The Sun has listed the 10 matches with the largest score differences in the history of the 21 previous World Cups. Let’s take a look at the results of these encounters.
The Matches with the Biggest Score Differences in World Cup History
- 1. Hungary 10-1 El Salvador – World Cup 1982
- 2. Hungary 9-0 South Korea – World Cup 1954
- 3. Yugoslavia 9-0 Zaire – World Cup 1974
- 4. Sweden 8-0 Cuba – World Cup 1938
- 5. Uruguay 8-0 Bolivia – World Cup 1950
- 6. Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia – World Cup 2002
- 7. Uruguay 7-0 Scotland – World Cup 1954
- 8. Turkey 7-0 South Korea – World Cup 1954
- 9. Poland 7-0 Haiti – World Cup 1974
- 10. Portugal 7-0 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – World Cup 2010
1. Hungary 10-1 El Salvador – World Cup 1982
In the group stage of the 1982 World Cup, Hungary showcased their dominance by easily defeating El Salvador with a score of 10-1. Laszlo Kiss scored a hat-trick after coming on as a substitute. Laszlo Fazekas and Tibor Nyilasi each contributed two goals.
The remaining three goals for Hungary came from Gabor Poloskei, Jozsef Toth, and Lazar Szentes. The lone goal for El Salvador was scored by Ramirez Zapata.
2. Hungary 9-0 South Korea – World Cup 1954
In the opening match of the group stage of the 1954 World Cup, Hungary dominated and “crushed” South Korea with a score of 9-0, thanks to a hat-trick from Sandor Kocsis, a brace from Ferenc Puskas, and contributions from Peter Palotas, Mihaly Lantos, and Zoltan Czibor.
3. Yugoslavia 9-0 Zaire – World Cup 1974
In the encounter against Yugoslavia during the second round of the group stage in the 1974 World Cup, Zaire suffered a defeat of 0-9. Dusan Bajevic shone with a hat-trick, while the remaining goals were scored by Dragan Dzajic, Ivica Surjak, Josip Katalinski, Vladislav Bogicevic, Branko Oblak, and Ilija Petkovic.
4. Sweden 8-0 Cuba – World Cup 1938
In the quarterfinal match against Cuba in the 1938 World Cup, Sweden “destroyed” their opponent with an 8-goal margin. Both Harry Andersson and Gustav Wetterstrom scored hat-tricks, while Tore Keller and Arne Nyberg also found the net.
5. Uruguay 8-0 Bolivia – World Cup 1950
Due to France’s withdrawal from the tournament in Brazil, Uruguay only played one match in the group stage of the 1950 World Cup. They defeated Bolivia with a score of 8-0. Oscar Miguez scored a hat-trick, while Juan Alberto Schiaffino netted two goals. Ernesto Vidal, Julio Perez, and Alcides Ghiggia each contributed one goal.
6. Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia – World Cup 2002
In the opening match of Group E of the 2002 World Cup held in Japan and South Korea, the German national team easily defeated Saudi Arabia with an 8-goal margin. Striker Miroslav Klose shone with a hat-trick, while the other five goals were scored by Michael Ballack, Carsten Jancker, Thomas Linke, Oliver Bierhoff, and Bernd Schneider.
7. Uruguay 7-0 Scotland – World Cup 1954
Scotland’s first World Cup did not go smoothly as they lost both matches. Notably, they suffered a heavy defeat of 0-7 against Uruguay. Carlos Borges starred with a hat-trick, while Oscar Miguez and Julio Abbadie each scored two goals to secure three points for the South American representatives.
8. Turkey 7-0 South Korea – World Cup 1954
The 1954 World Cup in Switzerland witnessed many matches ending with significant scorelines. The encounter between Turkey and South Korea in the group stage was one of those matches.
After suffering a 0-9 defeat to Hungary in their opening match, South Korea faced another loss, this time 0-7 against Turkey. Burhan Sargun scored a hat-trick, and Suat Mamat added two goals. The other two goals for the European representatives came from Erol Keskin and Lefter Kucukandonyadis.
9. Poland 7-0 Haiti – World Cup 1974
In the second match of the group stage of the 1974 World Cup, Poland achieved a resounding victory of 7-0 against Haiti, thanks to a hat-trick from Andrzej Szarmach, a brace from Grzegorz Lato, and two goals from Kazimierz Deyna and Jerzy Gorgon.
10. Portugal 7-0 Democratic People’s Republic of Korea – World Cup 2010
After being held to a 0-0 draw by Ivory Coast in their opening match of Group G in the 2010 World Cup, Portugal overcame the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea in their second match with a score of 7-0. Tiago Mendes scored two goals, while Raul Meireles, Simao Sabrosa, Hugo Almeida, Liedson, and Cristiano Ronaldo also found the net.
