European champions Spain were unsurprisingly recognised as the top-ranked team of the year on Wednesday after winning every match they played in 2008.

The publication of FIFA's [ Images ] December rankings saw Spain stretch their lead at the top over second-placed Germany [ Images ], the team they beat to win the Euro 2008 [ Images ] final in June.

The only match of the year in which Spain failed to register the maximum number of ranking points was their Euro 2008 quarter-final against world champions Italy [ Images ] which ended 0-0 after extra time before Spain won on penalties.

Netherlands, who like Spain and eighth-placed England [ Images ], have made a perfect start to their 2010 World Cup qualifying campaign, climbed above Italy to finish the year in third place.

Brazil [ Images ] are the highest-placed non-European team, in fifth, their lowest ever year-end position.

In every previous year since the introduction of the rankings in 1992, Brazil have managed to finish in the top three, including 12 top-place rankings.

FIFA RANKINGS (November positions in brackets):

1. (1) Spain

2. (2) Germany

3. (4) Netherlands

4. (3) Italy

5. (5) Brazil

6. (6) Argentina

7. (7) Croatia [ Images ]

8. (10) England

9. (8) Russia [ Images ]

10. (13) Turkey