Football never fails to throw up unexpected surprises, twists and turns. Marvellous on-field performances matched by unquestionably talented individuals means you never know what to expect! The sport is full of inspirational stories and incredible feats that keep fans enthralled and at the edge of their seats! The unlikely underdog never fails to surprise and roll the boat.
Among the many astonishing and memorable feats, fans will surely remember that Diego Forlan inspired Uruguay to unprecedented heights at the 2010 World Cup when the team reached the semi-finals, a feat not achieved since the 1970s. Against all expectations and stronger opposition, Uruguay managed to put together a winning streak that was finally halted by The Netherlands in a fiercely competitive semi-final loss. Uruguay’s return to the top positions in the world standings was cemented in 2010.
Another monumental achievement that surprised many was APOEL FC march to success during in 2011. The team burst onto the scene and made a favourable impression with football fans everywhere. The club’s run of success at the Champions League that year saw them defeating more experienced sides like Porto and Lyon, who both succumbed to losses until the Cypriot team’s admirable charge into the quarter-finals was eventually halted by Real Madrid. A team from relative obscurity was propelled into the limelight to exceed all expectations.
Who can forget Zambia clinching the 2012 African Nations Cup against all the odds! The victory caused a sensation in the African country, bringing together a nation in unity to support the underdog team in the final against the more fancied Ivory Coast.
Yet another upset was when English football team Wigan defeating the more illustrious Manchester City to win a memorable FA Cup victory at Wembley in 2013, melting the hearts of even the most hardened football fan.
The Costa Rican national team managed to make a name during the 2014 World Cup and create an upset by defeating higher-ranked teams to surpass expectations. As the competition progressed, the team gained momentum squeezing its way into the last 16 and beating Greece, after easing through the group stage. The team finally succumbed to superior opposition against the powerful Netherlands in a tensely contested penalty shootout. Such an incredible achievement is hard to forget!
Leicester was a team rated 5000 to 1 to win the premiership after being prompted to the top league. The unlikely challenge came during the 2014/2015 English Premier League season when they claimed the title against every prediction. The team’s incredible fairy tail journey captivated the entire world and ended with a premiership trophy for Leicester proved that dreams really could come true!
Wales is a nation that has hardly achieved any international success. That is why they turned heads with their tournament debut at Euro 2016. Gareth Bale and the team progressed far until finally stopped by eventual tournament winners Portugal in the Semi-finals.
AS Monaco had just been promoted a short while before the 2016/2017 season, yet managed to snatch the coveted Liga 1 title. Going one step further, Monaco had a strong charge in the Champions League the same year, reaching the semi-finals. The team burst into the national and international stage in style, becoming a contender for top European honours.
The undoubted highlight of the last World Cup was the unexpected achievement of the Croatian national team. Defeating teams like England along their way to the quarter-finals. Initially considered as no-hopers, Croatia challenged and made it all the way to the World Cup final, before losing to France in a thrilling game. That proves that even the smallest nation can create an upset and surprise the world.
Tottenham Hotspur went far in the Champions League during the 2019 season overcoming obstacles and challenges by better-known teams. There were times when even the fans believed the team were heading home, they defied the odds and created an unexpected victory snatched from the jaws of defeat. Spurs rose to the occasion admirably by eventually reaching the final. Their loss to Liverpool in the final was heartbreaking; however, it cannot take the gloss from a superb inaugural tournament performance by Spurs.
You might wonder if any common threads link up these memorable feats and accomplishments. The teams superseded their limits, and against experts predictions, served up incredible surprises and enormous windfalls for the more savvy punter who backed the sides to do well.
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