There is nothing more exciting for neutral football fans than witnessing high-scoring matches, where every goal is scored with the audience on the edge of their seats. From the Premier League to international tournaments, high-scoring matches are always the focus of discussion among football fans. But in football history, there are matches that exceed all expectations, with an unbelievable number of goals. So what is the highest scoring soccer game of all time? Let's explore the most unbelievable records in the world of football with Win Betting Tips through this article.
Highest scoring soccer games ever
Soccer is generally a low-scoring game, especially when compared to major US sports like basketball or American football. While the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 to win the LVII Super Cup, Spanish giants Real Madrid needed just one goal to win last year’s Champions League final against Liverpool. That’s not to say that goals are virtually unheard of in professional soccer, however — quite the opposite. Read on for a rundown of some of the highest-scoring games in the sport’s history.
8. Preston North End 26-0 Hyde United (1887)
We’ll start with one of the most impressive victories in history, although 26-0 is still far from the limit of surprise. Preston North End, in the late 19th century, were a true force in English football. They were known not only for their overwhelming strength but also for being the first team to achieve the prestigious “Double”, winning both the national league and the FA Cup in the same season. This particular match took place in 1887 in the First Round of the FA Cup, when Preston faced Hyde United – a much weaker team from a lower league.
The 26-0 result was not only a milestone but also etched in history as the biggest win ever recorded in this prestigious tournament. The difference in level turned the match into a perfect performance by Preston, affirming their overwhelming strength. It is also a reminder of the times when the difference in quality between teams resulted in unbelievable scores, creating unforgettable marks in the history of English football.
7. Villareal 27-0 Navata (2009)
Moving from a 19th century match to a 21st century match, we come to an event that, although only a friendly, had an unbelievable result, enough to make a name in football history. This match took place between Villareal, a famous La Liga club, and the semi-professional team Navata, based in Catalonia, Spain. While Villareal is a team with a rich tradition, having won the Europa League, Navata is just a small team, playing in the local league.
The final result of the match was an unbelievable number: Villareal won with a score of 27-0. This was not only a testament to the difference in class between the two teams but also an opportunity for Villareal's stars to shine. Striker Jonathan Pereira scored seven goals, while the likes of Joseba Llorente, Ruben Marcos, and especially former Arsenal star Robert Pires also contributed with many beautiful goals. This match, although unofficial, still attracted attention for its surprise and absolute dominance, highlighting the strength of big teams even in unequal confrontations.
6. Australia 31-0 American Samoa (2001)
The documentary "Next Goal Wins" attracted a lot of attention when it told the inspiring story of the American Samoa national football team, a team from a small island in the Pacific Ocean. The young players of this team constantly overcome difficulties and challenges to improve themselves, despite not having many favorable conditions to build a competitive team. However, on April 11, 2001, when the team faced the Australian team at the International Sports Stadium in Australia, the difference in level between the two teams was too obvious.
The match ended with an unbelievable score of 31-0 in favor of the Australian team, creating a world record for the biggest victory in the history of international football. But that was not the only record in this match. Home team player Archie Thompson scored 13 goals, breaking his personal record for most goals in an international match, making the day a memorable event in football history.
5. Vanuatu 46-0 Micronesia (2015)
As seen in Australia’s win over American Samoa, many Pacific Island teams face significant financial constraints and limited player numbers. This has led to high-scoring international matches involving teams from the region. Despite their passion for football, a lack of facilities and training has created a stark disparity in skill levels between teams.
A prime example is the Federated States of Micronesia, who have been dubbed “the worst international team on the planet.” In the 2015 Pacific Games, they conceded a total of 114 goals in three matches. Against Vanuatu, they suffered a humiliating 46-0 defeat. This defeat caused the Micronesia U-23 team to be eliminated from the tournament in a regrettable manner, clearly reflecting the gap between them and teams with stronger foundations.
4. Arbroath 36-0 Bon Accord (1885)
The previous season, Scottish champions Arbroath FC had attracted attention with a spectacular victory that almost ensured promotion, making them the first part-time team to play in the Scottish Premiership. However, it was another victory that would cement the club’s place in Scottish football history: a stunning victory over newly-formed Bon Accord in September 1885. This still holds the record for the highest-scoring win in a truly competitive match.
Played in the first round of the Scottish Cup, the match was held at Arbroath’s Gayfield ground and has become one of the most memorable victories in football history. It was a no-throw game, and the impressive result helped cement Gayfield’s reputation as a formidable venue for any team. This victory not only affirmed the strength of Arbroath but also contributed to building the reputation of this stadium.
3. Police Machine FC 67-0 Bubayaro FC
On 7 July 2013, one of the strangest and most surprising football matches in history took place in a little-known tournament that attracted a lot of attention from outside. It was the deciding match of the lower league season in Nigeria, where teams competed for a place in the National League – the country’s top professional league. Police Machine led 6-0 at half-time, but things didn’t stop there.
Police Machine’s opponents, Bubayaro, completely collapsed in the second half, scoring a series of own goals, leading to a disastrous 67-0 result. The result caused outrage in the football community and the authorities. The Nigeria Football Federation strongly criticized the match, calling it a scandal of epic proportions and accusing it of match-fixing. The organising committee called the result "unacceptable", leaving the event a forgettable part of Nigerian football history.
2. Plateau United Founders 79-0 Akurba
However, what was more surprising was another match that occurred in the same tournament on the same day, with an equally shocking result. This match led to serious allegations of match-fixing, and followed a similar pattern to the previous match. Akurba, the team that participated in the match, conceded 72 goals in the second half, many of them own goals.
This result further cast doubt on the integrity of the tournament. After an investigation led by Dr Mohammed Sanusi, Director of Competitions of the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), the matter was cleared. All four clubs involved in the match faced serious sanctions on suspicion of match-fixing. Each club was banned from the tournament for ten years, while all players and referees involved in the match were banned from football for life, creating a huge shock to Nigerian football.
1. As Adema 149-0 Stade Olympique de l'Emyrne
What is the highest scoring soccer game? Akurba and Bubayaro may have made headlines for their cheating in the Nigerian league, but what happened on 31 October 2002 in Madagascar's top flight was even more telling. The final game of the four-team round-robin knockout stage at the height of the season, the match between AS Adema and Stade Olympique de l'Emyrne was played against a momentous backdrop: AS Adema had won the title after drawing with SO Emyrne in the previous game. Their opponents had been eliminated from the title race, and they were furious, with the club feeling as though a questionable refereeing decision had cost them the win. Their response? One of the strangest protests in football history.
In the final match of the season, as soon as the referee blew the whistle, SO Emyrne players started scoring own goals. They kept hitting the ball into their own net, scoring a staggering 149 own goals in 90 minutes (an average of more than one goal per minute). Adema won 149-0, and the visitors suffered dire consequences. The coach and four players lost their jobs, and were banned from playing for other teams for three years, meaning they could not play for other teams. However, because the referee decided to let the match go on, the result stood, and the record for the most goals scored in a football match ever is firmly held by these two teams in the TBH Champions League, Madagascar’s top flight.
Conclusion
High-scoring games are always the most exciting part of football, affirming the inherent surprise and drama of the king of sports. Whether they are the results of overwhelming victories, dramatic matches, or even controversial events, they all leave an unforgettable mark on the hearts of fans. From Preston North End's 26-0 victory in 1887 to the bizarre 149-0 match in Madagascar, each match tells a special story. Through these records, football proves that it is not just a sport of tactics or skills but also a stage for intense emotions and great surprises. And surely, in the future, there will be many more incredible records waiting to be set.
See more: Top 10 biggest win in football history
