10 underdog wins in football that defined 2025
In 2025, football's underdogs rose to prominence amidst the struggles of giants. Grimsby Town shocked Manchester United in the Carabao Cup, while Go Ahead Eagles ended a 93-year trophy drought too.
Last Updated: 11.38 PM, Dec 24, 2025
In a year when football's giants stumbled under fixture pile-ups, injuries to superstars, and tactical evolutions, 2025 became the ultimate stage for underdogs to roar. From Premier League minnows humbling European giants to some winning first trophies in nearly a century, these shocks weren't flukes; they reshaped leagues, ignited fan revolutions, and proved that heart, hustle, and smart coaching can topple any empire. Relive the 10 triumphs that captured the beautiful game's chaotic soul and etched themselves into 2025's lore.
10. Grimsby Town shocked Manchester United in the Carabao Cup (September 2025)
League Two's Grimsby Town, perennial underdogs, held Manchester United to a pulsating 2-2 draw at Blundell Park before triumphing 12-11 in a record-breaking penalty shootout.
Danny Rose's 89th-minute equaliser forced extras, where Grimsby's keeper Darren Sammons saved Bryan Mbeumos' decisive spot-kick after 22 penalties.
This was United's earliest cup exit since 1987, while Grimsby reached the quarters, their deepest run since 1939.
The Marin ers' grit went viral, inspiring lower-tier clubs and earning Reynolds-level Hollywood buzz.
9. Go Ahead Eagles ended a 93-year trophy drought with the KNVB Beker glory (May 2025)
Dutch Eredivisie mid-table side Go Ahead Eagles shattered a 93-year wait for major silverware, defeating AZ 4-2 in the penalties at De Kuip in Rotterdam.
Troy Parrott's goal gave AZ the lead, but a 90+9-minute penalty from Mats Deijl took the game to extra time and eventually to the penalties.
Go Ahead Eagles finally won the final by winning the penalties 4-2 and qualified for the UEFA Europa League 2025-26 season.
8. VfB Stuttgart claimed its first trophy in 18 years via DFB-Pokal Triumph (May 2025)
Bundesliga runners-up VfB Stuttgart ended an 18-year silverware famine by edging Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in the final.
Enzo Millot scored a brace, while Nick Woltemade and Deniz Undav scored the other two goals as they won their fourth DFB-Pokal title in their history and secured a place in the 2025-26 UEFA Europa League.
7. Aberdeen FC snapped a 35-year Scottish Cup drought (May 2025)
Aberdeen Football Club banished 35 years of heartbreak, beating Celtic 2-0 in the Scottish Cup final at Hampden Park.
One own goal each for both teams took the game to extra time, and heroics from Aberdeen FC goalkeeper Dimitar Mitov handed Aberdeen FC their first Scottish Cup after 35 years.
The Dons' organised defence frustrated Celtic's attack, echoing their 1990 triumph. This first major trophy since then reignited Pittodrie fervour, boosted Scottish football's competitiveness, and positioned Aberdeen as a Premiership challenger.
6. Crystal Palace won first-ever major trophy, toppling Man City in the FA Cup Final (May 2025)
In their 119-year history, Crystal Palace claimed maiden silverware, defeating Manchester City 1-0 in the FA Cup final at Wembley.
Eberechi Eze's curling 16th-minute free-kick stunned Pep Guardiola's treble-chasers, with Palace's low block frustrating Haaland.
Under Oliver Glasner's tactics, they ended City's winning run. This win transformed Palace from nearly-men to legends, enhancing South London's football identity.
5. Bologna's 51-year-long wait ended with Coppa Italia win (May 2025)
Serie A's surprise package, Bologna, secured their first major trophy in 51 years, overcoming AC Milan by 1-0 in the Coppa Italia final.
Swiss star Dan Ndoye scored in the 53rd minute of the final match held at Rome Stadio Olimpico. This win made Bologna win their first major piece of silverware since their previous Italian Cup win in 1974.
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4. Tottenham Hotspur lifted the Europa League, ending a 17-year drought (May 2025)
Pepe Sars' whipped cross was deflected off Manchester United's Luke Shaw as Brennan Johnson scored in the 42nd minute of the Europa League final 2024-25 to hand Tottenham Hotspur their first trophy in 17 years and their first continental silverware since the 1983-84 season.
Miki van de Ven pulled off a spectacular goal clearance in the dying minutes of the match to help the English club win one of the biggest trophies of recent years.
3. Arsenal Women conquer UWCL (May 2025)
Arsenal Women stunned the continent, winning the UEFA Women's Champions League with a 1-0 final victory over Barcelona, becoming two-time European champions.
Arsenal forward Stina Blackstenius struck a late winner, shocking the entire European women's football as they won over one of the strongest football teams in the history of women's football, FC Barcelona.
Read also: 10 iconic football moments in 2025
2. Newcastle United ends 70-year trophy wait in Carabao Cup final (March 2025)
Newcastle United shattered a 70-year major silverware drought, edging Liverpool 2-1 in the Carabao Cup final at Wembley.
Dan Burn scored at the stroke of half-time, while Alexander Isak hit the back of the net in the 52nd minute of the match to hand Newcastle a 2-0 lead. However, it was Federico Chiesa's late goal that gave Liverpool a glimmer of hope, but they could not stop Newcastle from winning the title.
This first trophy since 1955 transformed Tyneside into a party zone, validated PSR navigation, and positioned Newcastle as Premier League elites.
1. Botafogo's 1-0 win over Paris Saint-Germain during the FIFA Club World Cup
South American champion and Brazilian club Botafogo stunned European champion Paris Saint-Germain by a 1-0 win in the FIFA World Cup Group stage to create a major surprise in the football world.
A first-half goal from Brazilian international Igor Jesus helped the Brazilian club make a statement by frustrating the biggest club in European football.