Sports News of 2026-10-16
Dundee Beating Barca, 149 Own Goals: Football stats that sound fake but are actually true
Football history is filled with extraordinary records, bizarre scorelines, and statistics that seem impossible until the numbers are checked.
From a team that scored 149 own goals in one match to Liverpool losing just once in a Premier League season without winning the title, here are 10 football statistics that sound made up but are actually true.
1. Dundee United have beaten Barcelona in all four meetings
Dundee United have a perfect record against Barcelona in official UEFA competitions, winning all four encounters between the clubs.
2. Nottingham Forest have more European Cups than league titles
Forest won the European Cup in 1979 and 1980 but have claimed the English league title only once, in 1978.
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3. Liverpool lost once but still missed out on the title
Liverpool lost only one Premier League game in 2018/19, collected 97 points and still finished second behind Manchester City, who won the title with 98 points.
4. Italy's World Cup knockout defeat record stretches back decades
Italy's last defeat in a World Cup knockout match during regulation time came in 1986, when France beat them 2-0 in the round of 16.
5. A team deliberately scored 149 own goals
Madagascar's SO l'Emyrne lost 149-0 to AS Adema in 2002. The players deliberately scored own goals to protest a refereeing decision from an earlier match.
6. Mohamed Salah's unusual Manchester United statistic
Salah has received more yellow cards for celebrating goals against Manchester United at Anfield than United have scored there since he joined Liverpool.
7. Ronaldo Nazário never reached a Champions League final
Despite playing for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan, Brazilian legend Ronaldo never won the Champions League or appeared in its final.
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8. Everton's trophy drought dates back to 1995
Everton last won a major trophy in 1995, when they beat Manchester United 1-0 in the FA Cup final, with Paul Rideout scoring the winner.
9. Roy Makaay scored a Champions League goal in 10.12 seconds
Bayern Munich's Dutch striker scored against Real Madrid in March 2007 after just 10.12 seconds, setting the competition's fastest-goal record.
10. A goalkeeper scored 131 goals in his career
Brazilian goalkeeper Rogério Ceni became famous for his free-kick and penalty-taking ability. He scored more than 100 career goals despite playing as a goalkeeper, an extraordinary achievement in professional football.
FKA/AM
