The 16 Biggest Football Underdogs of 2025 That Shocked the World

We do not want to start this text with the worn-out phrase that football is full of surprises, but one thing is certain: there was no shortage of surprises  in the world’s most popular sport in 2025. And for sports betting fans, it is always worth knowing the stories of the beautiful game.

If you are an animal enthusiast, you may know that there are four species of zebras: the Plains zebra, the Mountain zebra, the Grevy’s zebra (which is endangered), and the Sports zebra. Just kidding. The last one is a common expression in Brazil (translated as underdog in English-speaking countries and desvalido in Spanish-speaking regions) and refers to teams that surprise everyone by defeating opponents against all odds.

Paraphrasing Renato Paiva, then head coach of Botafogo: the football graveyard is full of favorites. We are not saying that Botafogo’s 1–0 victory over PSG at the FIFA Club World Cup qualifies as an underdog win, although the French side’s favoritism was clear.

And since we are in a retrospective mood, we decided to take stock of the 16 biggest football underdogs of 2025. This is not a ranking, so we invite you to learn about each story and decide for yourself which was the biggest surprise of the year. Deal?

Mirassol (Brazilian Championship)

Before the 2025 Brazilian Championship began, many considered Mirassol a strong relegation candidate. After all, the Lions were set to play in the top division for the first time in their centenary year. However, those who believed in the team from the interior of São Paulo ended the season with a huge smile on their faces.

Runners-up in the 2024 Série B, the club started the year under Eduardo Barroca and changed coaches shortly before being eliminated in the quarterfinals of the São Paulo State Championship. For the Brasileirão, head coach Rafael Guanaes surprised everyone and delivered a solid campaign, finishing in fourth place with 52 points, breaking the record set by Grêmio Barueri, who earned 49 points and finished 11th in the 2009 season.

There were 18 wins, 13 draws, and only seven losses, which resulted in the club’s longest unbeaten home run: 19 matches. In addition, Mirassol qualified for the Libertadores group stage and became the third debutant in the top flight to reach a CONMEBOL tournament. Barueri and Cuiabá had previously qualified for the Copa Sudamericana in their first seasons in the elite.

Barra FC (Série D)

Now it is time to talk about the youngest club among the 2025 underdogs: Barra FC, founded in January 2013. Based in Balneário Camboriú, the Pescador had already won the second and third divisions of the Santa Catarina State Championship in 2015 and 2021 and claimed their first national title this year: the Série D.

After becoming a SAF, traditional club Santa Cruz invested heavily and brought in names such as striker Thiago Galhardo. The Coral Snake were favorites in the final, but no one told the visitors. The result? A 2–1 win in the first leg, with goals by Elvinho and Bernabé silencing 45,000 fans at Arena Pernambuco.

In the return leg, a scoreless draw saw Barra FC lift Santa Catarina’s eighth national title, equaling Brusque’s achievement in 2019. In 2026, the club will compete in Série C, dreaming of securing a third title for a Santa Catarina side in the competition. Avaí and Joinville won it in 1998 and 2011. Who knows, they might even match Criciúma’s feat in the 1991 Copa do Brasil, still the region’s greatest football achievement.

Operário Ferroviário (Paraná State Championship)

The Paraná State Championship is dominated by the Atletiba duo, who have won 67 editions of the tournament, with 39 titles for Coritiba and 28 for Athletico Paranaense. Although the Curitiba clubs always start as favorites, 2025 saw a different champion: Operário Ferroviário, who claimed their second title after ten years. Do not confuse them with Operário, the capital-based team that won eight titles and was dissolved in 1971.

Relegated in the Brazilian Championship, Athletico Paranaense were knocked out in the semifinals, while Coritiba fell in the first phase. This marked the second final without the traditional duo in the past five years, after Londrina defeated Cascavel in 2021.

As a result, the team from Ponta Grossa reached the final against Maringá and celebrated at Germano Krüger Stadium to the delight of 10,000 fans. Coming off a solid seventh-place finish in Série B, achieved under Rafael Guanaes, already mentioned on this list, the Ghost prevailed on penalties by 5–4.

Barracas Central (Argentine Championship)

The Copa Sudamericana will feature a debutant from Buenos Aires, the capital of Argentina: the modest Barracas Central will play an international tournament for the first time. El Guapo delivered a solid campaign in both the Apertura and Clausura, finishing seventh and sixth respectively, and stamped their passport to the competition.

The Claudio Chiqui Tapia Stadium has a capacity of just 2,700 spectators and yes, it is named after the current president of the AFA. There, the team that finished as Argentine runners-up in 1932 will try to surprise South America.

Their most recent title was a third-division three-peat in 2018/19. Managed by Rubén Insúa since 2024, Barracas have a squad valued at €20.65 million according to Transfermarkt, including striker Facundo Bruera, who recently graduated in law and is the only player in the league with a university degree.

Deportivo Riestra (Argentine Championship)

Talking about the Argentine teams qualified for CONMEBOL tournaments in 2026 is like becoming a taxidermist of underdogs. Another debutant in the Copa Sudamericana is Deportivo Riestra, also from Buenos Aires and with 94 years of history.

Playing at the Guillermo Laza Stadium, which holds 3,000 fans, the Black and White side surprised with a third-place finish in the Apertura and kept the momentum going with fifth place in the Clausura. All of this with a squad valued by Transfermarkt at just €9.05 million.

Hired in February 2025, head coach Gustavo Benítez is only 39 years old and led the team to the Round of 16 of the Copa Argentina. Despite losing 3–0 to Racing, it was the best campaign in the club’s history in the competition. Now the question is whether 2026 will bring glory at a higher level than the fourth division, which they won twice, in 1953 and 2013/14.

Independiente Rivadavia (Copa Argentina)

It was a surprising year in the land of Diego Maradona, and the supreme striped horse of 2025 has a name: Independiente Rivadavia, champions of the Copa Argentina for the first time in their 112-year history. Los Caudillos del Parque defeated Argentinos Juniors 5–3 on penalties after a 2–2 draw in regular time.

And it was not just this result that shocked everyone, as Alfredo Berti’s side also eliminated mighty River Plate in the semifinals, winning 4–3 on penalties after a goalless draw. Riding the momentum of the knockout rounds, the Mendoza-based club finished the Clausura in sixth place and excited their supporters.

With a capacity of 24,000 spectators, the Bautista Gargantini Stadium will host Libertadores matches. Yes, Rivadavia will make their debut in the continent’s top competition in 2026. Not bad for a team that won the second division in 2023 and now dreams of establishing itself in the elite.

Coquimbo Unido (Chilean Championship)

If you have already taken a look at the list of teams qualified for the 2026 Libertadores, you probably noticed a curious crest featuring a pirate. That club is Coquimbo Unido, who will play South America’s biggest tournament for the second time in their history, having previously appeared in 1992 and been eliminated in the group stage.

Founded 67 years ago in the city of the same name, located 462 kilometers from Santiago in the Elqui province, the Pirates have finished as runners-up in the Chilean Championship twice, in 1991 and 1996. Four-time champions of the second division, Coquimbo Unido finally claimed their first top-flight title by defeating La Calera 2–0.

Coached by Miguel Pinto, the team broke the dominance of clubs from the capital in Chile’s main competition. They earned 75 points, with 23 wins, six draws, and just one loss, finishing 17 points ahead of runners-up Universidad de Chile. Unsurprisingly, the fans’ celebrations were epic and even featured pirate ships outside the Francisco Rumoroso Stadium.

Montevideo City Torque (Uruguayan Championship)

Yes, the City Group keeps growing. Club Atlético Torque was founded in 2007 without much sporting prominence, but became a “sibling” of Manchester City in 2017 and began to reap the benefits of the partnership.

Montevideo City Torque struggled in the Apertura and finished in tenth place, but changed coaches and saw Marcelo Méndez lead the team to third place in the Clausura. As a result, the club returns to a CONMEBOL tournament for the third time and will compete in the 2026 Copa Sudamericana.

Three-time champions of the second division in 2017, 2019, and 2024, the Montevideo side will play in the playoff for the group stage of the continental competition. If they advance, they will be one of the first underdogs of 2026, although they will first need to get revenge on Defensor, who defeated them in the 2023 Copa Uruguay final.

Recoleta (Paraguayan Championship)

Founded in 1931, Recoleta spent 22 years away from the top division of the Paraguayan Championship, even though the elite had never gone that long without Los Canarios. The Asunción-based team finished seventh in the Apertura and sixth in the Clausura, earning an unprecedented qualification for the Copa Sudamericana.

With Jorge González in charge since 2024, Recoleta saw top scorer Alejandro Silva lead the underdog story to the tournament with 11 goals and six assists. Beginning their continental journey, the team will face Nacional in the tournament playoffs and, who knows, may start to surprise the world.

Universidad Central (Venezuelan Championship and Copa Venezuela)

Corinthians were eliminated in the Libertadores preliminary rounds by Barcelona de Guayaquil, but Brazilian fans almost missed the chance to see the stylish Segundo Castillo managing the Ecuadorians in his elegant tuxedo. In the previous tie, Corinthians nearly needed penalties to eliminate Universidad Central from Venezuela, as Yuri Alberto scored the decisive goal in stoppage time of the second leg.

So why are we talking about La Central? The Caracas-based club won the Venezuelan Championship for the second time and ended a 68-year drought without lifting the trophy, last won in 1957.

And who said the glory stopped there? Universidad Central also reached the final of the Copa Venezuela, facing Carabobo. After two goalless draws, La U prevailed 4–3 on penalties, and it can be said that 2025 was one of the greatest years in the club’s history, if not the greatest.

Mushuc Runa (Copa Sudamericana)

Among the youngest clubs on the list, Mushuc Runa is just 22 years old. Based in the city of Ambato, in central Ecuador, El Ponchito has a history closely linked to the country’s Indigenous peoples and surprised everyone in the Copa Sudamericana.

A semifinalist in the Copa Ecuador in 2024, the club topped Group E of the continental competition with five wins and one draw, eliminating favorites Cruzeiro in the group stage. By collecting 16 points and finishing seven ahead of the second-placed team, Mushuc Runa qualified directly for the round of 16.

This fairy tale, however, did not gain further chapters. Independiente del Valle eliminated their local rivals at the Cooperativa de Ahorro y Crédito Mushuc Runa Stadium. It took penalties, it is true, but they advanced and sent their opponents back to the instability of domestic competition.

Crystal Palace (FA Cup)

Founded in 1905, Crystal Palace had never won a major trophy before the arrival of head coach Oliver Glasner, who came in to replace Englishman Roy Hodgson midway through the 2023/24 Premier League season. Under the Austrian’s command, the Eagles won six of their last seven matches of the year and placed four players in the England national team for Euro 2024.

At the start of the following season, Selhurst Park witnessed a poor run of form, with the team even flirting with the relegation zone. Was Palace returning to being a bottom-half side? Not at all: Glasner led the club to the first major title in its history by defeating Manchester City 1–0 in the FA Cup final, with a goal from midfielder Eberechi Eze.

In addition, the team won the Community Shield against Liverpool at Wembley. After a 2–2 draw, Palace prevailed on penalties and became the first debutant in the charity match to lift the trophy since Derby County in 1975. Competing in the Conference League, the club is also aiming to stabilize itself in the upper half of the table, and has every chance of doing so.

Newcastle (EFL Cup)

Some may disagree with Newcastle’s inclusion on this list. After all, the Magpies stopped being a lower-table side after being purchased by the Saudi Public Investment Fund for £300 million in 2021.

However, the club had gone 70 years without a top-flight title before the year began, not counting second-division triumphs in 1964/65, 1992/93, 2009/10 and 2016/17. For that reason alone, the traditional northern English club earns a spot here, as it was inevitable that the excellent work of head coach Eddie Howe would eventually bear fruit.

Newcastle conceded just one goal throughout the 2024/25 EFL Cup, eliminating Chelsea, Brentford and Arsenal before facing Liverpool at Wembley. Despite the Reds’ favoritism and their Premier League title, Newcastle won 2–1 and claimed their first-ever trophy in the competition, with a goal from striker Alexander Isak, now playing for the opponent.

Bologna (Coppa Italia)

This is another potentially controversial inclusion, as Bologna began last season having qualified for the Champions League for the first time in 60 years. Even so, the Rossoblù lost head coach Thiago Motta to Juventus, and his replacement Vincenzo Italiano struggled in European competition, exiting in the league phase.

Like Newcastle, Bologna appears on this list for ending a long-standing drought of 51 years without a top-tier trophy, winning their third Coppa Italia title. The Emilia-Romagna side began the campaign with a 4–0 rout of Monza and defeated Atalanta 4–1 in the quarterfinals, yes, the reigning Europa League champions.

Beating Empoli comfortably 3–0 was not exactly surprising, but the 1–0 victory over Milan in the final certainly was. Despite a disappointing league campaign that ended in eighth place in Serie A, Milan are five-time Coppa Italia winners and carry a tradition that makes them one of the most feared teams in the country.

Go Ahead Eagles (KNVB Cup)

Based in the city of Deventer, the Netherlands, Go Ahead Eagles truly lived up to their name in 2024/25. Puns aside, the team from De Adelaarshorst Stadium won its first major professional top-flight title.

After reaching the KNVB Cup final, Paul Simonis’ side was seen as the underdog against AZ Alkmaar. And if they are being mentioned here, you can already guess what happened: after a draw in regular time, they prevailed 4–2 on penalties and ended a 92-year drought without elite-level titles, having last won the second division in 1958/59.

Coached by a first-time manager, Go Ahead Eagles had won the Dutch league four times in the early 20th century, back when football in the Netherlands was amateur. After professionalism began in 1954, the club struggled to find similar success. Finishing seventh in the Eredivisie, the team lost its manager to Wolfsburg and had an unstable start to the 2025/26 season, which does not erase the glory of the first half of the year.

Bodø/Glimt (Europa League)

Winners of four of the last six Norwegian league titles, Bodø/Glimt drew attention in UEFA competitions during 2025, even without counting the Conference League, a tournament with less high-profile teams that saw the Nordland side reach the quarterfinals in 2021/22.

The Superlaget played their second Europa League campaign in 2024/25 and performed far better than their group-stage exit in 2022/23. Surprising teams such as Twente, Molde and tournament favorite Lazio, the Norwegians finished among the competition’s top four, with Aspmyra Stadion and its 8,000-seat capacity becoming a true fortress.

The team that managed to stop Bodø/Glimt was Tottenham, who won 5–1 on aggregate and reached the final, where they defeated Manchester United 1–0 to lift the trophy. The Norwegians, meanwhile, continued their upward trajectory and finally reached the Champions League by eliminating Sturm Graz in the playoffs, winning 6–2 on aggregate.

Enjoy Football on Blaze!

Which of these results was the biggest upset of the year? Regardless of your choice, surprises have existed since the birth of football, and 2026 may bring even more, or not. We will only know by watching the matches.

You can already start planning to follow next year’s tournaments or enjoy matches from competitions that will not stop for the end-of-year holidays. Either way, remember to bring responsibility into your experience, bearing in mind that football betting is permitted under MESP Ordinance No. 125 of December 30, 2024.

Always remember to set limits and maintain a controlled experience, never using money that could be needed to meet life’s responsibilities. Study data, statistics and rules, and always plan for something that is inherently unpredictable. Read our Sports Betting Encyclopedia for more tips to help you prepare.

Ready to watch the underdog parade? Visit Blaze’s Football Betting page and good luck.