Hopefully you didn’t have a bet on the favorites in this list, because you would have had a very rough time if you did!
These big sporting upsets, where massive underdogs triumph over “sure-things”, not only reshape the careers of athletes and the histories of teams but also create some of the most unforgettable narratives in sports.
Biggest Upsets In Sports History
Here is a list of some of the biggest sporting upsets in history.
1. Miracle on Ice (1980)
Perhaps the biggest sports upset, the “Miracle on Ice” took place during the 1980 Winter Olympics when the United States ice hockey team, composed largely of amateurs and collegiate players, defeated the Soviet Union, who were considered the best hockey team in the world.
The Soviets had won the gold medal in six of the previous seven Olympics and were expected to dominate again. The U.S. team’s 4-3 win in the medal round was a monumental achievement and became a symbol of pride and resilience, encapsulated in broadcaster Al Michaels’ iconic call: “Do you believe in miracles? Yes!”
2. Japan defeats South Africa in Rugby (2015)
The 2015 Rugby World Cup provided one of the most startling results in the sport’s history when Japan defeated two-time world champions South Africa 34-32.
Japan, a team that had not won a World Cup game since 1991, executed a stunning performance, culminating in a try in the dying moments of the match. This victory, often called the “Brighton Miracle,” is widely considered the greatest upset in rugby history.
3. Buster Douglas knocks out Mike Tyson (1990)
Mike Tyson was the undefeated and undisputed heavyweight champion of the world and a fearsome force in boxing when he faced James “Buster” Douglas in Tokyo.
Tyson was a 42-1 favorite, and Douglas was largely considered a fill-in opponent with minimal chances.
However, Douglas defied all odds and knocked Tyson out in the tenth round, capturing the heavyweight title in a fight that remains a high-water mark for boxing upsets.
4. Leicester City wins the Premier League (2016)
Leicester City’s win in the 2015-2016 Premier League season is a modern-day fairy tale.
At the start of the season, Leicester were considered one of the favorites for relegation and their odds to win the league were 5000-1! They had narrowly avoided relegation the previous season.
Yet, under the management of Claudio Ranieri, Leicester defied every expectation, clinching the title with two games to spare and becoming one of the most improbable champions in football history.
5. Greece wins UEFA Euro 2004
Greece’s victory at Euro 2004 is another remarkable underdog story. Ranked as outsiders, Greece defeated host nation Portugal 2-1 in the opening match, which was just a prelude to their surprising run to the final.
They met Portugal again in the final and secured a 1-0 victory, thanks to a header from Angelos Charisteas. Greece’s disciplined and tactical gameplay under coach Otto Rehhagel led them to their first major tournament win.
6. Appalachian State beats Michigan (2007)
In one of college football’s biggest upsets, Appalachian State, a Division I-AA team, defeated Michigan, a top-ranked Division I-A team, 34-32 in Ann Arbor.
This was the first time a ranked Division I-A team had been defeated by a Division I-AA team.
The game ended dramatically with Appalachian State blocking a field goal attempt by Michigan in the final seconds.
7. 1983 Cricket World Cup: India beats West Indies
Entering the 1983 Cricket World Cup, the West Indies were the reigning champions and favorites, having dominated the previous two tournaments. India, on the other hand, were considered minnows with slim chances of making an impact.
However, in a low-scoring final at Lord’s, India stunned the cricketing world by defeating the West Indies to claim their first World Cup, a victory that would ignite a cricketing revolution in the country.
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