The Highest Football Goal Scores Ever

Read on to find out which games had the highest goal scoring totals of all time

There have been a number of football games that have ended with the scores resembling the end of a rugby game, or even a cricket match. Some teams took winning big to another level and broke a record or two in the process.

This post will look at the biggest wins across football, because the Premier League, Internationals and a few games in Scotland were the backdrop to some incredibly one-sided football scores.
Brazil vs Germany, 2014

One of the most famous high scoring games came during a semi-final in the 2014 World Cup. Germany destroyed Brazil 7-1 to walk their way into the final, which they would go on to win and claim their fourth World title.

While the score itself isn’t that mind blowing, it is more the fact that an “older” German side bea the much stronger Brazilians, in Brazil. The hosts were distraught, and Germany going on to win was almost a no-brainer by that stage.

Manchester United vs Southampton, 2021

More recently, the Saints were on the receiving end of an absolute drubbing in February of this year. The Red Devils would eventually win 9-0, and while that score leaves much to be desired for Southampton fans, it doesn’t tell the whole story.

Alex Jankewitz was sent off for the Saints in the 2nd minute with a straight red card, United scored four goals in the first half, which included an own goal by Saints defender Jan Bednarak. They scored 5 in the second half including a penalty, and to top off his dreadful day, Bednarak was sent off in the 86th minute. A game to forget for the Saints.

Leicester vs Southapton, 2019

That wasn’t the only 9-0 loss Southampton have been on the end of recently, Leicester did the same thing to them back in 2019. This time, an early red card marked the beginning of the end for them.

Ben Chilwell scored for Leicester in the 10th, and then Ryan Bertrand was sent off in the 12th, the rest is history. Both Ayoze Perez and Jamie Vardy scored a hattrick, with Youri Tielemans and James Madisson also getting in on the goals.

Australia vs American Samoa, 2001

17th April, 2001 is a date the American Samoan football association is still trying to forget. They played an international against Australia, which they would eventually lose 31-0. As mentioned at the beginning, some scores look like rugby scores.

Australian striker Archie Thompson scored 13 goals, the highest tally in an international since WW1, and teammate David Zdrillic scored 8, the second highest in an international since WW1. This result led to a change in format, adding prelim rounds to prevent ridiculously mismatched games in the qualification stages.

Preston North End vs Hyde United, 1887

Preston North End hold the record for the highest goal tally in an FA Cup game, beating Hyde United 26-0 back in 1887. Not only did they break that record, but that score allowed them to break two more.

They also broke the record for the highest home score margin, and the highest aggregate score. The 1887-89 Preston team also went Invincible, with a 42-game unbeaten streak, and they won the 1889 FA Cup without conceding a single goal.

Dundee Harp vs Aberdeen Rovers, 1885

Scotland has also had its fair share of insanely one-sided games. One such game took place in 1885, when Dundee Harp beat Aberdeen Rovers 35-0. Although this result is slightly debatable, as some say it ended 37-0.

This result also occurred on the same day as the match that is next on our list, small but obviously hinted at, 71 goals were scored in two games on the 12th of September 1885, which, by all accounts, is yet to be matched.

Arbroath vs Bon Accord, 1885

Arbroath playing and beating Bon Accord is the other game that happened, with Arbroath beating Bon Accord 36-0. While both score lines are incredible, this one is the one that broke a record that stood all the way until 2002.

Arbroaths 36 goals was the highest margin of victory in a professional football game, and as mentioned, it held that title until the 31st of October 2002, when the result in the next game on this list blew it out the water.

AS Adema vs L’Emyrne 2002

AS Adema vs L’Emyrne will go down as the most jaw-dropping and insane game to ever take place in professional football. Both teams were in a four-team round robin group, after some shocking refereeing decisions that went against them constantly, L’Emyrne decided to protest their game against their arch-rivals AS Adema.

What they decided to do was score a few own goals as a protest, but not 10, not 50, not even 100 own goals, they ended up scoring 149. The game was a complete sham, fans demanded refunds, but it holds the record for the highest number of goals scored in a professional match ever.

As you can tell, high scoring games have been happening since the start of football itself, and it is only a matter of time before we see another double figure victory.