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10 shockers that shook the sports world
A nation whose attacking soccer has thrilled the world for generations was left heart-broken on Tuesday after Brazil's humiliating 7-1 loss to Germany in the World Cup semi-finals.
Brazil has hosted one of the most memorable World Cups ever but the country's dream of winning on home soil was not the only thing shattered by a ruthless Germany in an extraordinary match in Belo Horizonte.
The South American country's pride also took a battering as the carnival atmosphere that had swept over the samba nation gave way to a state of shock and disbelief following Brazil's heaviest ever international defeat.
Brazil coach Luiz Felipe Scolari issued a heart-felt apology to a country that had spent more than $11 billion to host the World Cup and invested its heart and soul in making the tournament a success.
"My message for the Brazilian people is this. Please excuse us for this performance," he said.
"I'm sorry that we weren't able to get to the final - and we're going to try to win the third place match. We still have something to play for."
Complete coverage of the football World Cup
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USA stun England
Following the latest ‘disaster’, Rediff.com takes a look at various sporting shockers, which shook the world.
USA 1-0 England (1950) World Cup
Same venue, similar humiliation. However the opponents were different this time. Sixty-four years ago, it was England who were saving their face losing out to the United States.
Coming into the tournament as favourites, England were facing a side that had an aggregate goal difference of minus 43.
But surprisingly, Americans rode their luck on a Joe Gaetjens’ first-half goal and then defended as if their lives depended on it to register the unlikeliest of wins.
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When Uruguay broke Brazilian hearts
Uruguay 2-1 Brazil (1950) World Cup
Same World Cup, it was minnows Uruguay’s turn to humiliate mighty Brazilians.
Brazil was expected to ease past Uruguay for the title.
Friaca gave the hosts the lead but Juan Alberto Schiaffino equalised before Alcides Ghiggia hit the winning goal with 11 minutes left.
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Douglas knocks out Tyson
Buster Douglas stuns Mike Tyson, Tokyo 1990
Before the fight, Tyson was unbeaten as a professional and routinely knocked his opponents out in the first round. That all changed 35 seconds into the 10th round when massive underdog Douglas knocked Tyson out for the first time in his career, causing one of the greatest upsets in boxing history.
Tyson would never completely recover. He went on to win subsequent fights and even regain the world heavyweight title briefly. But the dominant reign of the man who some thought early in his career would be considered the greatest heavyweight boxer of all time was over.
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India stun West Indies to lift World Cup
India beat West Indies by 43 runs, World Cup final, Lord's, June 25, 1983
India, with just 17 wins in their first nine years in one-dayers, were considered fortunate to just be at a World Cup final.
And there was surely no way they could even stand up to the mighty West Indies which had the world's best fast bowlers.
At the half-way stage, when India were bundled out for 183, it appeared all was going according to script.
However, Kapil Dev's team came up with a brilliant all-round display in the field and overcame all odds to conquer the world.
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Minnows Bangladesh cause a major upset
Bangladesh caused one of the biggest upsets of the 2007 World Cup by defeating India and being instrumental in their early elimination from the tournament.
It was the first time the teams faced each other in a World Cup match.
After dismissing India for 191 in 49.3 overs, Bangladesh scored 195-5 in 48.3 overs.
Tamim Iqbal was Bangladesh’s batting hero while Mashrafe Mortaza was the man-of-the-match for his bowling as India was beaten by five wickets.
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Pak Do Ik's day of glory
North Korea 1 Italy 0, 1966 World Cup
Twice World Cup winners Italy took on unheralded North Korea, playing in their first World Cup in England with a huge win expected for the Europeans.
But Pak Do Ik's goal ensured a massive upset and the Asian team went down in folklore.
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Graf decimates Zvereva
Steffi Graf beats Natasha Zvereva in 1988 French Open final
Germany's Graf thrashed Zvereva of the Soviet Union 6-0, 6-0 to defend the women's title in a match that lasted 32 minutes - the shortest final in the Open era.
It was the first French Open final in which a player had failed to win a game and the first double bagel in a Grand Slam final since Dorothy Lambert Chambers defeated D.P. Boothby at Wimbledon in 1911.
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The least popular underdog victors in history
Portugal 0-1 Greece (2004) European Championship
Portugal had a golden opportunity to win the European Championship on home soil, only Greece had other plans.
A young Cristiano Ronaldo and an ageing Luis Figo could do nothing to stop the Greek game-plan of stifling and set-pieces as Angelos Charisteas headed in the only goal from a corner. Perhaps the least popular underdog victors in history.
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Manchester United's nightmare
Manchester United lose 1-6 to Manchester City (2011)
Perhaps the most embarrassing defeats of the Alex Ferguson era.
United were unstoppable and there was a fear in the teams coming to united. All that crashed with this defeat.
Riding high on Mario Balotelli’s brace, before Sergio Aguero made it three. Jonny Evans was sent off and Darren Fletcher responded as United chased the game but left themselves open to three goals in the final minutes through David Silva and an Edin Dzeko double.
It was United's worst home defeat since 1955 and the score proved decisive as City went on to win the Premier League on goal difference – their first-top flight title in 44 years.
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Houghton's stunner decimates Italy
Cameroon 1 Argentina 0 (1990)
Francois Omam-Biyik's 67th-minute goal completed a remarkable opening game for the tournament in Italy as the reigning champions fell to the Africans who would go on to win the hearts of fans with a dazzling run to the quarter-finals.
Ireland 1 Italy 0 (1994)
Another upset against Italy. Ray Houghton's shot from the edge of the box gave minnows Ireland their most surprising World Cup win against the three-time champions who would go on to lose the final against Brazil.