Remember seven of the greatest upsets in the history of the World Cups

Saudi Arabia’s comeback victory over Argentina was the first unusual result of this edition of the World Cup.

Filled with players unknown to the western public, the Saudi team won one of the favorites for the title. Thus, he entered the list of historic underdogs in the World Cups, when smaller teams overthrow soccer powers. Check out the sequence below:

Germany 0v2 South Korea (2018)

The most recent of the upsets took place at the World Cup in Russia, in 2018. The then champion Germany faced the South Koreans after defeat against Mexico, in the first round of the group stage, and a dramatic victory over Sweden, in the second round , with a great free-kick by Toni Kroos in the last minute of the game. The Germans needed victory against South Korea to guarantee their place in the round of 16.

After the tie lasted for 90 minutes of regular time, the ball left a corner and landed at the feet of defender Kim Young-gwon, in the 93rd minute of the game. He took a clumsy shot that deflected off goalkeeper Neuer and swayed the top of the net. As if the drama of the goal at the end wasn’t enough, it was checked for two minutes by VAR. The blow was irreversible: in desperation, the Germans went up to the attack with goalkeeper Neuer playing on the line, in a historic scene. The archer’s boldness increased the account for the Koreans – with an open goal, the ace Son received a launch and only played inside.

The upset was huge: on the eve of the match, the South Korean coach, Taeyong, had said that he only had a 1% chance of beating the world champions. It was the first time the Germans had fallen in the group stage. The embarrassment also entered a sequence of falls in the first phase of champions in the Cup following their victory: the same happened with Italy, in 2010, and with Spain, in 2014.

South Korea 2v1 Italy (2002)

The same South Korea knocked out Italy in the 2002 World Cup, at home. The game was marred by refereeing controversies. Right at the beginning, the referee awarded a penalty to Korea. Buffon took it and, shortly afterwards, striker Vieri opened the scoring for Azzura. The Italians still missed chances to kill the game, until Seol Ki-Hyeon equalized after a cross. The game went into overtime at 1-1.

The controversy began in earnest in extra time: in a move at the edge of the area, star Francesco Totti was brought down by marker Song Chong-Gug, who already had a yellow card. The referee blew the whistle, but to give a second yellow card to Totti, who was asking for a penalty.

Finally, Ahn Jung-Hwan scored with a header from a cross and sealed the game at 2-1, 10 minutes into the second half of extra time, eliminating Italy.

France 0x1 Senegal (2002)

In the same edition of the World Cup, hosted in South Korea and Japan, the then French champions fell to Senegal, a debutant selection in World Cups that year. Papa Bouba Diop scored the goal for the Lions of Teranga and celebrated with a typical country dance.

The French were without Zidane, injured, but they were in a great phase: they had won Euro 2000 and the 2001 Confederations Cup on their way to the Cup, being one of the favorites for the title, even with the embezzlement.

Saudi Arabia 1v0 Belgium (1994)

Arabia’s victory over the Argentines was not the first setback for the Asian team. In 1994, at the World Cup in the United States, midfielder Al-Owairan lined up for the Belgian team, catching the ball before the middle and crossing the field almost to the opponent’s small area, from where he opened the scoring.

Belgium was not considered a great power like France, Italy or Germany. Even so, Al-Owairan’s goal was historic for Saudi Arabia’s first participation in World Cups, when they overcame the Belgians in their group and advanced to the round of 16 along with the Netherlands.

Argentina 0x1 Cameroon (1990)

At the 1990 World Cup in Italy, Cameroon dominated champions Argentina in the first Group B game of that edition. The Cameroonians kicked 15 balls at goal, against 6 for the South Americans. Even with one less, the Africans opened the scoring with a header from Omam Biyik. Maradona’s Argentines, who would reach the final in that edition, started the cup losing.

North Korea 1v0 Italy (1966)

Not only did the South Koreans give trouble to favorites in World Cups: North Korea eliminated Italy, two-time world champion, during the 1966 World Cup, in the United Kingdom. The teams were in the same group A, and the Italians only needed a draw to stay in the competition.

In the 41st minute of the first half, Pak Doo Ik opened the scoring for the North Koreans. The Asians debuted in World Cups and ended up qualifying for the quarterfinals, while Italy fell into one of the biggest embarrassments in its history.

USA 1v0 England (1950)

In the 1950 World Cup, hosted in Brazil, the American semi-professional team beat the English team, which participated for the first time in a Cup. The match became known as “Milagre de Belo Horizonte” and marked the first disappointment of the “kings of football”, as the English were known, who arrived at the Cup with high expectations and a great record: they had lost only four matches among the 30 played before. of the tournament.

The goal for the United States was scored by Joe Gaetjens, in the 38th minute of the first half, even after an avalanche of missed chances by the English.