The most recent international break featured Euro 2016 and CONMEBOL World Cup qualifiers, and upsets abounded on both continents. Of course, surprise results are nothing new--they are, in fact, the hallmark of the sport. Here are some of the biggest upsets in the history of international competition.
The 10 Biggest Upsets in International Competition
10. Northern Ireland 2 Czechoslovakia 1 (1958 World Cup)
With its team still in its early days of existence, Northern Ireland became the smallest country (in population) to reach the World Cup quarterfinals after beating Czechoslovakia 2-1 in a playoff.
Photo: @YardOfGrass | Twitter
9. Wales 4 England 1 (1980 British Home Championship)
The Welsh may have benefitted from playing a tired England squad on the day (the English had played defending world champs Argentina on a few days before), but the side’s comprehensive victory at The Racecourse Ground in Wrexham remained a high water mark until its qualification for the 2016 Euros this fall.
Photo: @FootballInT80s | Twitter
The 1980 Welsh National Team beat England 4-1 in the British Home Championship.
8. Cameroon 1 Argentina 0 (1990 World Cup)
Argentina were the defending World Cup champions. Cameroon? No one knew much about them until they pulled off this shock victory at the San Siro in Milan, thanks to a goal in the 67th minute.
Photo: @papaimaging | Twitter
Cameroon stunned defending world champs Argentina in 1990 at the San Siro.
7. Senegal 1 France 0 (2002 World Cup)
The French were the reigning champs, but an early injury to Zidane in the opening match of the 2002 tournament sealed their fates against the African side, which was boosted by a 30th-minute goal from Pape Bouba Diop.
Photo: @FIFA_Bloopers | Twitter
6. Denmark 2 Germany 0 (1992 European Championship final)
Really, the Danes’ entire run to the championship could make this list, but in defeating the Germans 2-0 in the final (essentially the same German side that won the 1990 World Cup) capped off a stunning and unexpected performance in the tournament.
Photo: @YArdOfGrass | Twitter
5. Faroe Islands 1 Austria 0 (1992 European qualifier)
The Faroes’ first competitive match was played in Sweden, as there were no suitable pitches on the islands. The team of little-known players defeated the Austrians in this September 1990 match.
4. Albania 0 West Germany 0 (1968 Euro qualifier)
Hard to call a 0-0 draw an “upset” but the West Germans needed a win to qualify for the tournament and Albania, which had a history of poor performance against the westerners held on to play spoilers just before Christmas in 1967.
3. Uruguay 2 Brazil 1 (1950 World Cup)
Before 200,000 screaming Brazilians at the Maracana in Rio, the Uruguayans broke the hearts of the home faithful with a stunning, come-from-behind 2-1 win, thanks to two second-half goals, with the winner coming from Alcides Ghiggia.
Photo: @GeorgeBakhos | Twitter
2. North Korea 1 Italy 0 (1966 World Cup)
Ich! Italy needed a draw, but the North Koreans, thanks to a goal by Pak Doo Ik, wouldn’t oblige. The North Korean government reportedly rewarded Pak with a car.
Photo: @bestpickever | Twitter
1. United States 1 England 0 (1950 World Cup)
A rag-tag group of American footballers (some only recent arrivals to the States) pulled off the biggest upset in the sport’s history on the sport’s biggest stage. U.S. goalkeeper Frank Borghi sealed the deal with a penalty save in the second half. The milestone performance became the subject of a movie--”The Game of Our Lives.”
Photo: @ClassicFoot | Twitter
