The term "Big Team" is used to solidify a club's status in a particular league or competition.
It is the opposite of "underdog", as everyone always expects the top team to prevail, whereas people get shocked when the underdog pulls a trick out of the box.
There have been alot of these going in the top 5 leagues, UEFA competitions, several domestic cup matches, the FIFA world cup tournament and that's why today, and it has always been a spectacle when these types of Titans collide but as I said earlier, it gets interesting when the underdog always find a way to upset his great opponent.
Today, we will be looking at the top 6 best underdog moments in the 2022/2023 season.
In this context, we will be looking at matches that proved that impossibility can only hindered by the person or the team who strives for the possible to come true.
6. Everton 1-0 Arsenal (Premier League)
The Gunners tasted their 2nd loss in the league since losing to Manchester United in October 2022, but the loss was handed to them by a team that was struggling to get out of the relegation spot.
The Toffees had a tough task ahead of them and with new manager Sean Dyche, they hoped to pull out a miracle against a side who are strong contenders for the league title, a miracle which came in a form of an 60th minute header by Everton Center Back James Tarkowski to give them the ultimate lead against their opponents, a lead which they held on to till the end of the match.
Maybe, if Arsenal had won that match, they would have had more points to keep them ahead of Manchester City but I guess we will never know.
5. Cameroon 1-0 Brazil (World Cup Group Stage)
Cameroon knew that even though they aren't getting past their group stage, they still wanted to put up a big fight against the No.1 best country and then favourites: Brazil.
The Lions defended hard against the Samba Boys in the first half, holding off several challenges from different sets of individuals.
Their luck finally shined in the closing stages of the game, as Aboubakar was on hand to score for his team, the goal which ultimately won the game.
Though Brazil had already secured their qualification to the Round of 16 and didn't really need the win, it will go down in history for them and of course, Cameroon.
4. Southampton 2-0 Manchester City (Carabao Cup Quarter Finals)
Yeah, it is actually what you are seeing. Manchester city got knocked out of the EFL competition by a side who, till now, are struggling to come out of the relegation spot in the league.
Two first half goals by the Saints were enough to seal their place in the semi finals and in the process, succeeded in removing one of the heavyweights in the division.
3. Morocco 0-0 Spain (3-0 pens) (World Cup Round of 16)
Spain thought they had one of the easiest draws when it was revealed that their R16 opponent will be the African side, little did they know what was coming.
In this match, Espanyol met perhaps one of the most dogged, tough and annoying defense in the competition, as the Atlas Lions held them throughout the game, so much that they couldn't change the scoreline of the game even in extra time.
With 77% possession of the match, Spain had a total of 13 shots and just one shot on target compared to Morocco's 6 and 2 on target.
Penalties didn't help matters matters, as spain missed their attempts or rather, had 2 of their 3 attempts saved by Yassin Bounou.
Meanwhile, Morocco scored 3 of their 4 attempts, which was more than enough to send them to the quarter finals of the competition.
2. Morocco 1-0 Portugal (World Cup Quarter Finals)
Youssef En-Nenysri might be having a tough season for Sevilla, but his exploits for Morocco in the World Cup, especially in a big stage as the Quarter finals.
It looked certain for Portugal to qualify and move to the Semis but the Atlas Lions, who had defiled many odds already, including their mentioned win against Spain, had something up their sleeves once again.
Morocco took the lead through En-Nenysri in the first half, leaping so high as 2.65m (estimated) to head home from close range and despite the introduction of Cristiano Ronaldo in the Second half which slightly altered the game, the Atlas Lions held on to their precious lead which secured their passage to the Semis and also made them the first African country to ever achieve the feat.
1. Saudi Arabia 2-1 Argentina (World Cup Group Stage)
This will go on in the history of the tournament of one of the most shocking results in its history.
Going into this game, the future champions Argentina were the heavy favourites to come out on top in the game, with their star studded side consisting of the likes of Paulo Dybala, Lautaro Martinez, Rodrigo De Paul and their captain, Lionel Messi.
Argentina did not only get the lead in the first half but also had 3 goals disallowed.
Their passes and possession game were in complete control throughout the half.
But after an inspirational speech from their coach, the Saudi team came out looking stronger than ever.
They set out to change the game, which was sucessfully done, as they shockingly changed the scoreline from 0-1 to 2-1 very early in the second half, shutting up th Argentinan supporters and elevating the saudi crowd.
Despite Argentina's fightback, they couldn't do anything else, at least, the Saudi side limited their movements, keeping them at only possession and on target bay.
Even though Argentina went on to win the cup and Saudi got knocked out of their group, they still showed that anything is possible as long as you put your mind into it and stay focused.
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