Shock matches in World Cup history

According to Al Jazeera, the 2026 FIFA World Cup is the most anticipated sporting event of the year. Fans are eagerly watching the race for the Golden Boot, the stars shining on the biggest football stage, and the team that will lift the coveted trophy.

Below are the most memorable shocks in World Cup history.

USA - England: 1-0 (1950)

The English team at that time included stars like Alf Ramsey, Tom Finney, and Billy Wright, and was one of the top contenders for the World Cup trophy.

In contrast, the USA team consisted of a group of amateur players, including a dishwasher, a mailman, and a teacher... This mixed group trained together for one day before sailing to Brazil by ship.

Player Joe Gaetjens scored a header in the 38th minute, putting the USA ahead. In the second half, England's attack pressed constantly, but USA goalkeeper Frank Borghi made crucial saves to prevent an equalizer, securing a historic victory.

West Germany - Hungary: 3-2 (1954)

Today, Germany coming from behind to win a World Cup match is not considered unusual. However, in the 1954 tournament, it was the little-known West German team facing the mighty Hungarian side led by brilliant striker Ferenc Puskas.

Hungary entered the World Cup in Switzerland as title favorites and proved it with a crushing 9-0 win over South Korea and an 8-3 thrashing of West Germany in earlier matches.

The two teams met again in the final. Hungary scored two goals in the first half. Then West Germany scored two to level the match. The game remained tied until the 84th minute when Helmut Rahn scored his second goal, breaking Hungarian hearts. West Germany's comeback against one of the greatest teams in football history is called the "Miracle of Bern."

North Korea - Italy: 1-0 (1966)

On the field, the Italian team was largely held together by midfielder Giacomo Bulgarelli. However, he suffered an injury, forcing Italy to play with ten men as substitutions were not allowed at the time.

Seven minutes later, North Korean player Pak Doo Ik scored a goal that not only gave his team the win but also eliminated the two-time world champion from the tournament.

This match is considered one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, and an original ticket from the game is now displayed at the FIFA World Football Museum.

Algeria - West Germany: 2-1 (1982)

West Germany came to the 1982 World Cup as European champions, a two-time world champion, and one of the strongest contenders. Their star-studded squad featured big names like Hansi Mueller, Wolfgang Dremmler, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge, and Lothar Matthaus.

In complete contrast, Algeria entered the tournament with mostly unknown players, though their form before the World Cup finals was noteworthy.

But the Germans' calm quickly turned into complacency. In the 54th minute, Rabah Madjer opened the scoring, causing the first shock. Then, right after Rummenigge brought the game level, Lakhdar Belloumi—later a legend of Algeria—scored to make it 2-1, leaving West Germany and the entire football world stunned.

Cameroon - Argentina: 1-0 (1990)

As defending champions, top favorites for the trophy, and led by superstar Diego Maradona, Argentina seemed destined for an easy opening match at the 1990 World Cup.

Argentina's opponent, Cameroon, was making its first World Cup appearance and was the only sub-Saharan African representative in the tournament. The 1990 World Cup opener took place at the legendary San Siro stadium.

Argentina started brightly, but as the game progressed, Cameroon became more resilient and confident in defense. Midway through the second half, Francois Omam-Biyik seized an opportunity from a free kick, heading the ball into Argentina's net, scoring a historic goal that secured Cameroon's victory until the final whistle.

France - Senegal: 0-1 (2002)

The opening match of the 2002 World Cup had all the ingredients for a thriller: a defending champion facing a debutant team. But what experts and the French team did not anticipate was Senegal's disciplined defense against France's attacks.

Coupled with the pace of El Hadji Diouf and a goal in the 30th minute from Papa Bouba Diop, Senegal took the lead and held on for 90 minutes.

France's journey at the 2002 World Cup was brief, as they exited in the group stage after one loss and one draw.

Meanwhile, Senegal became the second African nation to reach the quarter-finals.

Germany - Brazil: 7-1 (2014)

The golden-green team faced the German tanks in the 2014 World Cup semi-final. Both teams had followed a similar path to the semis: topping their groups and winning tight knockout matches.

However, Brazil were without star striker Neymar Jr due to injury in the quarter-final and captain Thiago Silva due to yellow card accumulation.

In the semi-final, Germany opened the scoring in the 11th minute. From the 23rd to the 29th minute, the Germans scored four more goals, leaving Brazilian fans in the stands and across the country stunned. The situation did not improve after halftime, as Brazil's defense was breached twice more. The hosts scored a consolation goal in the final minute.

The final score of 7-1 was Brazil's heaviest defeat since 1920 and became known as the "Mineirazo" (the pain at Mineirão). Germany went on to win the final against Argentina to claim their fourth title.

Netherlands - Spain: 5-1 (2014)

Spain entered the tournament as defending European and world champions, and one of the top favorites. When Xabi Alonso scored from the penalty spot in the 27th minute of the opening Group B match at the 2014 World Cup, everything seemed to be going smoothly for the star-studded Spanish side.

But just a minute before halftime, a goal that became an iconic image of the tournament occurred. Robin van Persie, just 15 meters from goal, met a lofted pass and headed it beautifully past Iker Casillas, leaving the Spanish goalkeeper and players stunned.

The Netherlands added four more goals, inflicting Spain's second heaviest defeat in World Cup history. It was also the biggest margin of defeat for a defending champion at a FIFA World Cup. Spain were eliminated from the group after another loss, while the Netherlands finished the tournament in third place.

South Korea - Germany: 2-0 (2018)

Some of the biggest shocks in World Cup history involve defending champions being eliminated in the first round, and the 2018 tournament was no exception. It was the third consecutive World Cup where the defending champion was knocked out in the group stage.

Germany entered their final group match needing a win to advance. South Korea played for pride, as they were already virtually eliminated. Hence, the German players threw everything forward to score the decisive goal.

However, just two minutes into stoppage time, South Korea's Kim Young-gwon scored from a corner. Then, Germany's captain and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer rushed up the field to support the attack. South Korea capitalized on a misplaced pass from Neuer, intercepting and scoring into an empty net. This was Germany's first-ever World Cup loss to an Asian nation.

Saudi Arabia - Argentina: 2-1 (2022)

Argentina entered the match on a 36-game unbeaten streak and were among the top contenders for the title. Everything seemed to go according to plan when Lionel Messi converted a penalty in the 10th minute to give them the lead.

However, the match unfolded with two completely different halves. Saleh Al-Shehri stunned Argentina in the 48th minute, receiving a long pass and firing a shot through the legs of goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez. Five minutes later, winger Salem al-Dawsari cut in from the left and unleashed a spectacular curling shot into the top corner, putting Saudi Arabia ahead. Saudi Arabia held off Argentina's relentless attacks in the final minutes to secure the victory.

Ultimately, Argentina went on to win the tournament, while Saudi Arabia were eliminated in the group stage after losses to Poland and Mexico. But the victory over Argentina sent Saudi fans into ecstasy and is considered one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history.