A thunderbolt shot from former Super Eagles’ captain, Sunday Ogochukwu Oliseh against Spain has been cited within a survey of the most astonishing upsets recorded in the FIFA World Cup history book, Sports247 reports.
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Oliseh’s rocket shot helped Nigeria seal a shock 3-2 win against the Spaniards at France ’98, a result that has now been rated as the ninth biggest upset ever in the annals of FIFA World Cup milestones since inception in 1930.
The stunning result that was achieved by the squad coached by Bora Milutinovic is rated ahead of Argentina’s 2-1 loss to Saudi Arabia during the group stage of Qatar 2022, in their first game of the tournament that they eventually won.
In eighth spot is East Germany’s 1-0 spanking of West Germany in 1974, seventh is Italy losing 0-1 Costa Rica at Brazil 2014, while sixth position goes to France’s 1-0 slump to Senegal in the opening match of Korea/Japan 2002.
Fifth on the roll call of World Cup shocks is England 0-1 USA at Brazil 1950, with fourth spot held by South Korea’s 2-1 win over Italy in the 2002 round of 16, third is Brazil losing 1-2 to Norway in the group stage of France ’98.
The second most astonishing World Cup upset ever is West Germany 1-2 fall to Algeria in the group stage at Spain ’82, while best of the lot goes to Cameroon’s stunning 1-0 victory over Argentina, even after having a player sent off at Italy 1990.
While African teams hold top spot and second place in the World Cup upsets’ roll call, Nigerian fans would be thrilled to know that their team also has a part of history to relish in this regard, with Oliseh’s goal standing out prominently.
A citation by Tribal Football noted in part, “Nigeria pulled off one of the greatest upsets in football history by defeating heavy tournament favourites Spain 3-2 in their opening group match of the 1998 FIFA World Cup.
“The match was a pulsating, back-and-forth thriller where Spain twice took the lead, only for Nigeria to fight back each time. Sunday Oliseh scored the winner when he unleashed a ferocious, unstoppable 30-yard half-volley that rocketed past a diving Andoni Zubizarreta into the bottom corner.”
Furthermore, 80s&90sFootball ⚽ @80s90sfootball added via #OnThisDay @ #France98: “Nigeria came from 2-1 down to beat Spain 3-2. A shocking error from Zubizaretta made it 2-2 before an absolute screamer from Sunday Oliseh sealed a stunning win for the Super Eagles. Fantastic match.”
