Six of the Biggest Domestic Cup Upsets in Recent History: European Edition 

In European football, domestic cup competitions often produce unexpected outcomes.

Over the past two decades, several remarkable upsets have occurred across the continent, highlighting instances where smaller clubs have triumphed over their more established and financially powerful counterparts. This article will give you six instances where lesser-known teams frequently rise to challenge their countries’ powerhouses.

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Real Union 3-2 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey, 2008)

In the 2008 Copa del Rey, Segunda División B side Real Union pulled off a stunning upset by knocking out La Liga giants Real Madrid in the Round of 32. After winning the first leg 3-2, Real Union managed to hold Madrid to a 4-3 loss in the second leg at the Santiago Bernabéu, advancing on away goals. This remarkable victory shocked Spanish football, as the third-tier team eliminated the nine-time European champions.

Alcorcón 4-0 Real Madrid (Copa del Rey, 2009) 

In one of the most humiliating defeats in Real Madrid’s history, third-tier Alcorcón crushed them 4-0 in the first leg of the 2009 Copa del Rey Round of 32. Madrid fielded a team of stars but were completely outplayed by the lower-league side. The “Alcorconazo” stunned Spanish football and, despite a 1-0 win in the return leg, Madrid were knocked out 4-1 on aggregate, marking one of their darkest moments in the competition.

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Avellino 2-0 Juventus (Coppa Italia, 2011)

Serie B side Avellino shocked Juventus in the Round of 16 of the 2011 Coppa Italia. Avellino, battling relegation in the second tier, stunned the Italian giants with a 2-0 victory at home, with goals from Gianmarco Zigoni and Luigi Castaldo. Juventus, who had fielded a strong team, were left embarrassed by the defeat, which highlighted Avellino’s fighting spirit and tactical discipline against one of Europe’s top clubs.

Le Mans 1-0 Lyon (Coupe de France, 2010)

Ligue 2 side Le Mans pulled off a stunning upset by defeating reigning French champions Lyon 1-0 in the Round of 32 of the 2010 Coupe de France. A late goal from Anthony Le Tallec sealed the victory for Le Mans, sending the heavily favoured Lyon out of the competition. This shock result highlighted the unpredictability of cup football and provided a rare moment of glory for the underdog.

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KV Mechelen 2-1 Anderlecht (Belgian Cup, 2019)

In the 2018-2019 Belgian Cup quarterfinals, second-tier KV Mechelen stunned top-flight giants Anderlecht with a 2-1 victory. Despite being underdogs, Mechelen took the lead through Nikola Storm, and then Gustav Engvall doubled their advantage. Anderlecht managed to pull one back late in the game, but Mechelen held on for a famous win. This upset was particularly significant as Mechelen were on a remarkable cup run that eventually saw them win the Belgian Cup, completing their resurgence after years of financial disarray. 

Holstein Kiel 6-5 Bayern Munich on Penalties (DFB-Pokal, 2021)

In the 2021 DFB-Pokal, 2. Bundesliga side Holstein Kiel pulled off a stunning upset by eliminating Bayern Munich, the reigning European champions. After a 2-2 draw in regular and extra time, with Kiel scoring a dramatic last-minute equalizer, the match went to penalties. Holstein Kiel held their nerve, winning the shootout 6-5. This shock defeat sent waves through German football, marking the first time in over 20 years that Bayern Munich had been knocked out so early in the competition.

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