1950s – 1970s

4-2-4 The 4-2-4: Brazil’s revolution

Four defenders, two midfielders, four forwards. Brazil won the 1958 World Cup with it and changed the idea of how many players a team could commit to attack.

Strengths

Four forwards overwhelm any back four.
Extremely fast attacking transitions.
Forces the opponent to defend with seven or eight players.

Risks

Only two midfielders — the centre is wide open.
The full-backs are exposed constantly.

How it is played

Two midfielders cover the whole middle, and the four forwards rotate positions constantly. It only works with extraordinary fitness and technical quality.

In today’s game

Effectively extinct as a starting shape, but its spirit lives in the 3-2-5 and 2-3-5 attacking structures of the 2020s.

Reference sides: Brazil 1958 · Brazil 1970 (variation) · Hungary 1954 · Real Madrid 1960