Football, similar to any other sport has fiercely competed within the arena. Big matches call for big guns and they respond by giving their 100% in games that etch their names in the Hall of Fame. However not all crucial matches end up living up to the hype expected of them. Easy wins and under performance are a feature of the beautiful game. We take a look at 5 such Easiest Wins in Footballing History.
5. Brazil v Germany, 2014 FIFA World Cup Semi Finals
Brazil was hosting the 2014 World Cup and were favorites to lift the trophy when the unimaginable happened. They were paired with Germany in the semis and got drubbed 7-1 on a shameful night for the football proud nation. Eventual champions Germany were relentless as they made it 5-0 within the first 25 minutes of the game, an unbelievable difference of quality considering it was a World Cup Semi-final.
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4. Real Madrid v Liverpool, 2017-18 UEFA Champions League Final, Kiev
Jurgen Klopp’s side was on a roll with their Egyptian Hitman Mo Salah in prime form. Liverpool famously overcame Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in the Semifinals of the competition to set up a date with the holders in Kyiv. However, the match turned out pretty one-sided as Ramos injured Salah in the first half and Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius made humbling mistakes to gift Real two easy goals. The match ended 3-1 with a couple of goals from ex-Spurs man Gareth Bale.
3. France v Croatia, 2018 FIFA World Cup Final
The 2018 World Cup was Croatia’s World Cup to win. The war-ravaged nation grabbed the attention and fancy of all neutral fans as they made their way to the Final of the competition for the first time in their history. Fans expected more of a fight, but France ripped apart Croatia with a 4-2 scoreline that gave little hope to football romantics whatsoever.
2. Argentina v Germany, 2010 FIFA World Cup Quarterfinals
When Diego Maradona coached Argentina were drawn with Joachim Low’s Germany in the Quarterfinals of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, one expected a clash of styles, a clash of ideologies and a clash of egos. Nobody expected Germany to steamroll Leo Messi’s Argentina 4-0 in one of the most hyped matches of the tournament. The game also meant the end of Diego Maradona’s reign as coach of the national side.
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1. Real Madrid v Juventus, 2016-17 UEFA Champions League Final
The Final of the 2016-17 edition of the UEFA Champions League was anticipated for multiple reasons. The Italian giants Juve had been flawless in defense throughout the tournament. The Los Blancos had CR7 who had the most number of goals in Champions League that season. Cardiff expected to see a matchup of two proper oppositions, a feast. However, it didn’t turn out that way as Real smashed 4 goals past a hapless Buffon on the night to make it their 2nd year running to win the trophy.