Although the Brazilian National Team has accumulated some stumbling blocks in its recent performances in the world cup, our heart team is still one of the main references when it comes to the World Cups.

We will never forget ... (Onefootball)

For the MAPA Institute and Mr. Predictions - companies in the area of ​​Data Science and Predictive Analysis - conducted a very nice survey and came to a lot of conclusions about the performance of the Brazilian team. Check out some interesting numbers below:

• 5 world titles - largest in history.
• Win percentage of almost 70% in World Cup games.
• It reached the semifinals in 50% of the cups.
• It has the only three-time world player: Pelé.
• It has the only four-time world champion sportsman: Zagalo.

Achilles' heel

Brazil x Switzerland (The Spokesman-Review / Andrew Medichini / Associated Press)

However, the Brazilian team has a great weakness: the air balls. A true Achilles heel. In the 2018 debut against the Swiss team, the Brazilian national team took their first goal exactly on the first dangerous aerial ball in the area (set-piece). In fact, from the 1970 World Cup to the present, the aerial ball has been a decisive factor in the Brazilian eliminations, especially in the set plays. Look:

• 2014: Germany's first goal came from an overhead ball (set-piece).
• 2010: The Netherlands' 2 goals came from a high ball in the area, the second of which came from a corner kick (set-piece).
• 2006: France's goal came from an overhead ball (set piece - foul).
• 2002: Brazil was Champion.

Jeez, what a joy! (FIFA)

• 1998: France's first 2 goals in the final were played overhead (set-piece).
• 1994: Brazil was Champion.
• 1990: In the Italian Cup, the cause of the elimination was not due to air ball / set ball.
• 1986: Brazil was eliminated in the penalty shootout, but France's equalizer was played by an air ball in the Brazilian area.
• 1982: In the famous game against Italy, the first goal of the Italians was a head-shot aerial ball, while the third came from a corner kick, both scored by Paolo Rossi.

As time goes by ... (ESPN / Shaun Botterill / Allsport)

• 1978: The elimination of Brazil was due to the goal balance.
• 1974: The 2 goals from the Netherlands came from crosses in the area, the second was markedly an aerial play.
• 1970: Brazil was champion.

Beyond the Worlds

Outside the World Cup, the Brazilian team flaunts an embarrassing statistic, having taken a goal that originated in an aerial move resulting from a goal kick when they lost the Olympic final against the - then - Soviet Union in 1988. And yet over the Olympic finals four years earlier, Brazil lost the final to France 2-0, and the first French goal came from an aerial move. And do not stop there!

Brazil x Soviet Union (Goal)

In the 2012 Olympic final, the goal that sealed Mexico's victory over Brazil also came from an aerial play (set pieces - foul). There are other world games in which the Brazilian team suffered from aerial plays, such as the 1994 match with the Netherlands, in which Brazil took 2 goals from an aerial ball (a side throw and a corner kick, respectively). . There was also the 1998 semi-final, in which Brazil beat the Netherlands on penalties after a 1-1 draw in normal time and overtime. The Dutch goal came from an aerial play.

As you have seen, the survey makes it clear that the subject deserves special attention, especially considering that in this World Cup there are 21 teams with average height higher than the Canarinho National Team - even considering the average height of 1.8 meters of the Brazilian team. .

Check out the videos with the goals mentioned in the article below:

Germany x Brazil 2014:

Netherlands x Brazil 2010:

France x Brazil 2006:

France x Brazil 1998:

France x Brazil 1986:

Italy x Brazil 1982:

Netherlands x Brazil 1974:

USSR 2 x 1 Brazil - 1988 Olympic Final :

France 2-0 Brazil - 1984 Olympic Final:

Mexico 2 x 1 Brazil - Olympic Final 2012:

Brazil 3 x 2 Netherlands 1994:

Brazil 1 x 1 Netherlands 1998:

Brazil 1x1 Switzerland 2018:

* Via Advisory.