The highest score in a soccer game is one of the most remarkable events to ever happen in the sport. Whether it’s a blowout or a record-breaking victory, these games will leave you in awe of the power of soccer.
That was an incredible feat when Dundee Harp racked up 71 goals in two games against Arbroath in 1885. But it pales compared to the 67-goal romp of Police Machine FC against Plateau United Founders on 7 July 2013.
Arbroath vs Dundee Harp 1885
On 12 September in 1885, Arbroath thumped Bon Accord 36-0, setting a record that still stands today. The match took place in Scotland, and it was a one-sided affair.
The Red Lichties were ruthlessly punishing Bon Accord for their inept defence. Arbroath’s key player was 18-year-old John Petrie, who scored two early goals.
However, five to seven goals were disallowed for offside, and the score could have been much higher. It was a remarkable result and one of the greatest games in Scottish football history.
The game also highlighted some strange coincidences and one man’s attempt to keep his name in history. Tom O’Kane was a full-back for the Harp team, and he had made his debut during the game.
Police Machine FC vs Plateau United Founders 2013
Two amateur sides in Nigeria’s third division promotion playoffs in July 2013 racked up 146 goals in a pair of games, with players scoring their own goals to boost their goal difference. Plateau United Founders won 79-0 over Akurba FC, and Police Machine FC thrashed Babayaro 67-0.
Both teams needed a better goal difference to secure promotion to the lowest tier of the country’s professional league. Their final two matches were played on the same day, and each was a must-win.
The game was a mind-boggling display of football. By halftime, the games had a combined 13 goals between them.
The scores were so outlandish that the Nigerian Football Federation slapped lifetime bans on all four teams, as well as players, coaches and officials. It also launched an investigation into match-fixing.
Stade Olympique l’Emyrne vs AS Adema 2002
In 2002, a club from Madagascar called AS Adema set a world record for the highest score in a soccer game by beating Stade Olympique l’Emyrne 149-0. This was an insanely high number of goals and will likely never be beaten in football history.
SO Emyrne were playing a match against AS Adema on 31 October 2002, and the home side decided to protest against a controversial refereeing decision in the previous game. The team then repeatedly kicked the ball into their own goal 149 times.
The bizarre stunt earned the Madagascan side severe sanctions, including a three-year ban for their coach and four players. It also earned the team a spot in the Guinness Book of Records for the highest number of own goals in a football game.
Villarreal vs Navata 2005
Villarreal CF is a small, Spanish team that has made an international name for itself. They play their games in the city of Villarreal on Spain’s east coast, a three-hour train ride east of Madrid and 2.5 hours from Barcelona.
The club is known for their attacking style, and they have an impressive record in Europe, reaching the Champions League Semi-Finals in four of its last five European competitions. Their current squad includes many young players and is looking to build on a strong start to the season.
They are in a tough group against Italian teams, including Inter, Napoli and Atalanta, but will have a strong chance of progressing this time. They have only been eliminated in the Round of 16 once since 2005, winning against Inter in April 2006 and losing to Napoli in December 2011.
It’s an exciting match between two sides with a history of success in Europe. They’re both unbeaten at home in La Liga this season, and Villarreal will be hoping for a strong performance against a side that has lost just once in six matches against them in all competitions.
