FIFA

What Are The Biggest Defeats in World Cup History?

Spain's 7-0 win over Costa Rica in 2022 had the football world talking

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England got off to a hot start in its Group B opener against Iran in the 2022 World Cup, but Spain said "hold my Bud Zero."

In the second Group E match on Wednesday, the Red Fury was off to a commanding start against Costa Rica, closing out the first half with three goals. Spain then finished its clash with a 7-0 rout that left fans in awe.

The first-half performance started with Dani Olmo, Marco Asensio and Ferran Torres who brought the lead to 3-0. Then, 18-year-old Pablo Gavira put himself on the score sheet for Spain. Carlos Soler and Alvaro Morata closed out the dominating 7-0 match with goals of their own.

So, what are the biggest blowouts in World Cup history? Let’s take a look as the action continues in Qatar:

What is the biggest defeat in World Cup history?

Two nations are on the right side of history having won games by a goal differential of plus-nine, with one country achieving the feat twice.

Here’s a look at those scorelines in order by the year it happened:

  • Hungary 9, South Korea 0: 1954
  • Yugoslavia 9, Zaire 0: 1974 
  • Hungary 10, El Salvador 1: 1982

What's the most goals scored in a World Cup game?

The most goals scored in a World Cup game by one team is Hungary’s 10 against El Salvador in 1982, as aforementioned.

When combining two teams, Austria and Switzerland scored 12 in a 1954 fixture with the former winning 7-5.

What’s the most goals scored in a World Cup Final?

Brazil holds the record for most goals scored in a World Cup Final with five, when it beat Sweden 5-2 to hoist the title in 1958.

What’s the most goals scored by a team in one World Cup?

Hungary has scored the most goals by a nation in one World Cup after netting 27 times in 1954. Here’s a game-by-game look at Hungary’s ridiculous scorelines, though the incredible run ended in heartbreak:

  • Group Stage Game 1: Hungary 9, South Korea 0
  • Group Stage Game 2: Hungary 8, West Germany 3
  • Quarterfinals: Hungary 4, Brazil 2
  • Semifinals: Hungary 4, Uruguay 2
  • Final: West Germany 3, Hungary 2

Which player has scored the most goals in a World Cup game?

Forward Oleg Salenko scored five goals in Russia’s 6-1 win over Cameroon in its final group stage contest of the 1994 World Cup. 

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