Using its proprietary ranking system and a complex formula that factors in team strength, location, and history, Gracenote said that 51st-ranked Saudi’s chance of beating an Argentine side unbeaten in 36 internationals was 8.7 per cent.
Doha, Qatar: A Data company says that 51st-ranked Saudi’s chance of beating an Argentine side unbeaten in 36 internationals was only 8.7 per cent, a report in the Khaleej Times says
Using its proprietary ranking system and a complex formula that factors in team strength, location, and history, Gracenote said that 51st-ranked Saudi’s chance of beating an Argentine side unbeaten in 36 internationals was 8.7 per cent.
Here are Gracenote’s top 10 World Cup upsets:
1. Saudi Arabia 2 Argentina 1 (8.7% chance) 2022
Ranked 51st in the world, Saudi Arabia were facing a team hoping to match the international record for unbeaten games – 37. Things appeared to be going to form when Lionel Messi put Argentina ahead with a 10th-minute penalty but goals by Saleh Al-Shehri and Salem Al-Dawsari early in the second half secured the stunning upset.
2. United States 1-0 England (9.5% chance) 1950
Appearing for the first time the Americans were a semi-professional squad, while England were favourites to win the 1950 World Cup in Brazil. England, dominated but lost to Joey Gaetjens’ first-half header. It would be another 44 years before the U.S. would win another match at the World Cup.
3. Switzerland 1-0 Spain (10.3%) 2010
Spain arrived in South Africa as European champions and World Cup favourites lost to a second half Gelson Fernandes goal. Spain recovered from the setback well enough to go on and win the final three weeks later.
4. Algeria 2-1 West Germany (13.2%) 1982
Algeria’s first ever World Cup match delivered their finest hour as Lakhdar Belloumi made the first goal and scored the winner against European powerhouse West Germany.
5. Ghana 2-0 Czech Republic (13.9%) 2006
A Czech team who had reached the 2004 European Championship final were expected to go deep in the World Cup and opened with a 3-0 demolition of the United States, while Ghana, making their World Cup debut, had already lost to Italy.
However, Asamoah Gyan put Ghana ahead after 70 seconds and Sulley Muntari got a late second to settle a fantastic match. Ghana went on to lose to Brazil in the second round, while the Czechs failed to qualify.
6. Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (14.2%) 1950
The only World Cup not to feature a final, effectively got one via this last group match, where Brazil needed only a draw on home soil to take the title.
In front of almost 200,000 fans, Brazil were leading midway through the second half but Uruguay scored twice in 13 minutes through Pepe Schiaffino and Alcides Ghiggia to secure the trophy for the second time in a game that remains famous in both nations’ history.
7. South Korea 2-0 Germany (14.4%) 2018
Defending champions Germany had already lost to Mexico but it was still a massive shock to see them beaten by South Korea, who needed a two-goal victory to have any chance of progressing.They got both goals in stoppage time through Kim Young-gwon and Son Heung-min
8. Wales 2-1 Hungary (16.2%) 1958
On the downslope from their “Magnificent Magyars” peak of 1954, Hungary were still regarded as one of the best teams in the world but after a group draw with Wales they had to negotiate this playoff against the same side. Fully expecting to put things right in the second meeting, Hungary were shocked again as Ivor Allchurch and Terry Medwin secured the comeback win in the second half.
9. Northern Ireland 1-0 Spain (16.5%) 1982
Host nation Spain needed a draw to finish top of the group and progress to the easier second phase group but, despite dominating the match, Gerry Armstrong scored the most famous goal in his tiny country’s history.
10. Senegal 1-0 France (17.3%) 2002
France were world and European champions while Senegal were making their tournament debut in a match given extra spice by the fact that 21 of Senegal’s 23-man squad played for French clubs. In another memorable opening game, Papa Bouba Diop got the only goal as Senegal started a march all the way to the quarter-finals while France finished bottom of their group.
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