FIFA World Cup flashback: 10 upsets that shocked the world

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Brazilian fans were left heartbroken after their team's defeat against Germany in 2014 World Cup semi-final

The biggest sporting event in the world, FIFA World Cup is second to none when it comes to sports viewership. This sporting extravaganza had its own share of ups and downs in a total of 20 tournaments held so far. Let us now take a look at some results which completely shocked the entire football world.


#10 USA 1-0 England, 1950

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The USA team in 1950 World Cup

It was a mismatch made in heaven. The American amateur team was no match for the English team which was termed as tournament favourites.

Having lost the opening match to Spain by a scoreline of 3-1, the American team was not even expected to give a fight to the English team let alone winning the game.

The English team attacked from the word go but was denied by the masterclass of USA goalkeeper Frank Borghi. His inspiring play propelled the team to take the lead in the 37th minute. The Americans were 1-0 up going into the halftime. Beaming with confidence in the second half the Americans kept the high powered English attack at bay and handed England a hugely embarrassing defeat.

#9 Brazil 1-2 Uruguay, 1950

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The Brazilian team, runner-up for the 1950 FIFA World Cup

Having gone on a rampage through the early stages of the tournament and having already crushed Sweden and Spain 7-1 and 6-1 respectively in the final group stage, the Brazilian team was clear favourites to lift the World Cup.

Such was the confidence that some newspapers printed congratulatory headlines even before the match. But Uruguay was not in the mood to give up easily.

True to its reputation, the Brazillian team took lead in the 47th minute but Uruguay replied strongly with 2 goals, 1 each in 66th and 77th minute, shocking the 200,000 strong crowd. Brazil's repeated attempts to score an equalizer bore no fruit as it lost the match, giving the Uruguayans their 2nd World Cup title.

#8 West Germany 3-2 Hungary, 1954

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The Hungarian legend Ferenc Puskas (left), lashes a shot at goal during the 1954 World Cup final

The Hungarian team was unbeaten in four years and entered the tournament with one of the finest teams ever assembled.

The Hungarians led by Puskas had thrashed the same West Germany side by 8-3 in their previous encounter. The Hungarians were favourites to win the World Cup but the Germans had other plans.

The Hungary team had a dream start as it went 2-0 up in the first 10 minutes. But by the 20th minute, West Germany had levelled the score. By scoring the winner in the 84th minute, the underdogs had produced one of the greatest World Cup shocks ever.

#7 North Korea 1-0 Italy, 1966

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The Italian team during 1966 World Cup

The Italians were one of the favourites to win the 1966 World Cup in England while the North Koreans entered the tournament as the first Asian nation ever to qualify for a World Cup.

The Azzurri needed only a draw to progress to the next round. Italy, despite having some of the biggest names in European football at that time, was trailing by 0-1 going into the halftime thanks to the goal by Korean forward Pak Doo-Ik.The only goal of the match would grant the North Koreans a passage into the second round while eliminating the Italians.

#6 Algeria 2-1 West Germany, 1982

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The Algerians pulled a rabbit out of a hat by defeating West Germany

The 1982 Algerian team remains one of Africa’s greatest ever sides, but going into their first-round match against mighty West Germany, not many expected they’d have a fighting chance.

With goals from Rabah Madjer and Lakhdar Belloumi, the Algerians proved many football pundits wrong. However, the historic 2-1 win was not enough to help them proceed to the second round.

Going into the final match of the group, both Austria and West Germany knew that a 1 or 2 goal win for the Germans would see both nations qualify at the expense of Algeria. The German side scored a goal within 10 minutes and the teams spent rest 80 minutes with no intention to attack, let alone score.

Embarrassed by this, FIFA eventually changed the rule for future tournaments ensuring that all final group games would be played simultaneously.

#5 Cameroon 1-0 Argentina, 1990

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The Argentine side led by Maradona failed to live up to its name

In arguably one of the finest moments in African football, Cameroon, despite being reduced to 9 men after a double sending-off, handed the defending world champions Argentina a 1-0 loss.

Cameroon's Omam-Biyik headed the ball into the net and scripted the defeat of Diego Maradona's Argentina.

Successful in its attempt to keep Diego Maradona in check, Cameroon held on to the slender 1-0 lead and went all the way to the 1990 World Cup quarter-finals.

#4 Senegal 1-0 France, 2002

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Senegal stunned the world champions in one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history

The Euro 2000 champions France were overwhelming favourites to beat Senegal, the team which was making its first ever World Cup appearance.

France had enough firepower in its Arsenal to win the match despite Zinedine Zidane missing the match because of an injury.

But Senegal's Papa Bouba Diop converted a deflected low cross into goal giving the African country a 1-0 lead which was enough to see them through.

France had a disastrous tournament as it did not win a game or score a single goal and became the first ever defending champion to exit at the group stage. Senegal, meanwhile, went all the way to the quarter-finals.

#3 South Korea 0-0 Spain (South Korea won 5-3 in a penalty shootout), 2002

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The penalty miss by Joaquin saw South Korea reach historical World Cup semi-final

In this game marred by controversies, South Korea ousted the European giants Spain in a penalty shootout.

Coming into the quarterfinals after defeating the Italian side with a golden goal and playing at home, South Koreans had the entire nation behind them.

Spain attacked from the start but the Korean side was well organized and was able to withstand the pressure and even created several chances of its own.

After the teams failed to break the deadlock the match went into a penalty shootout. The Koreans converted all five of their penalties and Lee Won Jae saved Joaquin’s kick thus making South Korea the first Asian side to reach the World Cup semi-finals.

#2 Spain 0-1 Switzerland, 2010

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The star-studded Spanish team suffered a defeat at the hands of Switzerland.

Coming into the World Cup after winning Euro Cup 2008 and all 10 of their World Cup qualifier matches, Spain were looking to end decades of underperformance at the game's biggest stage.

Riding high on confidence, Spain were hoping to become the eighth side to win the World Cup. But it slumped to a shocking 0-1 defeat to Switzerland and thus giving the Swiss their first victory in a World Cup opener since 1954.

Big names such as Andres Iniesta, Xavi, Fernando Torres, Jesus Navas, and Pedro failed to live up to their potential, as the Spanish giants slumped to their second defeat in 49 games. However, the Spanish team shook this defeat off and went on to win the FIFA World Cup 2010.

#1 Germany 7- 1 Brazil, 2014

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The German side's win marked the largest margin of victory in a World Cup semi-final

The highly anticipated semi-final between the two superpowers of the footballing world turned out to be a rather one-sided match with Germany demolishing Brazil 7 goals to 1.

Such was the dominance of the Germans that they pumped 5 goals past the Brazilians inside within 29 minutes. Several records tumbled as this was also the first time a team had scored seven goals in a World Cup semi-final.

Brazil's first defeat at home in 12 years brought the curtains down on their dream of winning the World Cup at home.

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Edited by Raunak J