The 20 Biggest Underdogs in History

At the 1980 Winter Olympics, a team of American college students faced off against the Soviet national ice hockey team—composed of professional players—which had dominated the sport for decades. No one expected the U.S. team to even keep up, but it managed to pull off a stunning 4-3 victory in the final. That game remains one of the most iconic moments in sports history, as it demonstrated that determination can sometimes trump sheer experience.

In 490 B.C., an Athenian army vastly outnumbered by the enemy faced off against the mighty Persian Empire on the plains of Marathon. Although the Persians had superior numbers and resources, the Greeks were able to use more effective tactics and their unwavering determination to defend their homeland. Even today, the impact of that victory is felt every time someone runs those famous 42.195 km in tribute to the messenger who delivered the news.

Mike Tyson was a force to be reckoned with who crushed all his opponents in the early 1990s. Buster Douglas stepped into the ring as a long shot (42-to-1 odds) while going through a period of deep personal distress. By knocking out Tyson in the tenth round, he pulled off what many still consider today to be the biggest upset in boxing history.

Imagine a young peasant girl with no military training who manages to convince the French monarchy that she is destined to lead their armies. Joan of Arc didn’t just come forward; she successfully led the siege of Orléans and turned the tide of the Hundred Years’ War. It’s hard to find a more unlikely military commander.

Ever since their inception, the Mets have always been the laughingstock of MLB. Everyone made fun of their disastrous seasons and their hopelessly mediocre play. During their miraculous 1969 season, they made history by defeating the Baltimore Orioles in the World Series.

At the start of the 2015–2016 season, bookmakers had Leicester City at 5,000-to-1 odds to win the English title. Yet this small club, which had narrowly avoided relegation the previous year, managed to outpace the giants of London and Manchester, backed by billionaires. No one could have predicted this historic sporting miracle.

A diverse group of colonists decided to stand up to the British Empire, which at the time had the most powerful navy in the world. Through guerrilla tactics and unwavering perseverance, the Americans wore down British forces until they achieved independence. This is a classic example of a numerically inferior force that used its knowledge to outmaneuver a global superpower.

Even if you aren’t religious, the story of a young shepherd who defeats a giant warrior with a single stone is the archetype of all legends featuring underdogs. Goliath had the armor and the stature, but David had the accuracy and the courage to attack from a distance. This ancient tale continues to inspire people.

Trailing their rivals 3-0 in the series, the Red Sox were at their lowest point. They became the first team in baseball history to overcome such a deficit and finally ended an 86-year championship drought. Watching them break out of that slump taught us that you should never give up until the last out.

Haiti became the first country to emerge from a successful slave revolt by defeating the powerful French forces sent by Napoleon. Under the leadership of the brilliant Toussaint Louverture, this people—who had freed themselves—fought for their dignity against one of the best-trained armies in history. Their victory completely reshaped the Atlantic world.

Coach Jim Valvano led his “Cardiac Pack” on an incredible run in the NCAA Tournament, which culminated in a last-second dunk against the formidable Houston Cougars. Houston boasted future Hall of Famers on its roster and was nicknamed “Phi Slama Jama,” making it seem like a team of titans compared to the modest NC State squad.

Even though the 300 Spartans ultimately fell, their ability to stand up to hundreds of thousands of Persians was nothing short of epic. Their resistance allowed the rest of Greece to organize its defenses and, ultimately, win the war. One cannot help but feel respect for a group of warriors who, although aware of the impossibility of their task, decided nonetheless to stay and fight.

The AFL was generally considered inferior to the NFL until Joe Namath boldly guaranteed that his New York Jets would defeat the Baltimore Colts. He didn’t just make provocative statements; he actually backed up his words by leading his team to a 16-7 victory. That single game completely changed the perception of professional American football.

In what has gone down in history as the “Miracle of Bern,” the West German team faced a Hungarian squad that had not lost a game in four years. Hungary, the heavy favorite, even took a 2-0 lead early in the final. The Germans, however, managed to come back and win 3-2, thereby restoring a much-needed sense of hope and identity to a nation devastated by war.

In 1588, Spain sent a massive fleet to invade England, expecting to win a quick victory over the smaller English navy. Thanks to a combination of clever tactics involving fire ships and particularly favorable weather conditions, Elizabeth’s forces sent the “Invincible Armada” back home. This victory established England as a major maritime power.

The fillies (young female horses) weren’t supposed to “stand a chance” against a field of powerful colts in the Kentucky Derby. Not only did Genuine Risk hold her own against the colts, but she beat them. Her victory proved that talent knows no gender or expectations once the gates open.

It is no coincidence that this war was called the “Winter War.” The Finns took advantage of the freezing weather to thwart the Russian troops’ maneuvers. Although they were ultimately forced to sign a peace treaty, they retained their independence and earned the respect of the entire world.

In 2015, Ronda Rousey was the undefeated face of the UFC and seemed simply untouchable in the Octagon. Holly Holm was a decorated boxer, but few experts believed she would be able to withstand Rousey’s wrestling techniques. Holm’s perfectly timed kick to the head stunned the sports world and changed the course of women’s MMA history.

Two brothers who owned a bicycle shop were not the ones the government expected to solve the mystery of the motorized flight. All they had was their unwavering passion for engineering. Their successful flight in 1903 proved that innovation often arises in the most humble workshops rather than in the largest institutions.

In 2007, a small FCS-division university traveled to the “Big House” to face the team ranked fifth in the nation. Michigan was expected to crush them. But Appalachian State blocked a field goal in the final seconds to win by one point.