GOAL takes a look at the ultimate FA Cup giant-killings…

The FA Cup holds the distinction of being the oldest national football tournament globally, with its inaugural edition dating back to 1871. This historic annual knockout competition is renowned for its unpredictable nature, offering lower-tier teams the rare chance to clash with English football's elite.

Famed for producing thrilling "giant-killings" and memorable upsets, the FA Cup captures the essence of the underdog spirit. It's a competition that unites clubs from every tier of the football pyramid, creating moments where minnows take on titans—and occasionally topple them. The allure of these "cupsets" forms an integral part of the tournament's mystique and the cultural fabric of English football.

For many fans, the beauty of the FA Cup lies in its raw unpredictability. Unlike seeded or bracketed tournaments, this competition has been played every year since 1871 with an open draw, leading to David-vs-Goliath matchups that become the stuff of legend. While European competitions can surprise with their results, those tournaments rarely feature underdogs in the knockout stages.

By contrast, the FA Cup regularly showcases clashes between clubs separated not only by leagues but also by financial and professional divides, such as the 2020 Third Round fixture where Tottenham Hotspur faced off against the semi-professional Marine FC.

This collection of the most iconic FA Cup upsets highlights the drama of football's great leveller. With one notable exception, these stories focus on smaller clubs achieving victory on home soil, where intimate grounds erupt with unparalleled joy.

GOAL takes a look at some of the most unforgettable FA Cup shocks in history.

Follow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱Hereford United 2-1 Newcastle United | FA Cup fourth-round replay | Feb. 5, 1972

The FA Cup's typical giant-killing story unfolded in classic fashion: a challenging pitch, grim weather, a non-league underdog hosting a top-tier powerhouse, and an electrified crowd witnessing an unforgettable strike etched into football folklore. This clash had it all.

Hereford United, representing the Southern League, had already defied the odds by earning a 2-2 draw at St. James' Park, forcing a replay against Newcastle United. Despite their heroic effort in the first leg, few believed they could go further. The Magpies struck first, yet Hereford leveled the score through a thunderous long-range effort by Ronnie Radford, a moment that remains one of the most celebrated goals in FA Cup history, sending the match into extra time.

The drama continued when substitute Ricky George stepped up to score the decisive goal, sealing a famous 2-1 victory for the Bulls and cementing their place in FA Cup folklore. The scenes at Edgar Street were unforgettable, with jubilant fans storming the pitch in celebration.

While Radford's iconic goal wasn't the match-winner, it sparked wild celebrations and captured the essence of FA Cup magic. Tragically, Radford passed away in November 2023, but his legacy as one of the competition's original heroes endures.

Interestingly, this replay faced several postponements due to a waterlogged pitch at Hereford's home ground, eventually taking place on the day scheduled for the fourth round, adding yet another layer of intrigue to an already extraordinary tale.

AdvertisementGetty Images SportBurnley 1-0 Liverpool | FA Cup third-round | Jan. 18, 2005

This list of unforgettable FA Cup moments wouldn't be complete without a nod to the heroic, breathtaking, and occasionally bizarre goals etched into its rich history. Among them is the decisive strike from Burnley’s clash with Liverpool at a frosty Turf Moor—an own goal by Djimi Traore that sealed the Championship side's upset victory.

The match marked former Reds manager Rafa Benitez's first experience in the competition during his debut season at Anfield. Opting to rest several key players, Benitez inadvertently handed Steve Cotterill's Burnley, a team languishing in the lower half of the Championship table, a golden opportunity.

The decisive moment came in the second half. A low cross from Richard Chaplow forced Traore into a moment of calamity. Attempting an audacious 360-degree drag-back near the far post, the French defender misjudged it entirely, inadvertently bundling the ball into his own net before ending up tangled in the goal's netting.

Ironically, this humbling FA Cup exit came just months before Liverpool capped the 2004-05 season with one of the most remarkable comebacks in football history, defeating AC Milan in Istanbul to claim the Champions League crown. What a dramatic shift in fortunes.

Hulton ArchiveWrexham 2-1 Arsenal | FA Cup third-round | Jan. 4, 1992

The gulf between Wrexham and Arsenal was enormous—an astonishing 81 league places separated the two sides as they met at the Racecourse Ground. The Red Dragons, struggling in 18th place in the Fourth Division, squared off against the reigning First Division champions, Arsenal, who were sitting seventh in the top tier. On paper, it seemed like a straightforward assignment for George Graham's Gunners.

Initially, everything appeared to be going as expected. Alan Smith put Arsenal ahead before halftime, and with just 10 minutes left, it seemed the Welsh underdogs were set to bow out respectably. However, Wrexham had other plans, and their determination soon turned the game into a classic chapter in FA Cup folklore.

In the 82nd minute, Mickey Thomas, a 37-year-old veteran, unleashed a sensational 25-yard free-kick to level the scores. The strike not only brought the game to life but also secured Thomas' place in FA Cup history. With momentum firmly in their favor, Wrexham piled on the pressure, and just two minutes later, Steve Watkin delivered the decisive blow, bundling home the winner.

As the final whistle blew, jubilant fans stormed the pitch, celebrating one of the most memorable "giant killings" the competition has ever seen. This unforgettable upset is yet another reminder of the enduring magic of the FA Cup.

Hulton ArchiveSunderland 1-0 Leeds United | FA Cup final | May 5, 1973

In one of the most stunning upsets in FA Cup history, the Black Cats pulled off a 1–0 triumph, becoming the first Second Division team to hoist the trophy since West Bromwich Albion achieved the feat in 1931. This victory marked Sunderland's last major Cup success for nearly half a century until their EFL Trophy win in 2021. As of 2024, it remains their most recent domestic silverware.

At the time, Sunderland were competing in the old Division Two and faced a formidable Leeds United side, who were dominating English football’s top tier, in the final of the 1972-73 FA Cup. Refusing to be intimidated by their high-flying opponents, the Black Cats produced one of the tournament's most iconic upsets.

Ian Porterfield etched his name into Sunderland folklore with a first-half strike that proved decisive, while goalkeeper Jim Montgomery delivered a breathtaking performance. His incredible reflex save remains one of the most celebrated moments in FA Cup history, ensuring Bob Stokoe's team held on for a historic victory at Wembley.