Ard, West Germany lost to East Germany in 1974. They also reached a final after losing to one of the North African countries in a first round group match. ( I can't recall which country it was, but they did). In 1990, in which they won the World Cup, they won a grand total of four out of nine games before the tournament began.
Brazil have a record of unimpressive pre tournament form and then winning the thing. In the last tournament, England drew against Nigeria and Sweden, but defeated the magnificent Argentine side deservedly.
The way these things often go is that the better teams play their best football against each other. Once the tournament proper begins, previous form is of little significance.
I am certainly pissed off to see virtually all of England's friendlies treated as if they were Sunday morning kick abouts, but I have a sneaky feeling that unimpressive form going into the tournament is unlikely to damage any side much - especially England. In 1990, England squeezed past the first stage before putting up two very impressive performances against Belgium and Germany. That side gelled very suddenly in the Belgium game. It's early days yet. Mind you, if England repeat that rubbish of last Saturday, I think I shall like them about as much as you do!