From controversial matches in Madagascar and Nigeria to unequal confrontations in the World Cup qualifiers, these matches not only broke all records for the number of goals but also raised many doubts about the honesty of sports. In the history of world football, there have been many matches that ended with unbelievable score differences, making viewers shocked and pondering the nature of sports. Let’s take a look at the 5 highest scoring soccer game ever recorded with Bestsoccertips.com.
Top 5 football matches with the most goals
5. Australia 31-0 American Samoa (2002 World Cup qualifiers)
Before joining the Asian Football Confederation, Australia was recognized as an unrivaled force in the Oceania region, with superior strength compared to the remaining teams. The Australian team has repeatedly shown its dominance in international tournaments, and the difference in level between them and the teams in the region is very clear. The match between Australia and American Samoa in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers is a typical example of that superiority.
In the 2002 World Cup qualifiers, Australia did not give their opponents American Samoa a chance to fight back when they won convincingly with a score of 31-0. This was an unforgettable victory in the history of international football, and most notably the performance of striker Archie Thompson, who scored 13 goals, setting a personal record for goals scored in an official international match. This achievement became a historical milestone and the clearest proof of Australia’s superiority at that time.
4. Arbroath 36-0 Bon Accord (Scotland, 1885)
This match, which took place nearly 140 years ago, still holds the record for the biggest score difference in an official match in Scotland. Arbroath v Bon Accord, played in the first round of the Scottish Cup, was a historic match in Scottish football. The home team, Arbroath, who had plenty of experience, faced Bon Accord, a newly formed side who were not fully prepared for competition at this level.
The result was a crushing 36-0 victory for Arbroath, an incredible scoreline that has never been surpassed in a Scottish game. The match not only reflected Arbroath’s superiority but also showed the stark difference in skill between the two teams. It is one of the most memorable matches in Scottish football history and remains a record to this day.
3. Police Machine 67-0 Babayaro (Nigeria, 2013)
This match was played on the same day as another higher-scoring game in Nigeria, but it had serious and regrettable consequences. Bubayaro were 6-0 down at half-time, but things got worse as they conceded goals in the second half in questionable circumstances. The result was not only a disastrous professional defeat, but also raised alarms about match-fixing in football.
The outcome of the match was very serious: the participating clubs were banned from the game for 10 years, and the players and officials involved were banned for life. The Nigerian Football Federation has since pledged to eradicate match-fixing in the country’s football leagues. This is a strong step towards cleaning up the football environment in Nigeria, to protect transparency and fairness in competitions.
2. Plateau United Feeders 79-0 Akurba (Nigeria, 2013)
This match took place in the Nigerian lower league in July 2013, and after the first half ended 7-0, the Akurba team seemed to have completely surrendered. In the second half, they not only scored an own goal but also allowed their opponents to take penalties with ease, without any significant resistance. These actions made the result of the match extremely illogical and immediately raised suspicions of match-fixing.
After an investigation, the Nigeria Football Federation imposed a ten-year ban on both clubs involved in the match. Furthermore, all players and coaches involved in the incident were also banned for life. This is a strong move by the Nigeria Football Federation to eliminate match-fixing in the country’s football, protecting the integrity and fairness of national tournaments.
1. AS Adema 149-0 Stade Olympique L’Emyrne (Madagascar, 2002)
This match holds the Guinness World Record for the most goals scored in a football match, taking place in Madagascar in 2002, with an unbelievable score of 149-0 in favor of AS Adema. However, behind this huge number is a sad story about the spirit of sportsmanship. Stade Olympique L’Emyrne (SOE), the reigning champions of the THB Champions League in 2001, lost the chance to defend their title after a draw in the penultimate round. Dissatisfied with the referee’s controversial penalty decision in the previous match, SOE decided to protest by… scoring consecutive own goals in the final match against AS Adema.
This action was not only a disrespectful protest against the opponent but also a serious violation of sporting principles. The consequences of this action were very serious: the SOE coach and four players, including the captain of the Madagascar national team, were banned by the National Football Federation for three years. Although it created a record that is unlikely to be broken in the future, this match was a valuable lesson in the importance of sportsmanship and respect for opponents and referee decisions.
Conclusion
The highest scoring soccer game above is not only a record of goals, but also a story reflecting injustice, controversy and even actions that are not in accordance with the spirit of sportsmanship. Nevertheless, they still leave an indelible mark on fans and are an indispensable part of the history of the king of sports. These matches remind us of the importance of fairness, respect for opponents and the sport itself, where every decision must be based on the principles of honesty and patience.
