Ranking the Biggest Upsets in World Cup History

In World Cup action on Wednesday, South Korea defeated Germany 2-0 in the teams’ final Group F match. The shocking loss prevented the Germans from making the tournament’s knockout round. It’s their earliest World Cup exit since 1938. To commemorate the stunning result, let’s take a look back at some of the biggest upsets in World Cup history.

13. Slovakia 3, Italy 2
June 24, 2010

Slovakia made the most of its first World Cup appearance, shocking defending champion Italy 3-2 in the teams’ final group stage match. Róbert Vittek scored twice in the victory, as Slovakia advanced to the Round of 16, where they fell to the Netherlands.

4. Algeria 2, West Germany 1
June 16, 1982

Lakhdar Belloumi’s goal in the 68th minute gave World Cup newcomer Algeria a shocking 2-1 group stage victory over powerhouse West Germany. The Algerians were on track to make the knockout round that year until what’s now known as the Disgrace of Gijón, when West Germany and Austria allegedly conspired to ensure that both European sides, and not Algeria, would advance, in a match largely responsible for final group games now being played at the same time.

3. West Germany 3, Hungary 2
July 4, 1954

Heading into the final of the 1954 World Cup, Hungary looked unstoppable, and by the time they reached the Final were unbeaten in their last 32 matches. They’d won their two group stage games by a combined score of 17-3. That included an 8-3 drubbing of West Germany. But in the final, the West Germans came back from a two-goal deficit to pull off a 3-2 victory. Helmut Rahn’s goal in the 84th minute, his second of the day, gave West Germany their first World Cup title.

2. United States 1, England 0
June 29, 1950

It was a moment immortalized with a book and a movie. The underdog United States, a squad made up of semi-pro players, beat mighty England 1-0 in Brazil. Joe Gaetjens’ goal in the 38th minute gave the Americans the victory.

1. Uruguay 2, Brazil 1
July 16, 1950

In front of nearly 200,000 people at the Maracanã, Uruguay defeated mighty host Brazil 2-1. Alcides Ghiggia’s goal in the 79th minute was the game-winner. The Uruguayan legend died on July 16, 2015, 65 years to the day of his historic goal.

12. Scotland 3, Netherlands 2
June 11, 1978

In the teams’ final group match of the 1978 tournament, Scotland edged the Netherlands, who’d go on to play in their second straight World Cup final, 3-2. Celtic and Liverpool star Kenny Dalglish scored once and Archie Gemmill had two goals.

11. United States 2, Colombia 1
June 22, 1994

The Americans’ 2-1 win over then-soccer powerhouse Colombia at the Rose Bowl in the group stage of the 1994 World Cup was groundbreaking. Earnie Stewart scored what ended up being the game-winning goal in the 52nd minute. Sadly, the match will always be remembered for Andrés Escobar’s tragic own goal.

10. Cameroon 1, Argentina 0
June 8, 1990

Francois Omam-Biyik’s header in the 67th minute gave Cameroon a 1-0 victory over Argentina in the group stage of the 1990 World Cup. That kicked off an impressive run for the Cameroonians, who won their group and made it to the quarterfinals, where they fell to England in extra time.

9. Senegal 1, France 0
May 31, 2002

Midfielder Papa Bouba Diop’s goal 30 minutes into the first match of the 2002 tournament gave Senegal, which was playing in the World Cup for the first time, a victory over defending champion France. That year, Senegal finished second in their group and advanced to the quarterfinals.

8. Hungary 3, Brazil 1
July 15, 1966

In the teams’ second group stage match, Hungary stunned Brazil—World Cup champions in both 1958 and 1962—3-1. Talented Portugal ended up beating Brazil to keep the latter side out of the knockout round, but that result wasn’t nearly as shocking as Hungary’s dominant performance. Brazil recovered to win the 1970 tournament, their third title in four tries.

7. Bulgaria 2, Germany 1
July 10, 1994

In the 1994 quarterfinals, Bulgaria—led by Barcelona striker Hristo Stoichkov, the co-Golden Boot winner with six goals at the tournament—knocked off defending World Cup champion Germany 2-1. Bulgaria’s run ended in the semifinals with a loss to Italy.

6. North Korea 1, Italy 0
July 19, 1966

Pak Doo-Ik’s goal shortly before halftime pushed North Korea past Italy 1-0 in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup. An injury led to the Italians playing with 10 men (back then substitutes weren’t allowed) for the majority of the match, but it was a stunning upset nonetheless.

5. South Korea 2, Italy 1
South Korea 0, Spain 0
June 18 & 22, 2002

Host South Korea’s magic run to the semifinals in 2002 included not one but two stunning upsets. In a bonkers Round of 16 matchup that featured a heaping handful of hideous officiating decisions, including a dubious second yellow card handed to Francesco Totti, South Korea toppled Italy 2-1. In the quarters, South Korea defeated Spain—which had multiple goals disallowed—on penalties.