12 Most Unbelievable Moments in Soccer History
Soccer has given us some of the wildest moments in sports. It can turn a community of more than mere viewers into fans who have witnessed the game’s highs and lows. This list explores some of the most unbelievable moments the sport has ever seen!
Arbroath’s 36-0 Victory Over Bon Accord (1885)
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This Scottish Cup match remains the most significant margin of victory in professional soccer. Bon Accord wasn’t even supposed to be there; he was mistakenly invited due to a mix-up with a cricket club. A team with no real experience somehow faced a ruthless Arbroath side that showed no mercy. John Petrie bagged 13 goals and set another record that still stands.
The USA Defeated England (1950)
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England was a soccer powerhouse. The U.S. was… not. So, when the two met at the 1950 World Cup, a blowout seemed inevitable. Instead, a team of part-timers from America stunned the world with a 1-0 win. The English media refused to believe it. Some thought the scoreline was a misprint, but it was real.
The ‘Fog Game’ (1937)
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In 1937, Chelsea and Charlton Athletic played a chaotic match when thick fog rolled in over Stamford Bridge. Visibility was so bad that the referee had no choice but to abandon the game. However, Charlton’s goalkeeper, Sam Bartram, stood in goal for over 15 minutes after it was called off. He was unaware that everyone else had left the field.
The ‘Donkey Kick’ Goal (1970)
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Creativity on the field sometimes leads to rule changes, and that’s exactly what happened when Coventry City’s Ernie Hunt scored his legendary “donkey kick” goal. Eventually, the association banned the move to ensure no one else could repeat the trick. But that one goal remains one of the most audacious ever seen in English football.
The Heysel Disaster (1985)
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During the European Cup final between Liverpool and Juventus at Heysel Stadium in Belgium, crowd trouble escalated, and a wall collapsed, killing 39 people. The match went on, with Juventus winning, but no one celebrated. In the end, UEFA banned English clubs from European competition for five years.
Diego Maradona’s ‘Hand of God’ Goal (1986)
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Argentina’s 1986 World Cup match against England saw Diego Maradona punch the ball into the net, but the referee let it stand. He later sheepishly referred to it as the “Hand of God.” That game was the perfect summary of Maradona himself—controversial, brilliant, and impossible to ignore.
Diego Maradona’s ‘Goal of the Century’ (1986)
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If his “Hand of God” goal was scandalous, his second goal against England was pure magic. Maradona picked up the ball in his half and ran solo. He dribbled past five English players before slotting it into the net. The entire world stood in awe. FIFA later named it the “Goal of the Century.”
Eric Cantona’s Kung-Fu Kick Against Crystal Palace Fan (1995)
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Manchester United’s Eric Cantona surprised everyone when he went into the stands and kicked a fan in the chest. It wasn’t just a push or a shove—this was full-on kung fu. This event saw one of soccer’s most lengthy and famous legal troubles.
The Fastest Goal in World Cup History (2002)
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In 2002, Turkey’s Hakan Şükür scored 11 seconds into a World Cup match against South Korea, which made it the fastest goal in tournament history. The defenders weren’t ready, the goalkeeper wasn’t prepared, and most fans weren’t either. The game had already moved on by the time replays aired.
Liverpool’s Champions League Comeback (2005)
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Being 3-0 down at halftime in a Champions League final usually means it’s over. Not for Liverpool when they faced AC Milan. They scored three goals to level the game in six minutes, forcing extra time and penalties. They completed one of the greatest comebacks and walked away with their fifth European title.
Andrés Iniesta’s World Cup Winning Goal (2010)
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The World Cup final is where legends are made, and Andrés Iniesta seized his moment in 2010. Spain and the Netherlands had battled for over 115 minutes with no breakthrough. Then, Iniesta found space in the box and smashed the ball past the keeper. Iniesta gave Spain their first-ever World Cup.
Sergio Agüero’s Title-Winning Goal (2012)
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“Agüeroooo!” That single word from commentator Martin Tyler is enough to bring goosebumps to any soccer fan. Manchester City needed a last-minute goal to win the Premier League title. The stadium exploded as Agüero delivered deep into stoppage time and secured City’s first title in 44 years.
Fan Riots in Egypt (2012)
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What started as a heated match between Al-Masry and Al-Ahly in Port Said became one of the worst soccer disasters ever. Fans rushed the field and attacked rival supporters as security forces stood by. By the end of the night, 74 people were dead, and hundreds more were injured. It remained one of the darkest days in soccer history.
Brazil’s 1-7 Loss to Germany (2014)
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Brazil’s World Cup dreams came crashing down in the most brutal way possible when they faced Germany in the semifinals on home soil. They were expected to fight for a place in the final, but Germany scored five goals in the first half-hour. By the final whistle, it was 7-1, and the host nation had suffered its most humiliating defeat ever.
Sheffield Wednesday’s ‘Miracle of Hillsborough’ (2023)
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Sheffield Wednesday looked finished, down 4-0 after the first leg of their 2023 League One playoff semifinal against Peterborough United. However, Wednesday roared back in the return leg at Hillsborough and secured four goals to level the tie in stoppage time before winning on penalties. History was made—no team had ever overcome a four-goal first-leg deficit in the playoffs.