
2002: France vs Senegal 0-1 (eliminated in group stage)
1998: Brazil vs Scotland 2-1 (finalists; a win but not a great performance, decided by an own goal)
1994: Germany vs Bolivia 1-0 (Q/F. A terrible performance)
1990: Argentina vs Cameroon 0-1 (finalists; would be out in group stages under present system)
1986: Italy vs Bulgaria 1-1 (2nd round)
1982: Argentina vs Belgium 0-1 (2nd round)
1978: West Germany vs Poland 0-0 (2nd round)
1974: Brazil vs Yugoslavia 0-0 (Fourth)
1970: England vs Romania 1-0 (Q/F)
2014: Spain vs Netherlands 1-5 (eliminated in group stage)
2010: Italy vs Paraguay 1-1 (eliminated in group stage)
2006: Brazil vs Croatia 1-0 (Q/F -- not a bad result, so here's a valid exception to the rule)
2002: France vs Senegal 0-1 (eliminated in group stage)
1998: Brazil vs Scotland 2-1 (finalists; a win but not a great performance, decided by an own goal)
1994: Germany vs Bolivia 1-0 (Q/F. A terrible performance)
1990: Argentina vs Cameroon 0-1 (finalists; would be out in group stages under present system)
1986: Italy vs Bulgaria 1-1 (2nd round)
1982: Argentina vs Belgium 0-1 (2nd round)
1978: West Germany vs Poland 0-0 (2nd round)
1974: Brazil vs Yugoslavia 0-0 (Fourth)
1970: England vs Romania 1-0 (Q/F)
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