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Biggest
upsets

The World Cup's magic is that anyone can beat anyone on the day. These are the results that stopped the football world in its tracks — underdogs and debutants toppling giants on the biggest stage.

1950
USA 1–0 England

Part-timers stunned the English in one of the sport's original giant-killings.

1990
Cameroon 1–0 Argentina

Cameroon beat the defending champions in the opener with nine men at the finish.

2002
Senegal 1–0 France

Debutants Senegal toppled the reigning world champions in the opening match.

2022
Saudi Arabia 2–1 Argentina

The eventual champions were beaten by Saudi Arabia in their opening game.

The pattern repeats across the decades: a fearless underdog, a complacent favourite, and a result that reshapes a tournament. Several of the most famous came in opening matches, when champions-elect were caught cold.