10 Most Shocking Underdog Victories In Football History

3. USA 1-0 England

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-vqQWrrzNWU 29/6/1950World Cup Group Match, Estádio Independencia A game so unbelievable, so Hollywood that there is genuinely a movie about it. Before 1950, British teams refused to take part in the World Cup. They were the best teams in the world already, they reasoned, why on earth would they need to travel to Uruguay in 1930, Italy in 1934 or France in 1938 to prove it when the British Home Championship would already prove who was the best in the world? After World War 2, the British federations rejoined FIFA and decided to use to Home Championship as a qualification for the 1950 World Cup, deciding to prove their superiority over the world. As Home Championship champions, the English had proven themselves as Britain's best team and organised the best of the Football League into a team ready to take on the world. Before the tournament England had beaten reigning world champions Italy and Tom Finney, Stanley Matthews, Stan Mortensen and future England manager Alf Ramsey were amongst those selected to go to Brazil to win the World Cup for the English. Goals by Mortensen and Mannion eased England past Chile in the first game of the group stage, putting the English side in a comfortable position before their second game of the tournament, against the United States of America. The United States side were everything the England side was not. Even the greatest players in the American side were semi-pro at best, captain Walter Bahr taught at a local high school whilst playing for the Philadelphia Nationals in 1950. In the opening game of the World Cup, the Americans lost 3-1 to Spain, letting in three goals in the last ten minutes. The semi professional Americans were not given a chance against a side regarded by many as the best in the world. During the game, England dominated play. The patient, passing play of the English gave them the edge in the opening proceedings. In the 38th minute however, Joe Gaetjens, a Haiti born dishwasher got a touch onto a Bahr shot, brushing it into the net. The goal shocked the English, and despite constant pressure they could not get past the American defence, giving the Americans an incredible 1-0 victory. Sixteen years later, England would win their to date only World Cup. The United States did not qualify for another World Cup until 1990.