)
These are the five longest unbeaten runs by national football teams in history.
Unlike football clubs, it is not easy for national teams to maintain long unbeaten runs. Since few international matches or tournaments are played each year, national teams usually don't stay long without losing.
However, a few nations have maintained an unblemished record for many years. They have won international competitions to continue their unbeaten streak.
Here are the five longest unbeaten international runs in football.
5. Argentina - 31 games
Argentina went 31 games without a single defeat from 1991 to 1993. The Albiceleste won back-to-back Copas America titles. The team was led by the in-form Gabriel Batistuta, who scored goals galore as they lifted the aforementioned trophies.
Their unbeaten run came to an end when they lost to Colombia in the World Cup 1994 qualification.
4. Algeria - 35 games
)
The Fennec Foxes have the longest unbeaten run of any African country. They went unbeaten for 35 matches and won an international trophy along the way. Algeria won the 2019 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) after defeating Senegal 1-0 in the final.
However, in the ongoing AFCON, Algeria suffered a shock 1-0 loss to Equatorial Guinea, which ended their run.
3. Spain - 35 games
Coached first by Luis Aragones and then Vicente del Bosque, Spain were unbeatable for a long time. Spain's golden generation won successive European Championships and a World Cup in their unbeaten run.
The run reached 35 games and lasted from 2007 to 2009.
2. Brazil - 35 games
)
Brazil were the first national team to go 35 games unbeaten, as they went undefeated for a period spanning three years from 1993 to 1995. In their remarkable unbeaten run, the Selecao won the 1994 World Cup in the United States of America.
However, Brazil's run eventually came to an end when they were finally stopped by Mexico, who beat them 2-0 in the Gold Cup.
1. Italy - 37 games
Italy have the record for the longest unbeaten run in international football history, which stands at 37 games without a loss. This unbeaten streak began after Azzurri failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup.
)
However, under Roberto Mancini, Italy discovered their form. They won the Euro 2020 after defeating England in the final en route to creating this record.
Roberto Mancini's men went over three years without losing a game. Before that run, their last loss dated back to September 10, 2018, when they were defeated 1-0 by Portugal in a UEFA Nations League clash.
Nonetheless, Italy were finally defeated by Spain 2-1 in the UEFA Nations League semi-final in October 2021.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)