World Cup walkovers! After Saudi Arabia are smashed, the ten biggest tournament wins ever

Sam Elliott
One sided stars: There have been so big thrashings in the history of the World Cup
One sided stars: There have been so big thrashings in the history of the World Cup

So you thought Saudi Arabia were bad during Thursday’s opening World Cup game? Then wait until you see this little lot.

The Al-Suqour were very poor against Russia but we have of course seen many worse defences in years gone by.

Yahoo Sport takes a look at the ten biggest victories ever in the competition.

No love from Russia: The hosts didn’t hold back as they took Saudi to pieces on the opening night
No love from Russia: The hosts didn’t hold back as they took Saudi to pieces on the opening night

THE 32: CHELSEA’S CLAIRE RAFFERTY ON THE DANGER OF BEING A ONE-MAN TEAM:

1: Hungary 10-1 El Salvador (1982)

This whitewash wasn’t one to remember for the first Central American nation to qualify for the World Cup twice. Laszlo Kiss bagged a hat-trick – but despite the goal parade Hungary failed to escape the group stages.

2: Hungary 9-0 South Korea (1954)

It’s fair to say South Korea didn’t enjoy their first ever World Cup finals. They were taken apart in the 1954 opening game in Zurich as Sandor Kocsis notched a hat-trick as the legendary Ferenc Puskas pulled the strings.

Dire Zaire: It was just too easy for Yugoslavia back in 1974
Dire Zaire: It was just too easy for Yugoslavia back in 1974

3: Yugoslavia 9-0 Zaire (1974)

Zaire weren’t expected to star in 1974 but they weren’t expected to be quite so bad either! Dusan Bajevic scored three times and it could have been even more for Yugoslavia.

4: Sweden 8-0 Cuba (1938)

If you thought Cuba hadn’t ever got near a World Cup then you would be surprised. But the first and only time, the 1938 tournament, saw the Caribbean nation do superbly – until the quarter finals that was! Tore Keller and Gustav Wetterstrom both helped themselves to hat-tricks.

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5: Uruguay 8-0 Bolivia (1950)

Nobody expected Uruguay to win the 1950 World Cup but the warning signs were there. Oscar Miguez was lethal with three goals as they bowled over a hapless Bolivia.

Saudi torn to shreds: They weren’t great in 2002, by all accounts either
Saudi torn to shreds: They weren’t great in 2002, by all accounts either

6: Germany 8-0 Saudi Arabia (2002)

Think Saudi were bad last night? They were worse in 2002. It was the Sapporo Dome of doom as Miroslav Klose hit three, with Oliver Bierhoff , Michael Ballack, Carsten Jancker, Thomas Linke and Bernd Schneider also scoring.

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7: Turkey 7-0 South Korea (1954)

Fresh from being taken apart 9-0 by Hungary, Turkey were next to rain in the goals back in 1954. South Korea wish they missed the plane as the lost both of their group games, letting in 16 in the process. Ouch!

Scottish surrender: Uruguay hardly broke sweat as they eased past the Tartan Army in 1954
Scottish surrender: Uruguay hardly broke sweat as they eased past the Tartan Army in 1954

8: Uruguay 7-0 Scotland (1954)

Following on from their 8-0 win over Bolivia, four years later Uruguay smashed Scotland by seven in 1954. Carlos Borges bagged three in Basel, with Miguez and Julio Abbadie scoring twice apiece.

9: Poland 7-0 Haiti (1974)

It wasn’t a bad World Cup for Poland in 1974. Seeing off England Argentina, Italy and Brazil, they also walked all over Haiti 7-0. Andrzej Szarmach was the star of the show with seven well-taken goals.

Seventh heaven: Portugal’s Jose Raul Meireles had a good day at the office
Seventh heaven: Portugal’s Jose Raul Meireles had a good day at the office

10: Portugal 7-0 North Korea (2010)

After a timid 0-0 draw with Ivory Coast at World Cup 2010, the knives were out for Portugal. They responded to their critics in style by knocking seven past the dreadful North Korea in Cape Town. Ronaldo could have had a hat-trick but ended with just the one.