Canal Hammering: Biggest Mismatches in World Cup History

[Satchmo Distel]

England v Panama is 5-0 at half-time. How many such mismatches can you recall watching live?

Hungary v El Salvador was not live in the UK but perhaps you saw it live elsewhere? Similarly West Germany versus Hair Bear Bunch tribute band in 1978

[elguapo4]

Germany v Saudi Arabia 2002, even Carsten Jancker looked like a player

[Diable Rouge]

Let's not forget Oleg Salenko sharing the Golden Boot almost exclusively due to Russia vs Cameroon.

[hobbes]

If it was a cage fight I reckon Panama would win

[SouthdownRebel]

Brazil 1 Germany 7. Not a mismatch in terms of individual skill, but teamwork and temperament were no contest.

[Satchmo Distel]

Yes, and Brazil went 5-0 up quicker than any game I can recall before easing off. Could have had 12+

[N est à?]

That is not how i remember that game satchmo

[Satchmo Distel]

OK, maybe Brazil found more shape at 5-0.

[Southport Zeb]

Portugal 7-0 North Korea in 2010. I remember listening to this on the radio upstairs. In the time it took me to come down the stairs and switch the TV on Portugal had managed to score twice.

[Satchmo Distel]

It's a reminder of how spoiled we are by games not being played simultaneously that most hammerings took place when ITV or BBC were showing another game. Yugoslavia v Zaire 1974, USSR v Hungary 1986, Hungary v El Salvador 1982, West Germany v Mexico 1978, Holland v Austria 1978.

[Rogin the Armchair fan]

I remember New Zealand looking completely out of their depth in 1982. Although to their credit no-one really tore them apart - Scotland put 5 past them, and the Soviets 3. Everyone expected Brazil to absolutely destroy them but I think they must have treated it at a stroll because I think that only finished 2 or 3 nil.

[Satchmo Distel]

Yes you had them trying to set up Zico for overhead kicks and to get some goals for Serginho.

Worst ever goal difference across three group games in my lifetime is either Zaire, El Salvador or Saudis.