Ghanians celebrate a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup in Germany -- statistically one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Here is a list of the top five World Cup upsets based on data company Gracenote's analysis, along with some other shocks that caused a stir.
Ghanians celebrate a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic at the 2006 World Cup in Germany -- statistically one of the biggest shocks in World Cup history. Here is a list of the top five World Cup upsets based on data company Gracenote's analysis, along with some other shocks that caused a stir.
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<strong>No. 1: USA 1-0 England, 1950</strong><br />England captain Billy Wright (L) and U.S. captain Ed McIlvenny exchange souvenirs at the start of their match on June 29, 1950 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Led by a semi-professional squad, America's win is statistically ranked as the all-time greatest upset in World Cup history by Gracenote.
No. 1: USA 1-0 England, 1950
England captain Billy Wright (L) and U.S. captain Ed McIlvenny exchange souvenirs at the start of their match on June 29, 1950 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. Led by a semi-professional squad, America's win is statistically ranked as the all-time greatest upset in World Cup history by Gracenote.
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<strong>No. 2: Switzerland 1-0 Spain, 2010</strong><br />Switzerland's midfielder Gelson Fernandes (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the only goal of the second biggest World Cup upset in history. Spain would, however, recover to win the tournament held in South Africa.
No. 2: Switzerland 1-0 Spain, 2010
Switzerland's midfielder Gelson Fernandes (L) celebrates with teammates after scoring the only goal of the second biggest World Cup upset in history. Spain would, however, recover to win the tournament held in South Africa.
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<strong>No. 3: Algeria 2-1 West Germany, 1982 </strong><br />Any Algerian old enough to watch will remember where he or she was when the North African country stunned one of Europe's powerhouses. Led by an assist and winning goal from Lakhdar Belloumi (front row, 5th L), Algeria pulled off the inconceivable, becoming the first African team to beat a European team in its first-ever World Cup match. West Germany eventually lost to tournament winners Italy in the 1982 final.
No. 3: Algeria 2-1 West Germany, 1982
Any Algerian old enough to watch will remember where he or she was when the North African country stunned one of Europe's powerhouses. Led by an assist and winning goal from Lakhdar Belloumi (front row, 5th L), Algeria pulled off the inconceivable, becoming the first African team to beat a European team in its first-ever World Cup match. West Germany eventually lost to tournament winners Italy in the 1982 final.
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<strong>No. 4: Ghana 2-0 Czech Republic, 2006</strong> <br />A quiet upset that lives on in the hearts of Ghanians . Coming off a 2-0 disappointment at the hands of Italy, Ghana bounced back to beat the Czech Republic with goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari (pictured celebrating).
No. 4: Ghana 2-0 Czech Republic, 2006
A quiet upset that lives on in the hearts of Ghanians . Coming off a 2-0 disappointment at the hands of Italy, Ghana bounced back to beat the Czech Republic with goals from Asamoah Gyan and Sulley Muntari (pictured celebrating).
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<strong>No. 5: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil, 1950</strong><br />With Brazil cruising to victory in front of a crowd of 200,000 in Rio De Janeiro's Maracana stadium, Uruguay scored twice in 13 minutes to claim the tournament. In 2009, winning scorer Alcides Ghiggia was enshrined at the Maracana's Walk Of Fame. Ghiggia once said of his famous goal: "Only three people managed to silence the Maracana Stadium: the Pope, Frank Sinatra and I."
No. 5: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil, 1950
With Brazil cruising to victory in front of a crowd of 200,000 in Rio De Janeiro's Maracana stadium, Uruguay scored twice in 13 minutes to claim the tournament. In 2009, winning scorer Alcides Ghiggia was enshrined at the Maracana's Walk Of Fame. Ghiggia once said of his famous goal: "Only three people managed to silence the Maracana Stadium: the Pope, Frank Sinatra and I."
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<strong>Italy 3-2 Brazil, 1982</strong><br />Brazilian Zico (#10) led probably the most hyped team not to win the World Cup, losing to an inspired Italian side backed by bruising defender Claudio Gentile (#5) and a hattrick from Paulo Rossi. Given less than a 19% chance of winning, the result was Italy's biggest upset in tournament history, according to Gracenote.
Italy 3-2 Brazil, 1982
Brazilian Zico (#10) led probably the most hyped team not to win the World Cup, losing to an inspired Italian side backed by bruising defender Claudio Gentile (#5) and a hattrick from Paulo Rossi. Given less than a 19% chance of winning, the result was Italy's biggest upset in tournament history, according to Gracenote.
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<strong>Saudi Arabia 1-0 Belgium, 1994</strong><br />Making their World Cup debut, the Saudis had already surpassed expectations with a 2-1 win over Morocco before improbably beating Belgium with a wondrous goal from Saeed Al-Owairan (pictured). Saudi entered the match with a less than 23% chance of winning, according to data analysts Gracenote. The loss still ranks as Belgium's most improbable in the World Cup.
Saudi Arabia 1-0 Belgium, 1994
Making their World Cup debut, the Saudis had already surpassed expectations with a 2-1 win over Morocco before improbably beating Belgium with a wondrous goal from Saeed Al-Owairan (pictured). Saudi entered the match with a less than 23% chance of winning, according to data analysts Gracenote. The loss still ranks as Belgium's most improbable in the World Cup.
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<strong>England 1-1 USA , 2010</strong><br />Technically a tie -- not an upset -- but the Americans were once again foils to a favored England team. Goalkeeper Robert Green (pictured) misjudged an easy Clint Dempsey strike which proved fatal in South Africa. Finishing second in the group, England were pitted against Germany and lost 4-1, while the U.S. lost a thriller to Ghana 2-1.
England 1-1 USA , 2010
Technically a tie -- not an upset -- but the Americans were once again foils to a favored England team. Goalkeeper Robert Green (pictured) misjudged an easy Clint Dempsey strike which proved fatal in South Africa. Finishing second in the group, England were pitted against Germany and lost 4-1, while the U.S. lost a thriller to Ghana 2-1.
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<strong>Germany 7-1 Brazil, 2014</strong><br />Perhaps not a huge upset, since the Brazilians were operating without injured star Neymar, but the result was certainly a shocker to the World Cup hosts. Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (right) -- who was suspended for the match -- consoled David Luiz after the final whistle in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
Germany 7-1 Brazil, 2014
Perhaps not a huge upset, since the Brazilians were operating without injured star Neymar, but the result was certainly a shocker to the World Cup hosts. Brazilian defender Thiago Silva (right) -- who was suspended for the match -- consoled David Luiz after the final whistle in Belo Horizonte, Brazil.
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