16 Stunning Soccer Underdog upsets Ever

16 Stunning Soccer Underdog upsets Ever

Here are 15 unforgettable soccer underdog upsets of all time. Hope Sunderland vs. Leeds United 1973 FA Cup final, Senegal vs France, and Denmark vs Germany among others come to your mind.

1. Sunderland vs. Leeds United (1973 FA Cup final)

In one of the biggest shocks in FA Cup history, second Division Sunderland defeated holders Leeds United 1-0 in the final at Wembley Stadium.

It was Sunderland’s second FA Cup win, and they became the first Second Division side to lift the Cup since 1931.

2. Soccer underdog Senegal vs. France (2002 Soccer World Cup)

In the opening match of the 2002 World Cup, Senegal, making their tournament debut, defeated defending champions France 1-0.

What an upset that was as as Senegal’s Bouba Diop scored the only goal of the match.

3. Greece vs. Portugal (2004 UEFA Euro final)

Everyone thought Greece was just there as a soccer underdog. All waited for that inevitable moment that Greece will lose.

But they went on and on, defeating Portugal 1-0 in the final to win their first major international trophy.

Greece’s solid defense and Angelos Charisteas’ goal secured the upset victory.

4. Leicester City winning the Premier League (2015-2016 season)

Leicester City, a team with 5000-1 odds to win the Premier League, defied all odds and clinched the title.

Everyone knew the soccer underdog would lose matches and it was just a matter of time. But the unthinkable happened. Leicester won the league.

All the premier league giants like Arsenal, Manchester City, Manchester United, Liverpool, and Chelsea were stunned.

5. Denmark vs. Germany (1992 UEFA Euro final)

Denmark were invited as late replacements for Yugoslavia.

They took the invite with open hands and went on to beat reigning champions Germany 2-0 in the final.

What a miracle it was as Denmark had not even qualified for the tournament initially. Could someone have regreted inviting them.

6. North Korea vs. Italy (1966 Soccer World Cup)

In a stunning soccer upset, North Korea defeated Italy 1-0 in the group stage of the 1966 World Cup. Amazing result.

It was a historic victory for North Korea, who became the first Asian team to defeat a European team in the World Cup.

7. Cameroon vs. Argentina (1990 World Cup)

In the opening match of the 1990 Soccer World Cup, Cameroon shocked the world by beating defending champions Argentina 1-0.

Despite being reduced to nine men, Cameroon held on to secure the upset victory.

8. Costa Rica vs. Uruguay (2014 World Cup)

Costa Rica, considered soccer underdogs in a group featuring Uruguay, Italy, and England, defeated Uruguay 3-1 in their opening match.

A surprising upset as Costa Rica went on to top their group and reach the quarter-finals.

9. Wigan Athletic vs. Manchester City (2013 FA Cup final)

Wigan Athletic, a soccer team from the second-tier Championship, defeated Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, 1-0 in the FA Cup final.

That was a huge underdog story since as Wigan secured their first major trophy in their history.

10. Greece vs. Russia (2004 UEFA Euro group stage)

Greece, considered soccer underdogs in the tournament, defeated Russia 1-0 in the group stage.

The victory helped Greece advance to the knockout stages and eventually win the tournament.

11. Denmark vs. Netherlands (1992 UEFA Euro semi-final)

Denmark, who had not even qualified for the tournament initially, defeated the Netherlands on penalties in the semi-final.

Surprise, surprise! Soccer Underdog Denmark went on to win the UEFA Euro title.

12. South Korea vs. Italy (2002 World Cup)

In the round of 16 of the 2002 Soccer World Cup, underdogs South Korea defeated Italy on penalties.

South Korea became the first Asian team to reach a World Cup quarter final stage.

13. Liverpool vs. AC Milan (2005 UEFA Champions League final)

In one of the most dramatic soccer comebacks in Champions League history, Liverpool came from 3-0 down at halftime to draw 3-3 with AC Milan.

Though Liverpool wasn’t an uderdog, as such, it was a major upset as they took the cup on penalties.

Still, It was a stunning soccer underdog upset as Liverpool claimed their fifth European Cup.

14. Underdog Saudi Arabia vs. Argentina (2022 Soccer World Cup)

. Soccer underdog Saudi Arabia vs. Argentina (2022 Soccer World Cup) 2-1

Indeed, the 2022 FIFA World Cup,  witnessed some thrilling moments!

On November 22, Saudi Arabia created a stunning soccer underdog upset by defeating Argentina 2-1 in their Group C opener.

This historic win marked Saudi Arabia’s first-ever victory over Argentina in a World Cup match.

15. Leicester City vs. Sevilla (2016 UEFA Champions League round of 16)

Undedogs Leicester City, in their debut Champions League campaign, stunned Sevilla 2-0 in the round of 16.

It was a surprising upset as Leicester City continued their remarkable underdog story.

16. Georgia vs Potugal (Euro 2024)

Though Portugal had already qualified to the round of 16, nobody gave Underdog Georgia any chance in the tournament.

But, they beat Portugal 2-0 to qualify for the knock outs in their first attempt.