Top 10 biggest football shocks ever!

As Leicester City top the Premier League table, after beginning the season as 5000/1 outsiders, we ask what were the top 10 biggest football shocks ever?

10: Denmark win 1992 European Championship

It definitely counts as one of the biggest football shocks ever when a major international tournament is won by a team who didn’t even qualify! Invited to replace war-torn Yugoslavia only 10 days before the tournament began, they rose to the challenge and defeated Germany, 1990 World Cup Winners, in the final.

9: Liverpool win 2005 Champions League

Liverpool’s triumph would be remarkable even if they hadn’t come back from 3-0 down in the final. They qualified for the competition thanks to a fourth place league finish, and struggled to make it out of the group stage. According to online gambling sites in the Uk, they were 101.00 (100/1) to win at half-time, but somehow, thanks to penalties, they did.

8: North Korea beat Italy at 1966 World Cup

The Italians were football royalty, having won the World Cup in 1938. North Korea were unknown, and 1001.00 (1000/1) outsiders to win the tournament. Their victory over the Azzuri, thanks to a strike by Pak Doo-Ik, ranks as one of the greatest upsets ever. The Italians sacked their coach, while the North Koreans made it to the quarter-finals.

7: Germany beat Hungary in 1954 World Cup Final

The so-called “Miracle of Bern” saw one of the biggest football shocks ever: not only did Hungary lose to Germany, but they ended their reign as one of the world’s greatest football teams. The Hungarian nation were expectant, and upon returning home as losers, the team were shunned and persecuted.

Liverpool won the Champions League against the odds (Photo: sueddeutsche.de)

6: Nottingham Forest win the 1978 title in England

If you bet on sports in the UK, and think Leicester’s crazy rise is completely unique, you’d be wrong! Brian Clough’s side were lucky to be promoted the previous year, but somehow managed to win the league in their first season. They didn’t have to fight financial disadvantage like Leicester do today, but their opponents weren’t bad: second-placed Liverpool were European champions.

5: USA beat England at 1950 World Cup

If you make a film about a game, then it’s probably one of football’s greatest upsets. The United States’ 1-0 win spawned a book, The Game of their lives and a film, The Miracle Match. A nation who barely played soccer beat a team that at the time had a reputation as the “Kings of Football”.

4: Senegal beat France at the 2002 World Cup

France had won the previous World Cup, and were expected to ease past Senegal, making their debut in the competition. Zinedine Zidane, French star and greatest player in the world, pulled out through injury, and Senegal – particularly 21 year-old El Hadji Diouf – saw their chance to make sporting history.

3: Uruguay defeat Brazil to win the 1950 World Cup

This easily qualifies to be one of the biggest shocks ever: it happened a lifetime ago and yet Brazilians still remember it. Brazilians were completely sure that they would win their first World cup, but Uruguay had other ideas. The shock even has a name, Maracanazo, representing the pain felt at the defeat in the Maracana Stadium.

2: Greece win Euro 2004

They didn’t win it in style, but their defensive solidity sealed a place for Greece in football history. They were not expected to challenge for the title, with pre-tournament odds of 151.00 (150/1). They beat the the Czech Republic, France, and Portugal (twice) on route to the title.

1: Leicester City win the Premier League… maybe

Okay, so this hasn’t happened yet. But they are top of the league, while online sportsbooks make them favourites. Those who had bet on them before the season can already cash out for great profit. If the Foxes succeed, their 5001.00 (5000/1) chances at the start would easily make this one of the biggest football shocks ever.

Leicester City to Win the league at 2.38 (11/8) at BetVictor.