When it defeated hapless Chile 14-0 today in the second match of the penultimate day of pool matches, The Netherlands created record for posting largest victory in the 52-year history of the men’s World Cup. The previous record was 12-0 & 12-3.
So far, only two nations have crossed the 10-goal benchmark – Pakistan and Australia. The Netherlands joined the elite club today.
First team to post 10 or more goals in the annals of World Cup was Pakistan when it outwitted New Zealand 12-3 on 2nd January 1982 at Wankhede stadium, Mumbai.
Even today, this match stands for maximum goals in a match (15).
Australia matched the Pakistan record when it overwhelmed South Africa 12-0 on 4th March 2010 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, Delhi. This then stood for maximum margin of victory (12-0).
In the last World Cup here in Kalinga Stadium, Australia came close to equaling its Delhi record, but fell short of a goal (11-0 against China).
However, when The Netherlands led by Thierry Brinkmann struck five unanswered goals till halftime, this itself was a record for maximum half time score in the 17 matches held so far in the current edition.
In the end, Netherlands posted 14 goals to set up new record for both largest victory and margin. However, the 12-3 record of maximum goals in a match remain unbroken.
Congrats The Netherlands.
Note: Only four times did teams score more ten or more goals in the 51st year history of the World Cup.