Fifa World Cup: top 10 biggest upsets in history, after Saudi Arabia stun Argentina

As the dust settles on the Saudis’ historic win, research group releases timely list of biggest upsets over course of World Cup’s storied 92 years

From Germany’s loss to South Korea in 2018 to Spain’s 2010 defeat by Switzerland, here’s a look back at most shocking wins at the tournament

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Saudi Arabia’s Salem Al-Dawsari celebrates after scoring against Argentina. Photo: AP

Published: 6:02pm, 23 Nov 2022

We’re just three days into the 2022 Fifa World Cup, and already we have seen a massive upset as Saudi Arabia secured a shock 2-1 win over Argentina in their opening Group C match on Tuesday.

As the dust settles on their historic win, research group Nielsen Gracenote has released a timely list of the biggest football upsets over the course of the World Cup’s storied 92 years.

Using its proprietary ranking system and a formula that factors in team strength, location and history, Gracenote said that 51st-ranked Saudi Arabia’s chance of beating an Argentine side unbeaten in 36 internationals was just 8.7 per cent, which meant the result took over as No 1 on their list from the USA’s victory against England in 1950.

Here are the top 10 most shocking wins based on the Gracenote data.

Argentina’s Lionel Messi reacts after their shock loss to Saudi Arabia. Photo: Reuters

1. Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina (8.7 per cent chance), 2022

Despite Argentina taking the lead and dominating the first half, with three subsequent goals ruled out for offside, they were shocked by two Saudi Arabia goals in the space of five minutes just after half-time.