Netherlands — last major trophy
Time since last trophy
The Netherlands beat the Soviet Union 2-0, with a famous Marco van Basten volley, for their only major trophy. They have finished World Cup runners-up three times without ever winning.
The Netherlands hold a unique and slightly painful distinction in football history: they are the most successful team to have never won a World Cup, having lost three finals — 1974, 1978, and 2010 — without lifting the trophy. Their only major title remains UEFA Euro 1988, when a team built around Johan Cruyff's 'Total Football' philosophy and starring Marco van Basten, Ruud Gullit and Frank Rijkaard beat the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final. Van Basten's second goal, an extraordinary first-time volley from an almost impossible angle, is still regarded as one of the greatest goals in the tournament's history. The 1974 team, led by Cruyff himself, is widely considered one of the greatest sides never to win the World Cup, having revolutionized the sport with a fluid, position-swapping style that influenced the way the game is played to this day.
| Competition | Titles won |
|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup | 0 |
| UEFA European Championship | 1 |
| UEFA Nations League | 0 |
| Year | Competition | Result | Detail |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1974 | World Cup | Runner-up | Lost 2-1 to West Germany |
| 1978 | World Cup | Runner-up | Lost 3-1 (aet) to Argentina |
| 1988 | Euro 1988 | Won | 2-0 vs Soviet Union |
| 2010 | World Cup | Runner-up | Lost 1-0 (aet) to Spain |
No. They have lost three finals — 1974, 1978, and 2010 — making them the most successful nation never to win it.
UEFA Euro 1988, beating the Soviet Union 2-0 in the final.
Marco van Basten, with a first-time volley from a tight angle that is considered one of the greatest goals in tournament history.
Their 'Total Football' style, built around fluid positional interchange, is widely credited with changing how the sport is played and coached.
