The Definitive Ranking Of World Cup Upsets

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10. Cameroon vs. Argentina (1990)

joncandy / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Via Flickr: joncandy

Cameroon 1, Argentina 0

Reigning world champions Argentina, with the infamous Maradona, fell to Cameroon, a country making only their second ever World Cup appearance.

9. Vuvuzela vs. Crowd (2010)

Via gettyimages.com

Vuvuzelas 1,000, Crowd 0

The world was not prepared for the sheer power of these noisemaking machines. Too bad for any fanbase that showed up to South Africa 2010 inadequately prepared, because they would be easily drowned out by the loud and annoying sound of the native vuvuzela.

8. Iran vs. USA (1998)

seair21 / CC BY-SA http://2.0 / Via Flickr: kohistan

Iran 2, USA 1

Of course, political tensions were high with this match in particular. While neither team really had many expectations at all in this tournament, the USA was in a good position to build upon the progress they made four years prior when they hosted the World Cup. Iran thought otherwise, as they managed to fend off the United States to win by one goal.

7. Senegal vs. France (2002)

mayanais / CC by http://2.0 / Via Flickr: mayanais

Senegal 1, France 0

France was the reigning world champion, and Senegal was simply another West African country trying to make a splash on the world's greatest stage. One goal was enough to win the game for Senegal. Surprisingly, France ended up not advancing out of the group stage of this World Cup.

6. Algeria vs. West Germany (1982)

jasonwhat / CC by http://2.0 / Via Flickr: wojo

Algeria 2, West Germany 1

The odds for West Germany were 3–1 to win this World Cup, whereas Algeria was 1000–1. In fact, the German manager had already "promised" a victory, which just made it so much more sweet when Algeria put down the German favorites.

5. Bulgaria vs. Germany (1994)

oblonberlin / CC BY http://2.0 / Via Flickr: 50999481@N05

Bulgaria 2, Germany 1

Bulgaria was already proud to have reached the quarterfinals, and naturally, Germany was a highly touted favorite who planned on making easy work of their European neighbors. But two goals by Bulgaria put them past Germany and through to the semifinals.

4. North Korea vs. Italy (1966)

LaertesCTB / CC by http://2.0 / Via Flickr: laertes_za

Italy 0, North Korea 1

Naturally, Italy was highly favored in this World Cup, and North Korea was simply expected to be practice. All it took was a goal before halftime to create one of the craziest upsets ever.

3. USA vs. England (1950)

braveheartsports / CC BY http://2.0 / Via Flickr: braveheartsportsnetwork

USA 1, England 0

The U.S. had just lost seven consecutive international games by a combined score of 45–2, the Brits were highly favored, yet somehow the Stars and Stripes managed to get a goal and hold on for dear life for 90 minutes.

2. Brazil vs. Germany (2014)

rickymontalvo / CC BY-ND http://2.0 / Via Flickr: rickymontalvo

Germany 7, Brazil 1

While there wasn't necessarily an underdog in this matchup, no one expected this result. Brazil, favored to win it all as hosts of this year's tournament, went down by five goals in the first thirty minutes, and went on to be absolutely demolished by the German machine. This was the highest scoring semifinal match in tournament history, at the expense of the host nation.

1. USA vs. Portugal (2002)

Via gettyimages.com

USA 3, Portugal 2

Portugal was heralded as the "golden generation" for this contest, with a star-studded lineup that had the world convinced they were worthy of bringing home the trophy. But in their opening game of the World Cup, USA immediately scored three goals and managed to hold on until the 90 minutes were up.