In sports, an underdog is a team or player that is widely expected to lose. Yet every so often, an underdog defies the odds and achieves a victory for the ages. These sports underdog stories capture our imagination and inspire fans worldwide. The term upset refers to any unexpected victory – when the underdog beats the favored opponent. In this article, we explore three famous historic upsets in sports: the 1980 “Miracle on Ice” hockey game, Leicester City’s 2016 Premier League title, and boxer Buster Douglas’s 1990 knockout of Mike Tyson. Each case shows how determination, teamwork, and belief can lead to the impossible becoming reality.
Miracle on Ice (1980)
One of the most celebrated underdog wins is the Miracle on Ice at the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid. In that famous game, a U.S. ice hockey team made up of mostly college players faced the dominant Soviet Union team. The Soviets had won four consecutive Olympic gold medals and were full-time athletes, so the Americans were heavy underdogs. On February 22, 1980, Team USA stunned the world by beating the Soviets 4–3. (In hockey, each goal scores one point, and this was a single game in a tournament.)
After falling behind early, the young U.S. team rallied. Captain Mike Eruzione scored the winning goal, and goaltender Jim Craig made key saves. The Americans held on through the final moments as the crowd held its breath. This victory, often called a David vs. Goliath moment, transcended sports – coming at a tense time during the Cold War. As NHL.com notes, “Few events transcend sports the way the United States’ upset gold medal in men’s ice hockey at the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics has”nhl.com. In fact, Sports Illustrated later named the Miracle on Ice the top sports moment of the 20th centuryusopm.org.
Two days later, the U.S. team beat Finland to win the Olympic gold medal. The entire run inspired a nation and later became the subject of books and movies. (In hockey, the goalie or goaltender is the player who defends the net, and goals are scored by sending the puck into the net.)
Leicester City Winning the Premier League (2016)
Another astonishing upset in sports happened in English soccer (football) during the 2015–2016 season. Leicester City Football Club, a modest team with few star players, was given 5,000-to-1 odds to win the Premier League – essentially no chanceespn.com. At the start of the season, bookmakers and pundits expected Leicester to struggle and even be relegated (moved down to a lower division). But under manager Claudio Ranieri, the team rallied around a strong sense of teamwork and confidence.
By the final weeks, Leicester led the league standings. On May 2, 2016, even though Leicester only drew (tied) 2–2 with Tottenham Hotspur on the last day, their nearest rivals also failed to win their games, so Leicester secured the title. Winning the league means finishing with the most points across the season (each match win earns 3 points, a draw 1 point). Despite many games played, Leicester ended up on top. BBC Sport called Leicester’s 2016 triumph “an astounding sporting story”bbc.com. Fans around the world were amazed that a team once considered likely to lose (an underdog) could top the champions list.
Several players stood out: striker Jamie Vardy scored many goals, playmaker Riyad Mahrez won the PFA Player of the Year award, and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel made crucial saves. Leicester beat traditional powerhouses like Manchester United and Chelsea along the way. This was truly one of the great historic upsets in sports, and it inspired fans everywhere.
Buster Douglas Defeating Mike Tyson (1990)
In boxing, James “Buster” Douglas’s 1990 win over Mike Tyson is legendary. Tyson was the undisputed heavyweight champion and had been knocking out opponents almost effortlessly. Douglas, by contrast, was a relatively unknown fighter. Bookmakers made Douglas a 42-to-1 underdog. In other words, almost everyone expected Tyson to win easily. (In boxing, a heavyweight match lasts up to 12 rounds, each round being 3 minutes long. A fight can end early by a knockout (KO) if a boxer cannot get up after being hit.)
On February 11, 1990, in Tokyo, Douglas performed far above expectations. He fought aggressively and kept Tyson on the defensive. In the 8th round, Douglas knocked Tyson down for the first time. Then in the 10th round, Douglas landed a series of punches that sent Tyson to the canvas again. The referee counted to ten, and Tyson could not continue – a knockout. Douglas had pulled off “what is considered the most shocking upset in boxing history – and maybe in all of sports – by defeating the heavyweight champion of the world, Mike Tyson”espn.com.
This match is often called “the biggest upset in boxing history.” ESPN noted it “still resonates all these years later” and quotes promoters saying the upset “was like a soul-searching thing. It was unbelievable”espn.com. In that moment, Douglas became a real-life hero, and the world saw that even an overwhelming favorite can be beaten.
Newcastle United’s 2025 League Cup Triumph
After a 56-year wait, Newcastle United clinched their first major trophy since 1969 by defeating Liverpool 2–1 in the League Cup final. This victory marked a significant turnaround for the club, which had faced numerous challenges over the decades. The win not only ended a long-standing trophy drought but also signaled a new era of ambition and success for the Magpies. cbssports.com+3facebook.com+3reddit.com+3
Paris Saint-Germain’s Maiden Champions League Victory (2025)
Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) achieved a historic milestone by winning their first UEFA Champions League title in 2025. They delivered a commanding performance in the final, defeating Inter Milan 5–0. This triumph was the culmination of years of investment and restructuring, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination to succeed on Europe’s biggest stage. goal.comthescottishsun.co.uk+2sport.optus.com.au+2goal.com+2
Read the full article The Champions of Europe
Bologna’s Coppa Italia Victory After 51 Years
In a stunning upset, Bologna FC won the Coppa Italia in 2025, their first major trophy in over half a century. They secured a 1–0 victory over AC Milan, with Dan Ndoye scoring the decisive goal. This victory was a testament to the team’s perseverance and marked a significant achievement in the club’s history. youtube.com+3cbssports.com+3youtube.com+3sports.yahoo.com+2sports.yahoo.com+2cbssports.com+2sports.yahoo.com
Royal Challengers Bengaluru’s First IPL Title (2025)
After 17 seasons, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally clinched their maiden Indian Premier League (IPL) title in 2025. Led by Virat Kohli, RCB defeated Punjab Kings by six runs in a thrilling final. Kohli’s leadership and the team’s resilience were pivotal in overcoming past disappointments and achieving this long-awaited success. economictimes.indiatimes.com+4reuters.com+4linkedin.com+4
Read the full article The Champions of IPL 2025
Common Themes of Underdog Victories
What unites these famous upsets in sports history? Several common themes emerge:
- Belief and Heart: In each case, the underdog team or athlete believed in themselves. Team USA in 1980 had intense team spirit and coach Herb Brooks motivating them. Leicester City players worked with confidence and unity each match. Buster Douglas was fueled by personal motivation (he dedicated the fight to his late mother) and fought fearlessly. When underdogs expect the impossible, they sometimes make it happen.
- Underestimation of the Underdog: The favorites often underestimated their opponent. The Soviet team had hardly prepared for how hard the U.S. would play. Big Premier League clubs didn’t expect Leicester to outlast them. Tyson may have overlooked Douglas’s ability. This gave underdogs a psychological edge – the odds (betting numbers showing chance of winning) were against them, but they had the element of surprise.
- Key Moments and Mistakes: These upsets involved pivotal events. Eruzione’s goal and Craig’s save in hockey, Leicester’s goals in critical matches, and Douglas’s knockdowns all turned the tide. Conversely, the favored teams or athletes made uncharacteristic mistakes or failed to capitalize on chances. When the margin between teams is small, one key moment can swing the result.
- Resilience and Strategy: Underdogs often have nothing to lose and go all out. Coaches like Brooks (USA) and Ranieri (Leicester) used clever strategies to neutralize stronger opponents. They focused on teamwork, fitness, and smart tactics (e.g., defense-first hockey strategy, or Leicester’s counter-attacking soccer style).
- Cultural Impact: Each victory captured the public’s imagination. These wins were celebrated worldwide, inspiring future athletes. As fans tell the story, phrases like “Miracle on Ice” or “never say die” become part of sports lore. Underdog victories remind people that odds and predictions are not guarantees.
In conclusion, historic upsets in sports are memorable because they show that even when all expectations say “no,” determination and teamwork can say “yes.” These sports underdog stories – from the frozen rink in 1980 to the soccer pitch in 2016 to the boxing ring in 1990 – resonate across generations. They teach fans that in sports, as in life, surprises can happen and the impossible can become possible.
Sources:
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