World Cup’s greatest shocks – where does Argentina’s loss to Saudi Arabia at Qatar 2022 rank?

Published

3 years ago

November 23, 2022

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Argentina have become the latest side to suffer a shock World Cup defeat – but how does it compare to some of the previous jaw-dropping losses?

Football fans watched in amazement as Lionel Messi’s side – one of the favourites to win this year’s tournament – were beaten 2-1 by Saudi Arabia on Tuesday morning.

It looked like it would be plain sailing for the South Americans when Messi scored a penalty to put his side 1-0 up.

But Saudi Arabia, who are 51st in the FIFA world rankings, fought back with goals from Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari to record a historic win.

Such is the extent of the excitement around today’s victory, that the country’s ruler King Salman has declared a national holiday across Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Here Sky News looks at some of the other big shocks in the history of football’s most prestigious tournament.

Argentina 0 Cameroon 1
Italy 1990

It is not the first time that Argentina have suffered a shock defeat at a World Cup.

Back at Italia 90, they were beaten 1-0 by Cameroon, in what is regarded to be one of the biggest World Cup upsets.

Managed by Russian coach Valery Nepomnyashchy and led by 38-year-old striker Roger Milla, Cameroon faced a tough group with Argentina, Romania and the Soviet Union.

But they started in superb style, beating an Argentina side featuring Diego Maradona thanks to a second-half header from Francois Omam-Biyik.

Despite having two players sent off in the second half, Cameroon managed to hold on to secure a historic win.

They went on to beat Romania, before losing 4-0 to the Soviet Union to top the group.

They then beat Colombia in the second round, before losing in extra-time to England in the quarter-finals.

West Germany 1 Algeria 2
Spain 1982

Having won the European Championships in 1980, West Germany were one of the favourites going into the 1982 World Cup in Spain.

They were expected to win their opening game comfortably against Algeria, who had made the World Cup finals for the first time.

West German coach Jupp Derwall tempted fate by saying that if his side didn’t beat Algeria “I’ll be on the next train home”.

He also said his players “would laugh their heads off if I showed them film of the Algerian team”.

Despite boasting a team packed with stars, West Germany were stunned 2-1 by the Algerians.

West Germany managed to bounce back quickly and battled through to the final, where they were beaten by tournament winners Italy.

North Korea 1 Italy 0
England 1966

While for England fans 1966 will evoke memories of World Cup victory, it is quite a different story for Italy.

That is because they were at the wrong end of one of the biggest World Cup upsets in history, losing 1-0 to North Korea at Ayresome Park in Middlesbrough.

The warning signs should have been there for Italy, with North Korea beating Australia 9-2 on aggregate across a two-leg playoff to make it to the World Cup finals.

Italy, meanwhile, were a team struggling for form, having been eliminated early in 1954, failing to qualify in 1958 and again being knocked out early in 1962.

After beating Chile 2-0, and then losing to the Soviet Union 1-0, they struggled early against North Korea, who scored the only goal of the game late in the second-half through Pak Doo-ik.

South Korea 2 Italy 1
Korea/Japan 2002

Italy were also on the end of another World Cup shock in 2002, when they faced co-hosts South Korea.

Featuring superstars including goalkeeper Gianluigi Buffon, legendary defender Paolo Maldini and a front line with Alessandro Del Piero and Francesco Totti, many had Italy as one of the favourites for the tournament.

But they were beaten 2-1 by South Korea during a thrilling round of 16 tie.

Christian Vieri gave Italy an early lead with a powerful header on 18 minutes.

But South Korea managed a late equaliser through Seol Ki Hyeon to push the game into extra-time.

With the game looking destined for penalties, Jung-Hwan Ahn scored a tap-in in the 117th minute to dump Italy out and send South Korea through.

France 0 Senegal 1
Korea/Japan 2002

The South Korea-Japan World Cup threw up a shock early on in the tournament when Senegal stunned defending champions France 1-0.

France featured a stellar squad, with the likes of Zinedine Zidane and Thierry Henry.

But an injury to Zidane early on appeared to disrupt France’s rhythm, while the then little-known but talented El Hadji Diouf took a starring role.

The forward, who would later move to Liverpool after impressing in the tournament, harassed the French defence throughout and forced a mistake which was capitalised on by the game’s only goalscorer, Papa Bouba Diop.

The tournament only got worse for France, who were dumped out at the group stage, while Senegal battled through to the quarter-final before suffering an extra-time defeat to Turkey.

England 0 USA 1
Brazil 1950

Later turned into a film named ‘The Miracle Match’ due to the size of the upset, England’s defeat to the USA is regarded as one of the most shocking in World Cup history.

England, making their debut in the tournament, were heavy favourites against a US team consisting mostly of part-time players, among them a high school teacher and a dishwasher.

The Three Lions were known as the ‘Kings of Football’ at the time, with an impressive post-war record of 23 wins, four losses and three draws, including a 10-0 win against Portugal.

England’s star player Stanley Matthews was rested for the game, which US coach was so pessimistic about that he declared prior to the game: ‘We have no chance’.

But Haitian-born Joe Gaetjens scored the only goal in what would be a heroic 1-0 victory for the US.

The team was later profiled in a book named The Game of their Lives, which was later into a film of the same name – later named The Miracle Match.

Spain 0 Northern Ireland 1
Spain 1982

Northern Ireland were out to prove a point in 1982 when they qualified for the first World Cup in 14 years.

But their job was made all the more difficult when they were drawn with the hosts, Spain, as well as Yugoslavia and Honduras.

After draws with the latter sides, Northern Ireland faced down a talented Spain side.

An early second half goal from Watford striker Gerry Armstrong gave Northern Ireland a much-needed lead.

But they had to dig after Mal Danoghy saw red on 60 minutes, battling with a man down for the final 30 minutes to secure their historic win.

Both sides qualified for the second knock-out round, where they were dumped out after finishing bottom of their respective groups.

World

Lifting sanctions on Putin for Trump meeting is a massive victory for Moscow

Published

6 hours ago

August 9, 2025

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Lifting sanctions on Putin for Trump meeting is a massive victory for Moscow

The location of Alaska is unexpected.

Although close to Russia geographically – less than three miles away at the narrowest point – it’s a very long way from neutral ground.

The expectation was they would meet somewhere in the middle. Saudi Arabia perhaps, or the United Arab Emirates. But no, Vladimir Putin will be travelling to Donald Trump’s backyard.

Follow latest: Zelenskyy says Ukraine will not give up land

It’ll be the first time the Russian president has visited the US since September 2015, when he spoke at the UN General Assembly. Barack Obama was in the White House. How times have changed a decade on.

The US is not a member of the International Criminal Court, so there’s no threat of arrest for Vladimir Putin.

But to allow his visit to happen, the US Treasury Department will presumably have to lift sanctions on the Kremlin leader, as it did when his investment envoy Kirill Dmitriev flew to Washington in April.

And I think that points to one reason why Putin would agree to a summit in Alaska.

Instead of imposing sanctions on Russia, as Trump had threatened in recent days, the US would be removing one. Even if only temporary, it would be hugely symbolic and a massive victory for Moscow.

The American leader might think he owns the optics – the peace-making president ordering a belligerent aggressor to travel to his home turf – but the visuals more than work for Putin too.

Shunned by the West since his invasion, this would signal an emphatic end to his international isolation.

Donald Trump has said a ceasefire deal is close. The details are still unclear but there are reports it could involve Ukraine surrendering territory, something Volodymyr Zelenskyy has always adamantly opposed.

Either way, Putin will have what he wants – the chance to carve up his neighbour without Kyiv being at the table.

And that’s another reason why Putin would agree to a summit, regardless of location. Because it represents a real possibility of achieving his goals.

It’s not just about territory for Russia. It also wants permanent neutrality for Ukraine and limits to its armed forces – part of a geopolitical strategy to prevent NATO expansion.

In recent months, despite building US pressure, Moscow has shown no intention of stopping the war until those demands are met.

It may be that Vladimir Putin thinks a summit with Donald Trump offers the best chance of securing them.

World

It’s been four years since a US president met Putin – and Trump will have a lot of ice to break

Published

9 hours ago

August 9, 2025

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It's been four years since a US president met Putin - and Trump will have a lot of ice to break

Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin will meet where their countries brush shoulders.

But why Alaska and why now?

A US-Russia summit in Alaska is geography as metaphor and message.

Alaska physically bridges both countries across the polar expanse.

Follow latest: Ukraine war live updates

Choosing this location signals strategic parity – the US and Russian leaders face to face in a place where their interests literally meet.

Alaska has surged in geopolitical importance due to its untapped fossil fuels.

Trump has aggressively pushed for more control in the Arctic, plans for Greenland and oil access.

Holding talks there centres the conversation where global energy and territorial stakes are high, and the US president thrives on spectacle.

A dramatic summit in the rugged frontier of Alaska plays into his flair for the theatrical.

It is brand Trump – a stage that frames him as bold, unorthodox and in command.

It was 2021 when a US president last came face-to-face with a Russian president.

The leaders of the two countries haven’t met since Russia invaded Ukraine.

But Trump is in touch with all sides – Russia, Ukraine and European leaders – and says they all, including Putin, want “to see peace”.

He’s even talking up the potential shape of any deal and how it might involve the “swapping of territory”.

Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly insisted he will not concede territory annexed by Russia.

Moscow has sent the White House a list of demands in return for a ceasefire.

Trump is attempting to secure buy-in from Zelenskyy and other European leaders.

He styles himself as “peacemaker-in-chief” and claims credit for ending six wars since he returned to office 200 days ago.

There’s much ice to break if he’s to secure a coveted seventh one in Alaska.

World

UK joins four countries in condemning Israel’s plan for new operation in Gaza

Published

9 hours ago

August 9, 2025

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UK joins four countries in condemning Israel's plan for new operation in Gaza

The UK and four allies have criticised Israel’s decision to launch a new large-scale military operation in Gaza – warning it will “aggravate the catastrophic humanitarian situation” in the territory.

The foreign ministers of Britain, Australia, Germany, Italy and New Zealand said in a joint statement that the offensive will “endanger the lives of hostages” and “risk violating international humanitarian law”.

It comes a day after Israel’s security cabinet approved an operation to take military control of Gaza City – and concluded a full takeover of the enclave is required to end the conflict.

It marks another escalation in the war in Gaza, sparked by the Hamas attack of 7 October 2023.

In their joint statement, the UK and its allies said they “strongly reject” the decision, adding: “It will endanger the lives of the hostages and further risk the mass displacement of civilians.

“The plans that the government of Israel has announced risk violating international humanitarian law. Any attempts at annexation or of settlement extension violate international law.”

The countries also called for a permanent ceasefire as “the worst-case scenario of famine is unfolding in Gaza”.

It comes as Sky News analysis has found that airdrops of aid are making little difference to Gaza’s hunger crisis, and pose serious risks to the population – with a father-of-two killed by a falling package.

Meanwhile, France, Canada, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates and the United Nations all criticised Israel’s plan for a full occupation of Gaza.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “expressed his disappointment” with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz’s in phone call on Friday after Berlin decided it would stop selling arms to Israel.

In a post on X, the Israeli prime minister’s office added: “Instead of supporting Israel’s just war against Hamas, which carried out the most horrific attack against the Jewish people since the Holocaust, Germany is rewarding Hamas terrorism by embargoing arms to Israel.”

US ambassador hits out at Starmer

Earlier on Friday, the US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, criticised Sir Keir Starmer after he said Israel’s decision to “escalate its offensive” in Gaza is “wrong”.

Mr Huckabee wrote on X: “So Israel is expected to surrender to Hamas & feed them even though Israeli hostages are being starved? Did UK surrender to Nazis and drop food to them? Ever heard of Dresden, PM Starmer? That wasn’t food you dropped. If you had been PM then UK would be speaking German!”

In another post around an hour later Mr Huckabee wrote: “How much food has Starmer and the UK sent to Gaza?

“@IsraeliPM has already sent 2 MILLION TONS into Gaza & none of it even getting to hostages.”

Sir Keir has pledged to recognise a Palestinian state in September unless the Israeli government meets a series of conditions towards ending the war in Gaza.

The UK and its allies criticised Israel as US President JD Vance and UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy met at Chevening House in Kent on Friday.

Mr Vance described a “disagreement” about how the US and UK could achieve their “common objectives” in the Middle East, and said the Trump administration had “no plans to recognise a Palestinian state”.

He said: “I don’t know what it would mean to really recognise a Palestinian state given the lack of functional government there.”

Mr Vance added: “There’s a lot of common objectives here. There is some, I think, disagreement about how exactly to accomplish those common objectives, but look, it’s a tough situation.”

The UN Security Council will meet on Saturday to discuss the situation in the Middle East.

Ambassador Riyad Mansour, permanent observer of the State of Palestine to the United Nations, said earlier on Friday that a number of countries would be requesting a meeting of the UN Security Council on Israel’s plans.