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Sporting Witness: International football's biggest ever beating

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International football's biggest ever beating

24/02/2024 GMT

BBC World Service - Sporting Witness, International football's biggest ever beating

How American Samoa were beaten 31-0 by Australia in the 2002 World Cup qualifiers

In April 2001, American Samoa took on Australia in the World Cup qualifiers and lost 31-0. It's the world record for the biggest defeat in international football.

In April 2001, the small island nation of American Samoa took on Australia in the World Cup qualifiers. You could only play for the team if you held an American passport, which automatically ruled out the majority of the American Samoans, leaving them to resorting to picking schoolboys to play for them. 

What followed was the biggest defeat in international football – 31-0. 

Uma Doraiswamy speaks to goalkeeper Nicky Salapu about how he felt as the 31 goals the goals flew in past him.

(Photo: Nicky Salapu in goal for American Samoa against Australia in 2001. Credit: Darren England/Allsport Getty Images)

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