Football, a simple and entertaining sport which can find its origin thousands of years ago, has grown to become the most popular sport in the world. With over 3 billion fans and countless players from every country all over the world, there is no other sport in the world that reigns supreme quite like football.
One of its greatest appeals, like any sport, is the sheer competition between the teams that player, and while some teams are always expected to win, every now and again the team you least expected to do well will take home the trophy.
What Is An Upset?
An upset is a modern term that applies to most of today’s competitive, team-based sports, and is used when an underdog manages to beat the favourite team during a match. It doesn’t happen often, but when it does, it sends the sporting world into upheaval, and there are few others thrill that can match, even something as exciting as real money slots.
Over the years, there have been plenty of unexpected wins for the underdog, but every now and again, it comes so unexpectedly that it shocks both the fans and the players, and enters the halls of football history.
Greece vs. Portugal
Greece has never been known for producing exceptional football teams, and so during the Euro 2004, no one expected that Greece would go very far. Coached by fame German trainer Otto Rehhagel, the Greece team managed to push through to the finals, but even then, no one believed they would beat Portugal, which has always been a powerhouse in international football.
Despite this, a final goal made by Greece won the game for them, and the game stands to as testament how a team can fight against the odds.
Uruguay vs. Brazil
Going back to 1950, the World Cup was being hosted by Brazil, one of the few countries in the world that has consistently had exceptional football teams.
While there was no final as we would have to go, the last match of the event pitted Brazil against underdog Uruguay, and with a series of wins already under their belt, Brazil was almost assured a win against its opponent.
Against all the odds, Uruguay managed to score two extra goals in the second half of the game, ensuring their victory, and sending Brazilian fans into turmoil.
South Korea vs. Italy
South Korea is known for its technology, its fast-paced lifestyle, and its focus on computer sports. Despite this, the country managed to beat Italy in 2002 at the World Cup. Italians had been playing soccer in different forms for centuries, and while they were never quite as skilled as other teams, many believed that they’d still beat South Korea without too much difficulty.
It wasn’t to be, however, and South Korea managed to score one last goal before the game ended, putting them in the lead and shocking the entire audience.
Football upsets have changed the history of modern football on more than one occasion, and many underdog teams out there can proudly boast of the time they won against all odds. This is just one of the many reasons that football is so beloved around the world.