In the world of football, money usually talks. The richest clubs buy the best players, hire the top managers, and dominate the leagues. But every once in a while, the script gets torn apart. This is why we love the game: for the unpredictability, the drama, and the biggest football underdog stories that prove anything is possible.
For fans and bettors alike, these moments are unforgettable. They defy statistics, mock odds of 5000/1, and ruin millions of betting slips. But more importantly, they inspire us.
Here, we count down the top 10 fairytales in football history where David truly conquered Goliath.
1. Leicester City (Premier League Champions, 2015/16)
Use the word “miracle” carefully, but what Leicester City achieved in the 2015/16 season fits the definition perfectly. At the start of the campaign, bookmakers gave them odds of 5000/1 to win the league. To put that in perspective, you were more likely to find Elvis Presley alive than to see Leicester lift the trophy.
Managed by Claudio Ranieri and fueled by the goals of Jamie Vardy and the magic of Riyad Mahrez, the Foxes didn’t just survive; they dominated. They beat the financial giants of Manchester City, Chelsea, and Arsenal to win the Premier League by 10 clear points. It remains the undisputed king of the biggest football underdog stories.
Ver esta publicação no Instagram
2. Zambia (AFCON Winners, 2012)
This story is not just about football; it is about destiny. In 1993, a tragic plane crash killed almost the entire Zambian national team near Libreville, Gabon. It was a heartbreaking loss for African football.
Fast forward to 2012. The Africa Cup of Nations final was held in—you guessed it—Libreville, Gabon. The Zambian team, known as Chipolopolo (The Copper Bullets), faced the mighty Ivory Coast, a team packed with superstars like Didier Drogba and Yaya Touré.
Against all odds, Zambia held on to a 0-0 draw and won on penalties. They lifted the trophy in the same city where their fallen heroes had perished years before. It was an emotional, spiritual victory that remains one of the most beautiful moments in sports history.
3. Greece (Euro 2004 Winners)
Before 2004, Greece had never won a single match in a major tournament. Entering the European Championship in Portugal, they were complete outsiders.
Under German coach Otto Rehhagel, Greece played a disciplined, defensive style reminiscent of the classic Catenaccio (which we discussed in our article about the Evolution of Football Tactics). Critics called it “boring,” but it was tactically perfect. They defeated the hosts Portugal not once, but twice (in the opening game and the final), as well as knocking out defending champions France. It was a masterclass in tactical discipline overcoming superior talent.
4. Denmark (Euro 1992 Winners)
Denmark shouldn’t have even been at the tournament. They failed to qualify but were invited at the last minute because Yugoslavia was disqualified due to the outbreak of war.
The Danish players were reportedly on vacation when they got the call. With almost no preparation and missing their best player (Michael Laudrup), they went on to defeat heavyweights like the Netherlands and Germany to win the Euro 92 title. It is the ultimate “off the beach” victory among the biggest football underdog stories.
5. Nottingham Forest (European Cup, 1979 & 1980)
Imagine a team getting promoted from the second division, winning the league in their first season, and then winning the Champions League (then European Cup) twice in a row. It sounds impossible today, but Brian Clough’s Nottingham Forest did exactly that.
They went from a small provincial club to the kings of Europe in under three years. This achievement is arguably harder than Leicester’s because they sustained it over multiple seasons in Europe’s elite competition.
6. FC Kaiserslautern (Bundesliga, 1998)
Similar to Nottingham Forest, FC Kaiserslautern achieved the unthinkable in Germany. In 1996, they were relegated. In 1997, they were promoted back to the Bundesliga. In 1998, they won the title instantly.
Managed by Otto Rehhagel (the same genius behind the Greece miracle), they beat Bayern Munich to the shield. No team in Bundesliga history has ever won the title immediately after being promoted, making this a unique statistical anomaly in the biggest football underdog stories.
7. Uruguay (The “Maracanazo”, World Cup 1950)
This was not just a defeat; it was a national tragedy for Brazil. The 1950 World Cup final (technically a decisive group match) was held at the Maracanã stadium in Rio de Janeiro. Brazil only needed a draw to win the World Cup on home soil.
Nearly 200,000 confident fans packed the stadium. Newspapers had already printed “Brazil Champions” headlines. But Uruguay had other plans. They came from behind to win 2-1, silencing the colossal crowd. The silence at the final whistle is still spoken about in Brazil today as a ghostly memory.
8. Montpellier (Ligue 1 Champions, 2011/12)
Before PSG completely dominated French football with Qatari billions, there was Montpellier. In the 2011/12 season, Paris Saint-Germain had just been taken over by QSI and spent heavily on stars like Javier Pastore.
Montpellier, a club with a budget dwarfed by PSG, relied on the goals of Olivier Giroud and a rock-solid team spirit. They edged out the Parisians to win the title by three points. It was the last great resistance before the era of PSG dominance began.
9. North Korea (World Cup 1966)
In 1966, North Korea arrived in England as a total mystery. No one knew their players or their style. In the group stages, they faced Italy, one of the favorites to win the tournament.
In a shock that reverberated around the world, North Korea beat Italy 1-0 thanks to a goal by Pak Doo-Ik. The defeat was so humiliating for Italy that upon their return home, the players were pelted with rotten tomatoes by angry fans at the airport.
10. Saudi Arabia vs. Argentina (World Cup 2022)
A modern addition to our list of biggest football underdog stories. Argentina came into the 2022 World Cup on a 36-game unbeaten run, led by Lionel Messi. Saudi Arabia was seen as the weakest team in the group.
When Messi scored a penalty early on, it looked like a rout. But in a chaotic five-minute spell in the second half, Saudi Arabia scored twice. They defended for their lives to win 2-1. Although Argentina eventually recovered to win the World Cup, that opening match remains one of the greatest single-game shocks in history.
Why We Love Underdogs
Why do these stories resonate so deeply? Psychologically, humans are wired to root for the little guy. It gives us hope that effort, teamwork, and belief can overcome wealth and natural talent.
For bettors, these games are the “bracket busters,” the matches that defy logic. For fans, they are the memories that last a lifetime.
The landscape of football is changing. The gap between the rich and the poor is widening. But as long as the whistle blows and the ball rolls, there will always be room for a miracle.
Which of these underdog stories is your favorite? Did we miss any? Tell us in the comments below!
