Football has produced records, results and achievements that appear too unlikely to be genuine. Yet these 10 statistics are all facts, from Dundee United’s perfect record against Barcelona to a match in which one team deliberately scored 149 own goals.
1. Dundee United have beaten Barcelona in every meeting
Dundee United have won all four of their matches against Barcelona in official UEFA competitions, giving them a 100% record against the Spanish club.
2. Nottingham Forest have won more European Cups than league titles
Nottingham Forest lifted the European Cup in 1979 and 1980. However, they have won the English league title only once, in 1978.
3. Liverpool lost once and still finished second
Liverpool lost only one Premier League match during the 2018/19 season and ended the campaign with 97 points. That was still not enough to win the title, with Manchester City finishing first on 98 points.
4. Italy’s last World Cup knockout defeat in regulation time came in 1986
Italy have not lost a World Cup knockout match during regulation time since the 1986 tournament. Their most recent such defeat came in the round of 16, when France won 2-0.
5. One team scored 149 own goals in a single match
SO l’Emyrne were beaten 149-0 by AS Adema in Madagascar in 2002. The SO l’Emyrne players deliberately scored the own goals in protest against a refereeing decision made in an earlier match.
6. Mohamed Salah has a remarkable statistic against Manchester United
Since joining Liverpool, Mohamed Salah has received more yellow cards for celebrating goals against Manchester United at Anfield than United have scored at the stadium during that period.
7. Ronaldo Nazario never played in a Champions League final
Despite representing Barcelona, Real Madrid, Inter Milan and AC Milan, Brazilian forward Ronaldo Nazario never appeared in a Champions League final. He also never won the competition.
8. Everton’s last major trophy came in 1995
Everton’s most recent major honour was the 1995 FA Cup. They beat Manchester United 1-0 in the final, with Paul Rideout scoring the winning goal.
9. Roy Makaay scored the Champions League’s fastest goal
Bayern Munich striker Roy Makaay found the net against Real Madrid in March 2007 after only 10.12 seconds. The goal remains the fastest in Champions League history.
10. Rogerio Ceni scored 131 goals as a goalkeeper
Brazilian goalkeeper Rogerio Ceni became renowned for taking free-kicks and penalties during his career. He scored 131 goals, an extraordinary total for a player whose primary position was in goal.