In today’s special feature, we take a look at few upsets in World Cup history that have made everyone stand up and take notice. We have tried to focus on those that have occurred on a bigger scale than the ones in a single game.
Here they are:
Slovakia in 2010 World Cup
Group Stage:
Round of 16: Slovakia 1-2 Netherlands
– Italy, the holders at the time had a dismal World Cup as they failed to win a single match. On the other hand, minnows Slovakia did just enough to qualify from the group as they beat the Azzuri’s in a see-saw game that was settled by Kamil Kopunec’s 89th minute strike. Italy reduced the deficit but failed to grab the equalizer and were knocked out, the game finished 3-2 in favor of Slovakia. Slovakia finished second, behind Paraguay in the group.
– In the round of 16, Slovakia met the “would be” finalists, Netherlands, and gave them a good run for their money. The Oranje turned out as eventual winners and reached the final before losing out to Spain.
South Korea in 2002 World Cup
Group Stage:
Round of 16: South Korea 2 – 1 Italy
Quarter Final: Spain 0 – 0 South Korea (Won 3 – 5 on penalties)
Semi Finals: Germany 1 – 0 South Korea
Third place match: South Korea 2 – 3 Turkey
– Co-hosts South Korea finished as group toppers by beating Poland and Portugal 2-0 and 1-0, while managing to draw 1-1 against the US.
– In their Round of 16 tie, South Korea defeated Italy with a golden goal from Perugia’s Ahn Jung-Hwan. After the game, Ahn was told by Perugia’s Italian president, Luciano Gaucci, that he would never play for the club again, only for Gaucci to have a change of heart the next day.
– In the Quarter final, Spain were unable to win a second consecutive penalty shoot-out, when they lost to South Korea after having two goals controversially disallowed in normal time, with South Korea becoming the first (and, as of 2010, the only) team from outside Europe and the Americas to reach the final four of a World Cup.
– In the Semi final, a 75th minute goal by Germany’s Michael Ballack was enough to cut short the dreams of the South Korean players and fans alike.
– Turkey defeated South Korea 3–2 victory over hosts South Korea,to clinch third place, in a match that also included the fastest World Cup goal ever scored, scored by then Parma striker Hakan Şükür after just 11 seconds.
Croatia in 1998 World Cup
Group Stage:
Round of 16: Romania 0 – 1 Croatia
Quarter Final: Germany 0 – 3 Croatia
Semi Final: France 2 – 1 Croatia
Third place match: Netherlands 1 – 2 Croatia
– Playing in their first ever World Cup, Croatia beat Jamaica 3–1, Japan 1–0 before losing their final group stage match against Argentina 0–1.
– In their Round of 16 tie, Croatia faced Group G winners Romania. Croatia won the game 1-0 through a penalty converted by Davor Šuker in injury time of the first half.
– In the Quarter final, Croatia were pitted against giants Germany, who had knocked them out in the UEFA Euro 1996 quarter-finals two years ago. The game ended in a 3–0 win, which is still regarded by the Croatian fans and the media as one of the most memorable matches the national team has ever played.
– Croatia went on to face hosts France in the semi-finals, but sadly lost the game 1–2 when an opener scored by Šuker in the 46th minute was immediately equalised by Lilian Thuram in the next minute. Thuram also scored France’s second goal in the 69th minute. After Croatia’s exit, then manager Miroslav Blažević came under heavy criticism by the Croatian press for not sending in Robert Prosinečki soon enough after France took the lead.
– Croatia won their third place tie 2–1 through goals by Šuker and Prosinečki. Goal keeper Dražen Ladić was awarded player of the match, for a career-best performance which saw him save numerous shots from Dutch players.
Bulgaria in 1994 World Cup
Group Stage:
Note: 3 teams were selected out of which the 3rd team was put in a ranking table containing all the 3rd placed teams. Out of that 4 teams were selected for the next round.
Round of 16: Bulgaria 2-1 Germany
Quarter Final: Bulgaria 1-2 Italy
– Bulgaria had a lot of talented players at their disposal such as Hristo Stoichkov and Yordan Letchkov, but no one expected them to do what they did. First they finished ahead of the more fancied Argentinians in their group courtesy of a 2-0 win over the Albiceleste.
– In the round of 16, Bulgaria faced against Mexico and this was an even match-up. The game finished 1-1 and Bulgaria won 3-1 on penalties thanks to their keeper Borislav Mikhailov.
– Next, they did the impossible. Drawn against the mighty Germans, it was an uphill task which became worse after the Germans took the lead in the 48th minute by Lothar Matthaus’ penalty. From then on it was supposed to be one way traffic, but, Hristo Stoichkov had other plans. The Barcelona attacker scored a sumptuous free-kick to level the score in the 78th minute. The nervy Germans were then punished by Yordan Letchkov who scored a powerful header to complete the comeback in the 78th minute and shock the entire world!
– Bulgaria’s dream run ended in the Semis when they were beaten by a Roberto Baggio inspired Italian side but not without giving them a scare. The Italians had a 2-goal lead reduced to half the margin after Stoichkov scored from the penalty spot. The Azzuris however held on to reach the finals.
North Korea in 1966 World Cup
Group Stage:
Note: 2 points were awarded for each win, 1 point for a draw
Quarter Final: Portugal 5-3 North Korea
– North Korea were supposed to be the Whipping boys in the 1966 World Cup held in England, but they rose from a “minnows” status and surprised everyone as they became the 1st Asian team to qualify for the knockout stages in the World Cup. Grouped with the Italians and mighty Soviet Union back then, the result was inevitable – an absolute hammering. When they were beaten 3-0 by the Soviet Union in the 1st game, the writing was on the wall. Korea however, decided to approach the 2nd game with caution and managed to get a 1-1 draw over the more fancied Chileans. Their last game was against the Italians and they produced a display that was beyond belief; Italy were beaten 1-0 by the North Koreans who played good efficient football and deserved their place in the 2nd round.
– North Korea were again written off in the 2nd round as they up against Portugal who had one of the best players back then, his name was Eusebio. But there wasn’t a single person who would have predicted what was going to happen in the 1st half as Korea were 3-0 up inside 25 minutes! However, Eusebio inspired Portugal came back to win the game 5-3 with the striker scoring 4 out of the 5. North Korea were knocked out but gave the World a brilliant game of football to watch!
