FIFA World Cup SPECIAL REPORT: Top ten upsets in World Cup History
France’s stunning defeat at the hands of South Africa, knocking them out of the tournament is a match that will be remembered in time. For the South Africans the victory will be enough conciliation despite being knocked out themselves. They started the World Cup in grand style and ended it in the same fashion.
Similarly, every four years, fans from all over the world speak a common language, football. The FIFA World Cup brings together some of the finest displays in football. All the top players play for their respective nations and teams in one of the greatest sporting spectacles, rivalled only by the Olympics.
However upsets are bound to happen. An upset in football would be when an underdog team would go on to beat one of the favourites in World Cup. We now look at the top ten upsets in football history, which shook the fans all over the world
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10- Spain 0-1 Northern Ireland 1982 First Group stage
To start off, Spain hosted the 1982 World Cup. Being the obvious favourites with an exciting team, Spain’s home soil advantage made them strong contenders for the World Cup. However, their World Cup campaign was a complete and utter disaster. They only managed one win in 5 games, scoring only four goals – of which two were controversial penalties. Perhaps their most humiliating defeat was a 1-0 loss at the hands of the Irish, which still stings every Spanish fan.
9- South Korea 2-1 Italy Round of 16
2002 FIFA World Cup was perhaps the most controversial World Cup in recent memory. There were so many refereeing errors that fans would despise that World Cup the most. Being Koreans home soil, Italy’s clear Golden goal was disallowed by the referee, and Korea won a dubious penalty. Koreans also went unpunished on numerous foul play occasions, with Italy complaining that there was a conspiracy behind the referee’s erroneous decisions.
8- West Germany 1-2 Algeria 1982 First Group Stage
The new power and European champions at the time were West Germany with a stunning squad of players like Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, Paul Breitner and Harald Schumacher. Algeria on the other hand were perhaps not even supported by their own nation. The Germans were however stunned by the sheer pace and ability of their opponents, with the legendary Rabah Madjer scoring the opening goal. Germans later equalized but a quick come back by the Algerians saw them defeat the Mighty Germans in a huge upset.
7- Spain 0-1 Switzerland 2010 Group H
The all star Spanish side on one side, with a totally awesome unbeaten run in qualifiers, were challenged by the unknown underdogs Switzerland. The Swiss frustrated the team whose entire starting 11 had huge names with the likes of Xavi , Villa , Iniesta, Alonso and Puyol. The Swiss held their ground firmly and frustrated the Spanish side, which held most of the possession. A stroke of luck and fumble in the Spanish 6-yard goal saw the Swiss capitalize and put one past Iker Casillas. This was a big upset, as Spain was hugely the pre-tournament favourites.
6- Argentina 0-1 Cameroon 1990 Group Stage
The major shocker was delivered to Argentina. Even though their squad was not as lustrous as the other team they did in fact have the era’s best player, Diego Maradona, and the new rising talent of Claudio Caniggia. Their triumph in Milan seemed eminent but the Albiceleste were left dumbstruck when Francois Omam-Biyik’s tall figure headed the winner in the 67th minute while the goalkeeper Nery Pumpido watched on. Cameroon in spite of finishing with nine men won the match.
5- France 0-1 Senegal 2002 Group Stage
The opening match for the French had them in a situation where someone had put them in the ocean and somehow managed to electrify the whole mass. The French were the European Champions and had players playing in major leagues across the globe and still they succumbed to underdogs Senegal. Papa Bouba Diop produced the stunner near half time forcing millions of jaws to drop.
4- England 0-1 United States 1950 First Group Stage
The Three Lions had the best odds ever for a new team entering into the World Cup. Their odds were compiled to be 3/1 and they were facing the United States of America, a team that included no professional players. Just a bunch of part time players whose professions varied from teachers, engineers, delivery men and labourers and of course their chances were 500/1.
The story goes: England had thwarted Chile and USA had been defeated by Spain. The then England Manager Walter Winterbottom and his men despite having an arsenal full of attacking players were stopped by US goal keeper Frank Borghi. Ultimately, setting up Joe Gaetjens to score the winner.
This was such a shocker for England that the media reported that England had won the match by 10-0 against USA instead of the 1-0 defeat. Later it was confirmed from the press that it was an error and the defeat had really occurred.
3) Hungary 2-3 West Germany – 1954 Final
It was the golden age for the Hungarians as they journeyed to Berne to face West Germany. They had an invincible run of 31 matches which included a 6-3 beating of England. It was a time when Hungary was revolutionizing football but little did they know that West Germany was another power on the rise.
Hungarians had produced 17 goals in two matches while incinerating everything that came in their path. They even led the final but history saw one of the most amazing comebacks in time. Germany ultimately got the break in the 84th minute as they became the World Champions.
2- North Korea 1-0 Italy 1966 Group Stage
North Korea is perhaps the most erratic team that has entered the World Cup’s final stages. On one hand they have been thrown around and played with while on the other hand they have produced amazing upsets. One such came in 1966 when they triumphed over Italy.
They had been chronicled to Europe with a 1000/1 chance but the 88th minute ball in the net was all that was required by to win the match. The goal was scored by Pak Seung-Sin who is known in his country as the miracle maker.
After being thrown around without a single win during that World Cup they eventually found their pace and were about to progress to the next stage leading against Portugal by 3-0 but they were on the receiving end of a flabbergasting comeback and the match ended 5-3.
1- Uruguay 2-1 Brazil 1950 Final Group
This is regarded by many as the Hiroshima disaster for Brazil. Brazil required just a draw in the final match to clear their way for the race to the World Cup but fate had other plans. They were playing in their own country and the joy for the glory of trophy was intense. The country had already begun celebrations and declarations by media that the country had acquired the trophy sizzled across the wires.
There are actual reports by media stating, ‘These are the world champions’. Things were going according to plan as the Brazilians led the score in the 46th minute. But the goal after halftime started an incredible frenzy in the Uruguayan side. Juan Schiaffino equalised soon but the 79th minute disaster would have stopped the hearts of all Brazilian fans with the legendary Alcides Ghiggia scoring to take the lead.
The match had such massive implications that many fans committed suicide on the spot while Brazil was humiliated worldwide. The then Brazilian goalkeeper Barbosa became the man responsible for the goal and he had a life full of misery till the end in 2000. Barbosa expressed on his death bed, “Under Brazilian law the maximum sentence is thirty years. But my imprisonment has been for fifty”.
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