The World Cup: one team wins and becomes legend, 31 other squads face the most harrowing defeats of their careers. To the winner goes the spoils, to the loser goes tears, infamy and the lifelong question of “What if?”
As a quadrennial event, the stakes couldn’t be higher. The sporting drama is simply unmatched at a World Cup, and sometimes, the losers are as immediately recallable as the victors (think Zinedine Zidane’s headbutt in the 2006 final).
Here are 19 iconic photos (dating back to 1986) that showcase the agony and heartache of the World Cup.
David Luiz after Brazil's 7-1 defeat to Germany.
Lionel Messi passes the World Cup trophy after losing the final to Germany.
Arjen Robben’s son is disconsolate after Holland’s penalty shootout defeat to Argentina.
Ghana player reacts after losing in a penalty shootout to Uruguay.
Holland's Wesley Sneijder after losing the final to Spain.
France's Zinedine Zidane passes the trophy after his red card expulsion in the final vs. Italy.
Thierry Henry goes to console Cristiano Ronaldo after France defeat Portugal in the semis.
Oliver Kahn dejectedly sits at his post after losing the final to Ronaldo and Brazil.
Spain players are left shocked after being eliminated in a penalty shootout by South Korea.
David Beckham is sent off for kicking out at Diego Simeone in England’s defeat to Argentina.
Edmundo, Rivaldo, Cafu and Roberto Carlos after losing the final to France.
A 20-year-old Gianluigi Buffon, Italy’s third choice keeper, moves to console Gianluca Pagliuca after a shootout defeat to France.
Roberto Baggio stands dejected after blazing his penalty over the bar, giving the World Cup to Brazil.
Colombia’s Andres Escobar reacts to his own goal against the United States.
Paul Gascoigne breaks down after England’s penalty shootout defeat to West Germany in the semifinals.
Diego Maradona after losing the 1990 final to West Germany.
Bobby Robson consoles Glenn Hoddle after England are eliminated by Argentina in 1986.
Socrates has his penalty saved in the 1986 shootout versus France.