Saudi Arabia produced off one of the greatest upsets in World Cup history when they shocked a star-studded Argentina side with a come from behind 2-1 victory in their opening Group C clash on Tuesday.
This victory prompted King Salman, as per suggestion made by Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to declare a public holiday in the Arab Kingdom on Wednesday in order to celebrate the national team’s incredible feat.
The real question that stands though, is it the biggest shock of the most famous trophy in world football?
The real question that stands though, is it the biggest shock of the most famous trophy in world football?
ThisIsFootball.Africa has drawn up a list of the 10 biggest shocks in the tournament, featuring two African countries.
10. Switzerland 1-0 Spain (2010 – South Africa)
Despite going on to win their first title to date, in the Africa-first ever World Cup, Spain made the worst possible start when they narrowly went down 1-0 in their opening clash courtesy of a Gelson Fernandes strike.
9. Bulgaria 2-1 Germany (1994 – USA)
As defending champions, the Germans came into the tie as clear favourites, opening the scoring via a Lothar Matthaus’ spot-kick.
Bulgaria however turned the tie on its head, thanks to goals from former Mamelodi Sundowns coach Hristo Stoichkov and Yordan Letchkov to seal their berth in the semi-finals.
8. Northern Ireland 1-0 Spain (1982 – Spain)
The host nation were embarrassed by 10-men Northern Ireland after Mal Donaghy had been sent off for an early shower. Gerry Armstron netted the only goal of the match.
7. Republic of Ireland 1-0 Italy (1994 – USA)
Ray Houghton’s 12th minute strike condemned Italy to a shock defeat, though the Azzuri did go on to reach the final, losing to five-time winners Brazil on penalties.
6. South Korea 2-1 Italy (2002-South Korea/Japan)
Led by Dutch football coach Guus Hiddink, the co-hosts enjoyed another fairytale when they rallied from a goal down to book a spot in the last eight via an extra-time goal from Seol Ki-hyeon before Jung Hwan Ahn put the icing on the cake with a Golden Goal winner in the 117th minute.
5. North Korea 1-0 Italy (1966 – England)
As debutants, North Korea impressed in the showpiece, defeating Italy via a solitary strike from Pak Doo-ik, as they went on toreach the quarterfinals.
4. USA 1-0 England (1950 – Brazil)
The English were firm favourites to see off a less fancied USA side, but Joe Gaetjens scored the winning goal to stun them.
3. Cameroon 1-0 Argentina (1990 – Italy)
Having inspired Argentina to World Cup victory four years earlier, Diego Maradona and his charges were in for a surprise treat in their opening match against the Indomitable Lions.
Despite having two players sent off, Francois Omam-Biyik’s goal was enough to see off La Albiceleste. Argentina did reach the final but lost out to West Germany by the same scoreline.
2. Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina (2022 – Qatar)
Argentina headed into the tie on the back of an unbeaten streak that stretched as far as 36 matches, having last lost to Brazil in 2019, and looked set for another win after talisman Lionel Messi converted a 10th-minute spot-kick.
Second half goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari however completed a famous World Cup turnaround win for Herve Renard’s men.
1. Senegal 1-0 France (2002 – Korea/Japan)
Les Bleus came into the tournament as defending champions, having clinched both the World Cup in 1998 on home soil as well as the 2000 Euros co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
We selected this as the biggest upset in World Cup history because of just how good France were at the time, but even with all the top players they had at their disposal, debutants Senegal under the late French coach Bruno Metsu, pulled off the mother of all upsets thanks to Papa Bouba Diop’s 30th minute strike.
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