It’s official – Saudi Arabia’s thrilling 2-1 victory over Argentina is the biggest shock in the history of the World Cup according to Nielsen Gracenote.
The data company has developed a ranking system and algorithm that calculates team strength, location and sporting history.
Observing that the team are currently ranked 51st in the world by FIFA and Argentina have gone unbeaten in their previous 36 matches Nielsen Gracenote said Saudi Arabia had just an 8.7% chance of victory.
The Kingdom’s football heroes, however, had other ideas.
The victory has been called an “Arab joy” by Dubai’s Sheikh Mohammed and led to celebrations across the region.
Saudi victory biggest shock in World Cup history
10. Northern Ireland 1-0 Spain (16.5%) 1982.
9. Wales 2-1 Hungary (16.2%) 1958.
8. Wales 2-1 Hungary (16.2%) 1958.
7. Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (14.2%) 1950.
6. Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (14.2%) 1950.
5. Algeria 2-1 West Germany (13.2%) 1982
4. Switzerland 1-0 Spain (10.3%) 2010.
3. Senegal 1-0 France (17.3%) 2002
2. United States 1-0 England (9.5% chance) 1950.
1. Saudi Arabia 2 Argentina 1 (8.7% chance) 2022.
As well as having the data-proven distinction of recording the biggest sporting shock in World Cup history Saudi Arabia is also the team to have scored the best goal in the history of the tournament.
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