The FIFA World Cup brings together the best of the best.
But sometimes big-time blowouts can occur.
European side Hungary owns the record for the biggest defeat inflicted on an opponent, while Spain’s 7-0 group-stage rout of Costa Rica in 2022 is the most recent example.
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Here’s what to know about the biggest defeats in the tournament’s history since 1930, which may see more lopsided scores in 2026:
What is the biggest defeat in World Cup history?
Two nations are on the right side of history having won games by a goal differential of plus-nine, with one country achieving the feat twice.
Here’s a look at those scorelines in order by the year it happened:
- Hungary 9, South Korea 0: 1954
- Yugoslavia 9, Zaire 0: 1974
- Hungary 10, El Salvador 1: 1982
What’s the most goals scored in a World Cup game?
The most goals scored in a World Cup game by one team is Hungary’s 10 against El Salvador in 1982.
When combining two teams, Austria and Switzerland scored 12 in a 1954 fixture with the former winning 7-5.
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What’s the most goals scored in a World Cup Final?
Brazil holds the record for most goals scored in a World Cup Final with its 5-2 win over Sweden in 1958.
What’s the most goals scored by a team in one World Cup?
Hungary has scored the most goals by a nation in one World Cup with 27 tallies in 1954. Here’s a game-by-game look at Hungary’s memorable scorelines, though the incredible run ended in heartbreak:
- Group Stage Game 1: Hungary 9, South Korea 0
- Group Stage Game 2: Hungary 8, West Germany 3
- Quarterfinals: Hungary 4, Brazil 2
- Semifinals: Hungary 4, Uruguay 2
- Final: West Germany 3, Hungary 2
Which player has scored the most goals in a World Cup game?
Forward Oleg Salenko scored five goals in Russia’s 6-1 win over Cameroon in its final group stage contest at the 1994 World Cup.
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Editor’s note: A version of this story was first published in 2022.