5 greatest World Cup upsets as Billy Bingham dies after masterminding miracle of 1982

Legendary Northern Ireland boss Billy Bingham, 90, died on Friday - the boss is best remembered for Northern Ireland's incredible upset against Spain at the 1982 World Cup

Will Schofield Senior Sports Reporter

16:08, 10 Jun 2022

Billy Bingham, 90, passed away on Friday(Image: Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

Legendary Northern Ireland boss Billy Bingham, 90, died on Friday, his family announced.

Bingham was Northern Ireland's most successful manager, and earned fame in his homeland after guiding the Green and White Army to two successive World Cups. And he was at the helm of the side during their most famous hour - a 1-0 win over host nation Spain in 1982.

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Here, Daily Star Sport looks at the five greatest upsets in World Cup history: from Northern Ireland's 'masterclass' over the Spaniards to a World Cup final loss that changed the trajectory of a famous footballing nation.

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5 - USA vs England, 1950

The captains of England and USA, Billy Wright and Ed McIlvenny (right) exchange souvenirs at the start of their match on June 29, 1950 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil, in which the American team won 1-0 much to the amazement of the football world.

English newspaper believed that the result must have been a mistake(Image: Keystone/Getty Images)

It's safe to say England haven't always had their own way on the global stage - thankfully, that Iceland loss under Roy Hodgson happened at the Euros, so we don't have to relive that one.

Unfortunately, the same can't be said for the American 'miracle of the turf' in 1950 when the USA managed to beat England 1-0. Such a shock was the result, legend has it English newspapers believed there had been a mistake when the score was filed and thought England had actually won 10-1!

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At least it's been sunshine and rainbows since then for the Three Lions...

Do you agree with our list? Let us know in the comments section below.

4 - Senegal vs France, 2002

Senegalese midfielder Pape Bouba Diop (L) celebrates after scoring the first goal of the 2002 FIFA World Cup Korea/Japan in Seoul, 31 May 2002. Senegal jumped out to a 1-0 lead over defending world champions France in their opening Group A match.

Senegal upset the world champions in their first ever World Cup clash(Image: PATRICK HERTZOG/AFP via Getty Images)

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Long before Senegal were led by a global superstar in the form of Sadio Mane, they were unfancied World Cup debutants taking on the reigning world champions.

During the opening game of the 2002 World Cup, Papa Bouba Diop's strike was enough to brush aside a French side that featured a litany of superstars. The late Fulham midfielder, aka "The Wardrobe", made history by downing one of the greatest international sides in living memory.

The dream didn't end there for the African team either, and it took a Turkish golden goal in the quarter-finals to knock them out of the competition.

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3 - East Germany vs West Germany, 1974

Konrad Weise (left) of East Germany and Gerd Müller of West Germany in action during the World Cup Group 1 match at the Volksparkstadion, Hamburg, Germany, 22nd June 1974. East Germany won the match 1-0.

East Germany managed to beat West Germany on their own turf(Image: Bride Lane Library/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

In a game that FIFA definitely wouldn't allow to take place these days, the two German sides clashed at the 1974 World Cup.

West Germany were by far the favourites, and jealous eyes must have been cast across the Berlin Wall at their team of superstars, which featured Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Muller.

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In the ultimate smash-and-grab, the East Germans travelled to their neighbours' who were hosting the tournament and escaped with a 1-0 win. West Germany did, however, end up with the Jules Rimet trophy.

2 - Northern Ireland vs Spain, 1982

Northern Ireland's victory over Spain still remains their greatest footballing achievement(Image: Bob Thomas/Getty Images)

Onto Billy Bingham's tactical masterclass; the Northern Irish side needed a win in the baking heat of Valencia if they were to progress into the second phase.

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Spain stood in their way - but Gerry Armstrong's strike in the second half cemented a famous night in Mestalla for the Green and White Army.

However, that was as good as it got for Northern Ireland, as they lost both of their resulting games in the next phase.

1 - Brazil vs Uruguay, 1950

Sport, Football, World Cup Final, 16th July 1950, Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil 1, v Uruguay 2, The Uruguay, Back row,l-r, Obdulio Varela (captain), Juan Lopez (coach), Tejera, Vazquez (trainer), Abate (trainer), Gambetta, Gonzalez, Roque Maspoli, Andrade, Kirshberg (Masseur), Front row, l-r, Alvarez (trainer), Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia, Perez, Miguez, Juan Alberto Schiaffino, Moran and Figoli (trainer), Uruguay upset predictions of an easy victory for Brazil by winning this final match of the tournament 2-1 with goals from Juan Alberto Schiaffino and Alcides Edgardo Ghiggia, in front of an estimated attendance of 200, OOO disbelieving Brazilians at the newly built Maracana Stadium, Following this defeat the superstitous Brazilians decided to change their white shirts trimmed with blue, to the now familiar yellow and green

Uruguay changed the trajectory of Brazilian football forever(Image: Bob Thomas/Popperfoto via Getty Images/Getty Images)

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Uruguay beating Brazil hardly seems like it should be ranked as the greatest World Cup upset of all time - after all, in 1950, Uruguay had conquered the world once while Brazil were still waiting for their first.

Brazil, on home turf, were expected to dance their way around Uruguay with the swagger of a side that had demolished everything in its path. However, as you may have guessed, that didn't happen and Brazil crumbled in a game that has been dubbed the Maracanazo.

Such was the national heartbreak Brazil did away with the white kits, and in came the now-famous yellow.

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