Saturday, 5 Oct 2024

The Highest Scoring Soccer Games Ever

No one wants to see their favorite team suffer a heavy loss. But as a neutral fan, when you tune in to watch a soccer match, you’re always hoping for goals. The high-scoring thrillers are what keep us on the edge of our seats, whether it’s the World Cup, the Premier League, or the Bundesliga. We’re talking about those unforgettable matches with scores like 4-3, 5-5, or even 7-4.

However, there are times when things can get out of hand. Whether it’s a cup competition where a lower league team exceeds expectations or an international qualifier pitting a powerhouse against an underdog, there have been some crazy mismatches on soccer fields across the globe. And the result is scorelines that are nothing short of mind-boggling.

In this article, we’ll take you through some of the highest scoring soccer games ever played. We’ll cover matches from both the modern era and years gone by. By the end, you’ll have a definitive answer to the age-old question: What is the highest scoring soccer game of all time?

Soccer’s Scoring Spectacles

Soccer is generally known for lower scores compared to major US sports like basketball or American Football. While the Kansas City Chiefs beat the Philadelphia Eagles 38-35 to win Super Bowl LVII, it only took one goal for Spanish giants Real Madrid to secure victory in last year’s Champions League final against Liverpool. But that doesn’t mean soccer lacks excitement or goals. Let’s take a closer look at some of the highest scoring games in the history of the sport.

8) Preston North End 26-0 Hyde United (1887)

We’ll start with a relatively mild example, although it’s still an impressive victory. Back in 1887, Preston North End was a dominant force in English football. They were consistently one of the best teams in the country, and in the First Round of the FA Cup, they faced Hyde United, a lower league team. Preston North End, being the strong First Division side they were, made their superiority known, winning the match with an astonishing scoreline of 26-0. To this day, it remains the biggest victory in FA Cup history.

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7) Villareal 27-0 Navata (2009)

Moving ahead to the 21st century, we have a friendly match that still deserves attention because of its ridiculous result. La Liga side Villareal, who have recently demonstrated their prowess by winning the Europa League, squared off against Navata, a semi-professional team from Catalonia. Striker Jonathan Pereira stole the show with an incredible seven goals, while fellow forwards Joseba Llorente, Ruben Marcos, and former Arsenal man Robert Pires also had their share of the spotlight. The match resulted in a jaw-dropping 27-0 win for Villareal.

6) Australia 31-0 American Samoa (2001)

The story of American Samoa’s international football team has captured the hearts of many, as showcased in the documentary “Next Goal Wins.” This tiny Pacific island faced Australia in a match that would go down in history. American Samoa, with very limited resources and a limited pool of players, struggled against the Aussies. The game ended with a resounding 31-0 victory for Australia, setting a world record for the biggest victory in an international soccer match. Archie Thompson, an Australian player, made headlines by scoring an incredible 13 goals in that game, setting a personal record.

5) Vanuatu 46-0 Micronesia (2015)

Teams from the Pacific island region have often been involved in high-scoring international games due to their limited resources. In the 2015 Pacific Games tournament, the Federated States of Micronesia faced Vanuatu and suffered a devastating defeat. The Micronesian team, made up of Under-23 players, conceded a remarkable 46 goals in a single match. This result highlighted the challenges faced by teams with limited funds and player pools in the Pacific islands.

4) Arbroath 36-0 Bon Accord (1885)

Scottish Championship side Arbroath FC made headlines recently for their impressive performances and near-promotion to the Scottish Premier League. But they also made history in a different way back in 1885. Playing against newly-formed Scottish side Bon Accord in the first round of the Scottish Cup, Arbroath recorded a remarkable 36-0 victory. This match remains the largest margin of victory in a genuinely competitive game and solidified Arbroath’s reputation as a formidable force on their home ground, Gayfield.

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3) Police Machine FC 67-0 Bubayaro FC

On July 7, 2013, Nigerian football witnessed an extraordinary day of action in the lower leagues. As teams fought for a place in the Nationwide League Division, the lowest tier of the professional league, Police Machine FC faced Bubayaro FC in a match that quickly turned into a one-sided affair. After taking a commanding 6-0 lead in the first half, Police Machine watched as Bubayaro completely collapsed, scoring a succession of own goals. The game concluded with an unprecedented 67-0 victory for Police Machine. The result led to accusations of match fixing, causing the Nigerian Football Federation Organizing Committee to label it an “unacceptable” scandal of massive proportions.

2) Plateau United Founders 79-0 Akurba

On the same day as the remarkable Police Machine vs. Bubayaro match, another astonishing game unfolded in the Nigerian lower leagues. Akurba faced Plateau United Founders in a match that mirrored the earlier fixture, with one team conceding an extraordinary number of goals. Akurba endured a harrowing second half, allowing a mind-boggling 72 goals, many of which were own goals. The match came under suspicion of match fixing, and after an investigation, all four clubs involved received severe penalties, including ten-year bans and lifetime bans for players and officials.

1) AS Adema 149-0 Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne

As incredible as those Nigerian league matches were, the Madagascan top flight holds the record for the most astonishing result in soccer history. On October 31, 2002, AS Adema faced Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne in a match that took place against a backdrop of controversy. AS Adema had already secured the league title with a draw against Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne in the previous match. Frustrated with what they perceived as a questionable refereeing decision that cost them the win, Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne embarked on a bizarre protest. From the moment the referee blew the whistle, they intentionally scored own goals. The relentless barrage of own goals resulted in a staggering 149-0 victory for AS Adema. The repercussions were severe, with the coach and four players losing their jobs and receiving three-year bans. However, because the referee allowed the game to continue, the result stands, making it the highest-scoring soccer game in history.

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Conclusion: What Is The Highest Scoring Soccer Game of All Time?

And there you have it, the highest scoring soccer game of all time, as recognized by the Guinness Book of Records: AS Adema’s unforgettable 149-0 victory over Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne. If you’ve enjoyed reading about these mind-blowing soccer scores, our blog has even more articles that delve into the quirks, eccentricities, and cultural phenomena that surround the beautiful game. For soccer-related TV recommendations, check out our guide to the best soccer documentaries or dive into the world of iconic Apple TV+ character Ted Lasso and his greatest quotes. And if you want a more informative guide to the rules and structures of the sport, we’ve got you covered with our article on relegation and its role in soccer.

Remember, soccer may be known for its low-scoring affairs, but every now and then, the game surprises us with extraordinary goal-fests that leave a lasting impression. So keep watching, keep supporting your favorite teams, and who knows, maybe you’ll witness a historic high-scoring match in the future.

FAQs

Q: What is the highest scoring soccer game ever?

A: The highest scoring soccer game ever is AS Adema’s record-breaking 149-0 victory over Stade Olympique de l’Emyrne.

Q: What is the biggest victory in an international soccer match?

A: The biggest victory in an international soccer match was Australia’s 31-0 win over American Samoa.

Q: Which team has the largest margin of victory in a competitive game?

A: Arbroath FC holds the record for the largest margin of victory in a competitive soccer game with their impressive 36-0 win over Bon Accord in the Scottish Cup.

Q: What is the highest-scoring friendly match in soccer history?

A: Villareal’s incredible 27-0 triumph over Navata is the highest-scoring friendly match ever recorded.

Q: Are there any other notable high-scoring matches in soccer history?

A: Yes, there have been several notable high-scoring matches, such as Vanuatu’s 46-0 victory over Micronesia and Preston North End’s 26-0 win against Hyde United. These matches have left a lasting mark in the history of the sport.