Throughout its history, the beautiful game of football has produced some of the most epic matches. Some of the most breathtaking moments have been etched forever in the memories of diehard fans around the world. There have been some incredible games with stunning scores that have made their way into the record books of the sport. With that said, here are Wintips top 10 biggest win in football history.
Top 10 biggest wins in football history
10. China 19 - 0 Guam
In the 2000 Asian Cup qualifying match, China showed their superiority by being ranked 112 places higher than Guam in the FIFA rankings. The Guam team, led by former Newcastle United goalkeeper Willie McFaul, was mainly made up of amateur players, such as teachers, bank employees and students, who lacked international experience. This made it difficult for them to counter the strength of their opponents.
As a result, China easily won 19-0, a score that reflected the difference in skill level between the two teams. This victory not only helped China firmly on the path to conquering the Asian Cup but also served as an important stepping stone for them to reach the semi-finals of the tournament. In particular, the year 2000 marked an important milestone when China qualified for the World Cup for the first time in 2002.
9. Iran 19 - 0 Guam
Less than a year after their humiliating 19-0 defeat to China in the 2000 Asian Cup qualifiers, the Guam national football team suffered another heavy defeat, this time against Iran in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. Under the guidance of coach Willie McFaul, Guam faced yet another test against the mighty Iran.
The match ended in a 19-0 victory for Iran, a result that showed the huge gap in skill between the two teams. In this match, Iran's star man, Karim Bagheri, showed his outstanding talent by scoring a hat-trick of six stunning goals. Guam were powerless to stop the powerful attacks of their opponents, and once again, they suffered a humiliating defeat.
8. Kuwait 20 - 0 Bhutan
Before the match against Kuwait in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers, Bhutan had only played their first competitive football match a few days earlier, leaving them lacking international experience. Despite a decent start, Bhutan held firm for nearly the first 20 minutes without conceding a goal. However, their lack of experience put them under immense pressure. After a clear foul in the box, Bhutan were awarded the first of four penalties in the match.
After Kuwait took the lead, the team attacked strongly and continued to increase their lead. During the remaining time of the match, Kuwait scored 19 more goals, winning by an unbelievable score of 20-0. The top scorer in the match was Bashar Abdullah, who scored a hat-trick for a total of eight goals, helping Kuwait to a historic victory and part of a memorable milestone in the 2000 AFC Asian Cup qualifiers.
7. Guam 0 - 21 North Korea
The third time on the list of the heaviest defeats in football history is the small team Guam, who suffered a disastrous defeat against North Korea in the 2005 East Asian Football Championship. While Guam have always struggled against strong teams, this defeat presented them with a challenge beyond their capabilities. North Korea, aiming to improve their goal difference, played a relentless attack and did not allow their opponents any chance.
Throughout the match, North Korea attacked vigorously, scoring an average of a goal every four minutes. Guam, inexperienced and unable to keep up with the pace of the game, were completely helpless against their opponents' power. In the end, North Korea won by an overwhelming score of 21-0, an unbelievable victory. In this match, North Korea's Kim Kwang-hyok became the star, scoring seven goals, contributing greatly to the team's crushing victory. This match became a testament to the huge gap in skill between the two teams.
6. Tonga 0 - 22 Australia
Despite facing one of the weakest teams in international football, Tonga, Australia coach Frank Farina decided not to take any risks and fielded his strongest team to face his opponents in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers. Aiming for a big win and not to let any surprises happen, Farina prepared his players with a strong and uncompromising attacking strategy.
From the very first minutes, the Australian team launched a ruthless attack, completely overwhelming Tonga. The Socceroos' strength was clearly demonstrated through their continuous attacks and the precision of their shots. Throughout the match, the Australian players kept scoring, eventually winning a record 22-0 against Tonga. Coventry City striker John Aloisi was the star of the show for Australia as he scored an incredible six goals, not only moving Australia closer to qualifying for the 2002 World Cup but also setting a remarkable milestone in qualifying history.
5. Preston North End 26 - 0 Hyde
In the 1880s, Preston North End were one of the dominant teams in world football, and they maintained their excellent form before entering the match against the weak Hyde. Before facing Hyde, coach William Sudell's team had gone through a 41-match unbeaten streak, showing their superiority in strength and technique. Hyde, who had only become a professional football club two years earlier, clearly had less experience than their opponents.
In this FA Cup match, Preston North End showed absolute dominance from the very first minutes. Within just the first two minutes, they had scored the opening goal, clearly confirming the difference in class between the two teams. Preston's main striker Jimmy Ross became the brightest star, scoring seven goals in the match. The match ended with Preston North End winning an incredible 26-0, a crushing victory that demonstrated their absolute dominance in football at the time. This victory was not only a testament to Preston's dominance but also a historic milestone in the FA Cup.
4. Tahiti 30 - 0 Cook Islands
In the 1971 South Pacific Games, Tahiti recorded one of the biggest victories in football history when they faced the Cook Islands. The Cook Islands had suffered a heavy 16-1 defeat to Papua New Guinea just days before the match against Tahiti, making them the underdogs in this match. In fact, the Cook Islands not only had difficulty with the strength of their opponents, but also lacked the preparation and experience to deal with a team as strong as Tahiti.
When the match began, the Cook Islands could not withstand the overwhelming strength of the home team Tahiti. Playing at home and with the enthusiastic cheers of the audience, Tahiti attacked strongly from the first minutes. During the match, the home team scored 30 consecutive goals without conceding a single one. The final result was a resounding 30-0 victory, a scoreline that shocked Cook Islands fans. The victory was not only a great achievement for Tahiti, but also a testament to the superiority of the two teams in the South Pacific Games that year.
3. Australia 31 - 0 American Samoa
For the second time on this list, the Australian national soccer team, or Socceroos, scored one of the biggest wins in soccer history. In the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, Australia showed their overwhelming strength when facing the underdogs American Samoa. Considered one of the most lopsided matches in the history of the qualifiers, the Socceroos showed no mercy and played their hearts out against their opponents.
From the opening whistle, the Australian team clearly dominated. They attacked strongly and constantly put pressure on the opponent's goal. Throughout the match, Australia not only scored consecutively but also created a historical milestone when striker Archie Thompson set a world record of 13 goals in a single match. Thompson's goal was a testament to his superior skill and speed as well as the efficiency of the whole team. The match ended with Australia winning 31-0 against American Samoa, an unbelievable scoreline that reflected the huge difference in skill between the two teams. The victory was not only a historic milestone in World Cup qualifying, but also one of the most memorable victories in international football history.
2. Dundee Harp 35 - 0 Aberdeen Rovers
The second biggest win in football history was recorded when Dundee Harp faced Aberdeen Rovers in the Scottish Cup in 1885. The match was notable not only for its shocking scoreline but also for a strange element: Aberdeen Rovers fielded only ten players instead of a full squad. This put the team at a huge disadvantage, making it impossible for them to compete against a strong opponent like Dundee. This lack of players had a direct impact on Aberdeen Rovers' ability to defend and attack throughout the match.
Dundee Harp took full advantage of this advantage, with an impressive performance. At half-time they led by an incredible 16-0. They continued their attacking play in the second half, scoring a further 19 goals, ending the match with a resounding 35-0 victory. Captain D'Arcy Junior in particular had an outstanding day, scoring ten goals and leading the team to a historic victory. This was one of the biggest victories in football history, and will forever be an unforgettable part of Scottish Cup history.
1. Arbroath 36 - 0 Bon Accord
The crown for the biggest win in football history to date goes to Scottish club Arbroath, who achieved a remarkable feat by recording a 36-0 win over Bon Accord in the 1885 Scottish Cup. This was not only the highest scoreline in football history, but also one of the greatest sporting records in the world. It is worth noting that Arbroath's victory came on the same day as Dundee Harp's 35-0 win over Aberdeen Rovers, which had broken the previous record. However, Arbroath's victory still holds the record and is one of the most memorable results.
The oddity of this Arbroath victory is that they could have scored even more goals. In total, seven of their goals were ruled out for offside, which could have made the actual scoreline much higher. However, the 36 goals that were not ruled out were still enough for Arbroath to make an indelible mark in football history. This match was not just a simple victory, but also a testament to Arbroath’s superiority at the time.
Conclusion
The top 10 biggest wins in football history showcase some of the most remarkable and one-sided victories the sport has ever seen. These matches highlight the dominance of teams like Arbroath, who set the record with a 36-0 win in 1885, as well as other historic results that emphasize the gulf in class between certain teams. From overwhelming scorelines in domestic cup competitions to international qualifiers, these games stand as a testament to football's unpredictable nature and the occasional dominance of one side. Though some of these matches have become part of football folklore, they also remind us that, in sport, anything is possible. These record-breaking victories will forever remain a part of football history.
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