The TOP TEN biggest sporting upsets of all time
by Phil McCauley on 24 July 2008
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Part of what makes sport in general so great is the fact that you never know what's going to happen. You know what SHOULD happen, but it's the unpredictability which makes everything that much more exciting. There's nothing better than a huge shock result to get people talking - and there have been some absolute crackers over the years...
1. Cassius Clay v Sonny Liston: The brash 22-year-old upstart shouldn't have stood a chance against the heavyweight champion of the world, but Clay - who changed his name to Muhammad Ali the day after the pair's first fight in 1964 - did the unthinkable and took the title from his bigger, more experienced opponent. It was a result that sent shockwaves through the world of boxing and turned Clay into the biggest sports star on the planet.
2. NY Giants v New England Patriots: The Patriots had reached the final of Superbowl XLII with an unblemished record and were hot favourites to finish the season with a 19th straight victory, but they didn't count on one of the biggest upsets in the history of the game. Eli Manning's pass to Plaxico Burress with just over 30 seconds left on the clock created the winning score as the Giants ran out unlikely 17-14 winners.
3. Foinavon wins the Grand National: Beginning the race as a rank outsider at odds of 100/1, even the horse's owner didn't bother making the trip to Aintree to watch! It was all going to form until the fence just before Canal Turn. One horse fell, setting in motion a domino effect that left carnage as all the leaders were thrown from their horses. Foinavon was so far back at this point that jockey John Buckingham had time to steer around the mess and take the lead. He held on for the most unlikely victory in the history of horse racing. In his honour, the fence where the leaders all fell was named after Foinavon.
4. Wimbledon v Liverpool: The final of the FA Cup in 1988 was supposed to be a walkover for Liverpool, the crowning glory in a season which had seen them lift the First Division trophy a couple of weeks earlier. But the Crazy Gang, who had been playing Fourth Division just five years previously, ripped up the form book as Lawrie Sanchez popped up to head home an unlikely winner for the underdogs. The game will also forever be remembered for Dave Beasant's penalty stop from John Aldridge - the first time a spot-kick had ever been saved in an FA Cup final.
5. USA v USSR ice hockey: The 1980 Olympics saw a team of amateur and collegiate players from the US go up against the highly-favoured, well-organised team of what were to all intents and purposes professional players from the Soviet Union. The Americans weren't given a cat in hell's chance of winning, but surprised everyone - themselves included - by running out 4-3 victors in what became known as the ''Miracle on ice''. The US team went on to win gold while their Cold War foes had to settle for silver.
6. Dennis Taylor v Steve Davis: Probably the one match on the green baize that EVERYONE remembers, whether you like snooker or not! It pulled the all-time record TV audience for a snooker match - one that will most likely never be beaten. More than 18 million stayed up until the early hours of the morning back in 1985 to watch Irishman Taylor defeat the undefeatable Davis in a match that went down to the last black ball of the last frame. The images of Taylor waving his cue above his head and wagging his finger will live long in the memory.
7. Goran Ivanisevic v Pat Rafter: Ivanisevic only made it to Wimbledon in 2001 with the aid of a wildcard entry. The man ranked 125 in the world was actually CRYING while still trying to serve for the match, which he eventually won 9-7 in the fifth set against Aussie Rafter. It wasn't the prettiest of finals, but it capped a quite incredible two weeks for the Croat.
8. Hereford v Newcastle: The FA Cup has thrown up some classic giant-killing acts over the years, but this was the biggest of the lot. Hereford were playing in the Southern League - the equivalent of today's Blue Square Premier - when they came up against First Division Newcastle in the third round in 1972. A 2-2 draw in the first game meant a replay at Hereford's Edgar Street ground, where more than 14,000 people witnessed maybe the greatest goal in the competition's history. Ronnie Radford picked up the ball in midfield, played a one-two and unleashed a 30-yard thunderbolt into the top corner eight minutes from time to level the scores - cue pitch invasion number one. Hereford went on to win it in extra time with Ricky George's strike - cue pitch invasion number two!
9. Bangladesh v Australia: The minnows of Bangladesh pulled off what was probably the biggest shock in the history of cricket when they somehow beat world champions in a one-day game in 2005. The Aussies were up first and posted 249-5, which should have been enough to see off the lowest-ranked one-day side in the world. But Mohammad Ashraful's century helped little Bangladesh to a five-wicket victory with four balls to spare. The Aussies had been 100/1 ON to win before the start of the match.
10. This is where you come in: There must be a whole load more classic upsets that shocked the world of sport which didn't make this list. So come on - which is the biggest one I've missed that simply has to be in your top 10?
Comments (63)
by matt g on July 24, 2008
this should be top 3. an unseated collegiate sports team beats multiple ranked teams to get to the playoffs and beats #2 for the championship.
by Joe on July 25, 2008
Hmm, not Plaxico Burress. For someone writing an article on the events of the superbowl, Mr McCauley doesn't quite seem to know his facts. So who did catch that amazing pass? The correct answer is David Tyree. Tard......
by Eric on July 25, 2008
Tyree kept the drive alive, but Plax scored the winning touchdown.
by Adam on July 25, 2008
Michigan vs. Appalachian State?
by Brandon Hofer on July 25, 2008
In 2003 the Minnesota Wild were in their third year as an nhl franchise. They were a team of misfits and youngsters that were expected to finish near last in the league. Miraculously they made the playoffs in the last spot. Playing against the heavily favored Colorado Avalanche the Wild found themselves down 3 games to 1 in a best of 7 series but rallied to defeat the Avs in overtime of game 7. Andrew Brunette scored the winning goal on Superstar Patrick Roy in what would be the last game of Roy's career. They once again found themselves down 3 games to 1 against the heavily favored Vancouver Canucks, rallying to win in game 7 the wild became the only team history to come back from 3 games to 1 series defecits twice in a row.
by Me Smart on July 25, 2008
Tyree made one of the most amazing catches in NFL history coming down with the ball pressed to his helmet - but Burress made the TD catch
by Dan Blank on July 25, 2008
You missed a biggie - the 2007 game where Appalachian State upset Michigan
on July 25, 2008 on July 25, 2008
app state michigan!
He means the TD pass, not the "helmet catch".
by Duncan Lamb on July 25, 2008
Miami-Alabama, 1992 Sugar Bowl. Many peeps were crowing about how Miami that year would beat most pro teams. btw your captcha sucks.
by Josh K on July 25, 2008
This was definitely the biggest upset in college basketball.... UK vs. Duke. 1992 NCAA Basketball Regionals http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCb9FcHBIYE
by Ken Hum on July 25, 2008
Rulon Gardner beating Alexander Karelin
by Rusty Shackelford on July 25, 2008
Buster Douglass over Tyson.
Billy Mills in the 1964 Olympic 10k. After winning Gold, reporters asked him who he was.
by posner on July 25, 2008
First time ever a Division 2 college team beat a top 5 ranked team. http://www.biggestupsetever.com/
by Aaron on July 25, 2008
Rulon Garder vs. Alexander Karelin in the 2000 summer olympics is usually mentioned in lists like these.
by Steve on July 25, 2008
Come on is this list for real? Tyson vs Douglas anybody???
by JP on July 25, 2008
buster douglas ko of mike tyson
matt serra over gsp april 07
by Brady Dog on July 25, 2008
Ooooooohh so they stood up the whole tournament? No dipstick, you mean unseeded. And as for biggest upset, Appalachian State.
How is 2006 UCLA-USC Battle for the Victory Bell not on this list?
Federer vs. Nadal 2008
by Mike on July 25, 2008
George St. Pierre vs Matt Serra 1
by David Green on July 25, 2008
Rutgers vs Louisville... HUGE HUGE upset
by TTT CCC on July 25, 2008
My #1 greatest upset was when UC Davis beat Stanford in football in the last 8 seconds of the game at Stanford Stadium on 9/17/2005. Go Aggies!
by j h on July 25, 2008
wow how do you not even have the horse Upset in this? his win lead us to use the term "upset" as an improbable win. poorly researched
by Krazy Owl on July 25, 2008
Soccer is not that popoular in USA, but in the rest of the world it is widely considered as the most important sport. Therefore i think one of the biggest sporting upsets of all time, is the ultimate underdog story, Greece winning the European Championship in Portugal in 2004. It is the most difficult tournament in the world, tougher than the World Championship. Greece beat the hosts Portugal both in the premiere of the tournament as well as in the final. They also beat defending champions France and favorites Czech Republic. Before that tournament Greece had only qualified to a major tournament twice, and had never won a single match. I hope that you agree, because it was quite a shock in Europe. Noone expected it (the bookmakers increased their profits very much!)
by bob mrogi on July 25, 2008
Buster Douglas vs Mike Tyson. Back in 1990, Tyson was universally considered the most fearsome and indestructible fighter on earth. Buster was a nobody and a 42-1 underdog. In the 10th round a devastating five-punch combination sent Tyson to the canvas groping for his mouthpiece. The rest, as they say, is History.
by Luke Crowley on July 25, 2008
Good work, a list of sporting events that looks beyond the north American continent. From some lists I have read you would think sport is played no where else. Being an Australian I would like to also nominate Stephen bradbury winning Australians first eve winter Olympic gold : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQMJtilOGg http: //www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfQMJtilOGg
by Woody Couder on July 25, 2008
Texas Western over Kentucky 1966 NCAA Championship
by Graham on July 25, 2008
Chaminade Vs. Virginia--considered one of the greatest upsets in college basketball history, 800-student Chaminade beat then number-one team Virginia 77 to 72. http://espn.go.com/ncb/s/2002/1125/1466317.html
by Ryan Biltz on July 25, 2008
at least no. 3...
UH vs. NC State
by Ed C on July 25, 2008
Appalachian State Vs. Michigan, that game was incredible.
by Jeff on July 25, 2008
Biggest upset of all time? Easy. Stanford defeats #1 USC in football on October 6, 2007 -- at USC. Stanford was the 41-point underdog.
by atahualpa capac on July 25, 2008
James Buster Douglas Vs. Mike Tyson KO10 (February 10 1990). That fight should not JUST have made the above list - it should have been at number 1. None of the other entries come even close.
by Greece Rules on July 25, 2008
How about Greece winning the euro 2004. They were 200-1 to win it
by Andrew Patriot on July 25, 2008
How about 11th seed George Mason beating the #1 seed (and overall favorite to win the NCAA tournament) UCONN in the 2006 NCAA tournament. Incredible game, UCONN featured 5 1st round NBA draft picks and George Mason had none. George Mason's entry in the NCAA was questioned in the first place, and managed to get to the elite 8 to challenge UCONN for the final four, no one in the world saw George Mason advancing.
1999 Champions Leauge Final Manchester United v Bayern Munich
by Dave Jarvis on July 25, 2008
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qvgmZoKrLAc
by Neil Devlin on July 25, 2008
def has to be liverpools comeback against AC Milan in the 2005 champs league final, 3-0 dwn at half time to then win on penalties!!!
by Jack Wagner on July 25, 2008
I don't know if this list was in order, or just their top 9 in any order, but the biggest one HAS to be the Miracle On Ice. It truly was basically a minor league team beating not just a professional team, but a profession all star team. So imagine a small time college (not even a major program) playing against the NBA All Star Team and winning.
by Joe Mitchell on July 25, 2008
Chaminade defeats Virginia is by far the greatest upset of all-time. Chaminade hosted the tournament in Hawaii, which is the only reason they get to play in it every year. The college had an enrollment of 800, smaller than many high schools. Virginia was the #1 team in college basketball at the time. The final score was so unbelievable that ESPN (in its early days before instant video beamed around the world) didn't report it when it came over the ticker because they assumed it must have been a typo.
by David Moses on July 25, 2008
why dont you suggest the sporting upsets when Iran beat American 2-0 at the world cup....
by JImmy Crack Corn on July 25, 2008
Wow man, you are not kidding. Very good compilation indeed. JT www.FireMe.To/udi
by J Drumz on July 25, 2008
Villanova over Georgetown in the 1985 NCAA men's BB Championship game!
michigan vs app state of course.
Does every single Philadelphia sports season count? :s
by kyle o on July 25, 2008
hello?? redsox 2004. down 3 games to none against the yankees. alcs
by Shawn Kirsch on July 25, 2008
I had to scroll a long way before I found anyone else with the same thought: 1985, Villanova taking down Patrick Ewing and the Hoyas. I was only 7 months old at the time, and I can recognize that as a top 5 upset in the history of sports upsets.
George Mason's Final Four run, or just their win against Connecticut. Or maybe Chaminade beating UVA.
by iain macmillan on July 25, 2008
How about Scotland beating France 1-0 at home and 1-0 away during the qualifiers for the 2008 european championships??? We were drawn in what was the toughest group by far with France and Italy and when absolutely nobody expected us to come close. It came down the last game against Italy and we were cheated out of it by terrible refereeing. The best goal ever was scored against France in Paris too - James McFadden from 40 yards!
by Steve Davis on July 25, 2008
The reason that whatever college game you're going on about isn't on the list is that no one else in the world gives a toss. You play games no one else wants to play because they're boring as hell.
by Tom Sattler on July 25, 2008
James "Buster" Douglas defeating Mike Tyson.
by Mike Furmedge on July 25, 2008
Definitely! That was more like watching a Rocky film than a football game :)
by Greg Rickman on July 25, 2008
I think the Giants win over the patriots deserves a place on this list but it needs to be lower. Switch it with the "Miracle on Ice". Reasoning: USSR and USA played an exhibition game earlier that year and the US got beat down, with a final score of 10-3. While the situation for the Giants is similar the Giants only lost by a field goal. The final regular season game was lost by the Giants with a final of 38-35. To be comparable with the Miracle, and using only touchdowns, the score of the first meeting would have to be 70-21 to even come close. Just my opinion.
FYI for those who do not know: The Giants final season game was vs. the Patriots
by ANDY NELSON on July 25, 2008
ABSOLUTELY
by Kovo Soccer on July 26, 2008
This one needs to go higher on the list. http://www.soccershop.com
on August 04, 2008 on August 04, 2008
I got one, Colombia vs Argentina world cup qualifiers I think it was '98 Colombia won twice 5-0 playing in Argentina...http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rhco8tT25S8
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