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The biggest World Cup shock defeats including Saudi Arabia beating Argentina

Saleh Al Shehri celebrates scoring for Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia produced one of the greatest World Cup shocks ever as they beat Argentina 2-1 in the group stages. Planet Sport looks at 10 previous big upsets in the tournament’s history.

The majority of the time the international giants rock up to the World Cup every four years and roll over the smaller opponents, and the football world carries on as normal. Nobody really remembers Portugal 7 North Korea 0 in 2010 or Germany 8 Saudi Arabia 0 in 2002, they were expected to happen.

But sometimes the football Gods chuck a result that catches everyone unawares, so our list will have fans of the World Cup upset rubbing their hands with glee.

United States 1 England 0 (Brazil, 1950)

The most humiliating defeat in England's history.

The tournament favourites dominated to start with but in the 37th minute the United States stunned them by taking the lead through Larry Gaetjens. Walter Winterbottom's side could not hit back and suffered a hugely embarrassing loss.

North Korea 1 Italy 0 (England, 1966)

Arguably the most surprising World Cup scoreline ever.

Italy were expected to thump the Asian minnows but, against all the odds, the North Koreans' defence held firm against the might of the Europeans. Pak Doo Ik was on hand to score a scarcely believable winner.

Scotland 3 Netherlands 2 (Argentina, 1978)

The Netherlands' celebrated 'Total Football' side were in their prime, brimming with confidence and fully expected to dish out a real lesson to the Scots.

However, Archie Gemmill had other ideas and fired a superb brace and, with Kenny Dalglish also popping up to score, the Dutch were defeated.

Northern Ireland 1 Spain 0 (Spain, 1982)

Gerry Armstrong's 47th minute winner helped Northern Ireland surprisingly top their group ahead of hosts Spain, despite only managing draws in their previous two matches against Yugoslavia and Honduras.
Normal service was resumed in the second round with Northern Ireland drawing with Austria and then getting thumped 4-1 by France.

Cameroon 1 Argentina 0 (Italy, 1990)

Cameroon, reduced to nine men after a double sending-off, produced another strong candidate for the biggest-ever World Cup shock against the reigning champions.

In only their second appearance in the finals, they stunned the South Americans and stole the hearts of supporters when Omam Biyik headed home the winner.

Republic of Ireland 1 Italy 0 (United States, 1994)

Even Ireland's travelling army could surely not have believed their side would defeat the mighty Italy.

But Jack Charlton's men did exactly that, thanks to Ray Houghton's 25-yard strike. The Irish defence kept the Italian strike force at bay as Charlton's men sent their supporters into ecstasy.

France 0 Senegal 1 (Japan and South Korea, 2002)

The world and European champions were left shellshocked in their opening game of the tournament through a goal from El Hadji Diouf.

Les Bleus went close and hit the woodwork twice, but the African nation held on for victory.

United States 3 Portugal 2 (Japan and South Korea, 2002)

The United States surged into an incredible 3-0 lead after only half an hour through John O'Brien, an own goal from Jorge Costa, and Brian McBride.

Beto scored just before the interval to give the fancied Europeans hope and Jeff Agoos' second-half own goal set American nerves jangling - but they held on for a famous triumph.

Italy 1 South Korea 2 (Japan and South Korea, 2002)

Ahn Jung-hwan, who missed a first-half penalty, was the South Korean hero with the dramatic winner three minutes from the end of extra time in this second-round match.

In an extraordinary encounter, Seol Ki-hyeon scored in the 88th minute to cancel out Christian Vieri's opener. Italy striker Francesco Totti was also dismissed in extra time.

Spain 0 Switzerland 1 (South Africa, 2010)

Switzerland upset European champions - and eventual tournament winners - Spain with a narrow win in the teams' Group H opener in Durban.

Gelson Fernandes got the only goal in the 52nd minute, before Spain's Xabi Alonso was denied by the crossbar in the 71st minute. Spain wasted a hatful of other chances and the Swiss held on.

Spain 0 Chile 2 (Brazil, 2014)

Holders Spain saw their reign as world champions come to an ignominious end at the group stage with defeat at the hands of Chile at the Maracana Stadium.

First-half goals from Eduardo Vargas and Charles Aranguiz did the damage as Spain, already thrashed 5-1 by the Dutch in their opener, slumped out.

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