The heartbreak list
Belt games decided by 3 points or less715 belt games have come down to 3 points or less. These are the nations who got closest without taking it, and the holders who survived by a whisker.
Escape artists
Holders who defended by 3 or less
| Scotland | 46 |
| Argentina | 40 |
| Russia | 39 |
| England | 29 |
| Italy | 28 |
| Brazil | 27 |
| Spain | 27 |
| Netherlands | 23 |
| France | 22 |
| Uruguay | 16 |
| Germany | 15 |
| Chile | 14 |
Latest nail-biters
| Oct 6, 2026 | Spain beat Croatia 2–1 (UEFA Nations League) | Defense |
| Oct 3, 2026 | Spain beat Czech Republic 3–1 (UEFA Nations League) | Defense |
| Sep 29, 2026 | Spain beat Croatia 4–1 (UEFA Nations League) | Defense |
| Sep 26, 2026 | Spain beat England 3–2 (UEFA Nations League) | Defense |
| Jul 19, 2026 | Spain beat Argentina 1–0 (FIFA World Cup) | Defense |
| Jul 14, 2026 | Spain beat France 2–0 (FIFA World Cup) | Defense |
| Jul 10, 2026 | Spain beat Belgium 2–1 (FIFA World Cup) | Defense |
| Jul 6, 2026 | Spain beat Portugal 1–0 (FIFA World Cup) | Defense |
| Jul 2, 2026 | Spain beat Austria 3–0 (FIFA World Cup) | Defense |
| Jun 26, 2026 | Spain beat Uruguay 1–0 (FIFA World Cup) | Defense |
| Jun 8, 2026 | Spain beat Peru 3–1 (Friendly) | Title change |
| Jun 5, 2026 | Peru beat Haiti 2–1 (Friendly) | Title change |
| Mar 30, 2026 | New Zealand beat Chile 4–1 (FIFA Series) | Title change |
| Mar 27, 2026 | Chile beat Cape Verde 4–2 (FIFA Series) | Defense |
| Nov 18, 2025 | Chile beat Peru 2–1 (Friendly) | Defense |
| Nov 15, 2025 | Chile beat Russia 2–0 (Friendly) | Title change |
| Oct 14, 2025 | Russia beat Bolivia 3–0 (Friendly) | Defense |
| Oct 10, 2025 | Russia beat Iran 2–1 (Friendly) | Defense |
| Sep 7, 2025 | Russia beat Qatar 4–1 (Friendly) | Defense |
| Jun 10, 2025 | Russia beat Belarus 4–1 (Friendly) | Defense |
| Nov 19, 2024 | Zambia beat Sierra Leone 2–0 (African Cup of Nations qualification) | Title change |
| Oct 15, 2024 | Sierra Leone beat Ivory Coast 1–0 (African Cup of Nations qualification) | Title change |
| Oct 11, 2024 | Ivory Coast beat Sierra Leone 4–1 (African Cup of Nations qualification) | Defense |
| Sep 10, 2024 | Ivory Coast beat Chad 2–0 (African Cup of Nations qualification) | Defense |
| Sep 6, 2024 | Ivory Coast beat Zambia 2–0 (African Cup of Nations qualification) | Defense |