Top five greatest underdog stories in football history

Celebrating Football’s Greatest Underdog Stories

Football is a sport that is solely based on statistics, team, and individual performances; certainly, determines the outcome of a game. We have witnessed unforgettable moments throughout this sport’s history. There are moments when an underdog team defines the odds and emerges as the victor, creating some of the most memorable moments for football fans around the world.

There are stories of teams who with sheer determination, heart, and skill, have managed to overcome the odds. Here are five greatest underdog stories in the history of football:

5. Cameroon’s 1990 World Cup Run

The 1990 World Cup held in Italy was full of surprises and one of the biggest upsets came from this African side. Indomitable Lions, as they are known, made only their second appearance in the tournament, and fans, and pundits counted them out. They were drawn into Group B with the reigning champions Argentina, Romania, and the Soviet Union.

With impressive wins against Argentina, Romania, and the Soviet Union they made it to the Round of 16. In the round of 16, they faced Colombia, who were expected to win but Cameroon had different ideas as they beat them 3-1; setting up a quarter-final match with the European giants England and it was their first ever quarter-final. They did not disappoint as they beat them and went into the semis, where Germany was waiting for them.

Germans had to fight hard to win, eventually beating Cameroon 2-1 in the semis. Their style of play was exciting and fearless, the Indomitable Lions will be forever remembered as one of football’s greatest underdog stories.

4. Denmark’s Euro 1992 Victory

The story began with Denmark not even qualifying for the tournament, but when Yugoslavia were forced to withdraw due to political turmoil. Denmark was then given a second chance as a replacement team, and despite the last-minute entry, they went on to win the entire tournament.

Denmark was placed in Group 1 alongside France, England, and Sweden. In their opening match, they lost 1-0 to England, but their 1-1 draw against France kept their hopes alive. They had to beat Sweden in their last match and England had to lose or draw to let Denmark go through, England lost their match and Demark won which helped them take a step further towards the trophy.

In the semi-finals, Denmark faced the Netherlands and their 2-1 win set up an exciting final against Germany. Germany who had won the World Cup just two years earlier were seen as favourites but the underdogs stunned the reigning World Champs by winning 2-0. Their triumph was a reminder that in football, anything can happen.

3. Greece’s Euro 2004 Triumph

The year 2004 was a historic one for Greek football as their national team ranked as outsiders, stunned the football world by winning the 2004 Euro Championship. It went down as one of the stories to tell.

Greece had never won a major tournament before 2004. In that same year, they were drawn into the Group of hosts Portugal, Spain, and Russia. Winning 1-0 against Portugal in their first match was followed by winning 1-0 against all the other teams as well. They faced France, the World Champs at that time, a team that was hard to beat but they held their nerve and won that match.

The Czech Republic, the opponents in the semi-finals also had to taste defeat. This set up an exciting, mouth-watering final against the hosts Portugal who had earlier lost to Greece in their first match, Portugal had to take revenge but fell short as they were defeated again in the final.

Against all odds, they overcame some of the best teams in Europe, and with their hard work, discipline, and never dying attitude they made everything possible. This will continue to inspire football fans for generations to come.

2. Leicester City’s Premier League triumph

The 2014-15 season saw Chelsea FC lift the trophy, the first league title since 2010. The following year Chelsea was again competing for the Premier League title. The 2015-16 PL season was a shocking season that left everyone around the world speechless.

Leicester City started the season winning every match, Jamie Vardy was the standout player that season. He was the standout player as he scored in 11 consecutive Premier League matches, breaking Ruud van Nistelrooy’s, and was awarded Premier League Player of the Season. Claudio Ranieri along with his Leicester City team did something that no one expected. He led that team to be the first team outside the Top 6 to ever win the Premier League title.

It was one hell of a season where Tottenham and Leicester were competing for their first-ever trophy, Matchday 36 saw Leicester draw their match against Manchester United, hoping Chelsea win or draw against Tottenham because that was the deciding day in the Premier League. Eden Hazard in the dying minutes of the match scored an equalizer to break Tottenham’s hearts.

This particular season will be remembered as one of the best, with Leicester City avoiding relegation the previous season and ultimately winning it the next year.

1. Iceland’s Euro 2016 Performance

In the summer of 2016, an incredible story unfolded in France. Iceland, with just over 3000,000 population, an unknown team in Britain and particularly Europe made their first-ever appearance in the Euro.

Iceland’s journey to the Euros started in the qualifying campaign where they came just behind the Czech Republic, securing their spot in the playoffs. Netherlands and Iceland faced each other in the playoffs where Iceland defeated them 2-1 to book a spot to France. The group stages saw Iceland draw against Portugal, Hungary, and Austria; many pundits predicted Iceland would struggle in their group.

Despite counting them out, Iceland made it through the Round of 16. Iceland and England set up a clash for ages where they faced each other in the Round of 16. Iceland went behind early on but a stunning comeback produced a disappointing result for England as Iceland reached their first-ever quarter-final. Soon, their journey ended as France defeated them 5-2 which was heart-breaking for Iceland but they won the hearts of football fans around the world.

Football’s greatest underdog stories have shown that with resilience, determination, and team spirit anything can be achieved. These stories inspire and motivate people around the world proving that nothing is improbable.