The history of football at the Olympic Games is 124 years old. Over a century, thousands of goals, hundreds of matches, and many results have been etched into the history of the most popular sport in the universe. Although the prestige of this tournament is often questioned in the football world, the importance of a gold medal for any athlete is undeniable. That’s why, due to this almost amateur spirit, upsets have been a constant since 1908.
As the Olympic tournament in Paris 2024 approaches, ESPN.com reviews the most remarkable or incredible upsets in the history of Olympic football. A journey through the most astonishing results of this centennial championship that will see a new edition in the birthplace of this game, where, as usual, there will be some surprises.
1- Luxembourg 5-3 Great Britain (Helsinki 1952)
The British national team, which did not participate as such in the World Cups, considered the Olympics their most important commitment. Since the introduction of football, they had always been contenders and won the first two gold medals up for grabs. In 1952, they were not fielding big stars, but an easy debut against Luxembourg made them the almost certain opponent for Brazil in the round of 16. However, the team from the tiny European state had a major surprise in store. Despite Englishman George Robb scoring first in the 12th minute, Joseph Roller equalized in the second half, and in extra time, Luxembourg scored four more goals to achieve the most impressive feat in Olympic football history.
2- Nigeria 4-3 Brazil (Atlanta 1996)
Brazilian stars like Roberto Carlos, Bebeto, Ronaldo, and Rivaldo arrived at the 1996 Olympics with a clear obligation: to win the only title missing from Brazil’s trophy case. With the legendary Mario Zagallo as coach, Brazil was by far the top candidate to win gold. After overcoming some struggles in the group stage and defeating Ghana in the quarterfinals, they faced Nigeria in the semifinals, a match that seemed winnable. However, things did not go as expected for the South Americans. Although the first half ended with a 3-1 lead that suggested a comfortable qualification, the Africans shone in the final minutes and leveled the score at 3-3. Kanu then delivered the final blow to Brazil, as humble Nigeria defeated the world champions 4-3 and advanced to the final, which they would later win against Argentina.
3- Japan 3-2 Argentina (Tokyo 1964)
Argentina lost 3-2 to Japan after being ahead twice in the match thanks to goals from Juan Carlos Dominguez. The Japanese were superior in the second half and secured their best international victory up to that point.
4- Iran 1-0 Brazil (Montreal 1972)
Brazil suffered a humiliating 1-0 defeat to Iran in their final match, resulting in their elimination in the first round.
5- Costa Rica 1-0 Italy (Los Angeles 1984)
Costa Rica achieved one of the most resonant victories in their history by defeating Italy 1-0 in a surprising turn of events.
6- Cameroon 2-1 Brazil (Sydney 2000)
Brazil faced a frustrating 2-1 defeat against Cameroon, which marked the first step towards the Indomitable Lions’ gold medal.
7- Nigeria 3-2 Argentina (Atlanta 1996)
Nigeria’s last-minute goal in the final against Argentina haunted the South American team, as Emmanuel Amunike’s strike secured the gold medal for Nigeria.
8- France 1-17 Denmark (London 1908)
Denmark’s surprising 17-1 victory over France remains the most lopsided result in FIFA tournaments to date.
9- Zambia 4-0 Italy (Seoul 1988)
Zambia’s memorable 4-0 victory over Italy showcased the team’s talent and set a precedent for African football.
10- Mexico 2-1 Brazil (London 2012)
Mexico’s unexpected 2-1 victory over Brazil in the final of the 2012 Olympics denied the South American powerhouse the coveted gold medal.
The Olympic Games have witnessed numerous football upsets throughout their history. Whether due to the long tradition of the tournament or the tendency of major teams to field reserve squads, surprises have become a defining feature of Olympic football. In this sport, where underdogs can triumph over powerhouses, these upsets add an element of unpredictability and excitement to the game.