Not even the badge could save them: ten teams that knocked giants out of the cup
Arsenal, Real Madrid, Bayern and Chivas also went out against lower-division opponents. One of these upsets came from the fifth tier.
A fifth-division club knocked out Lyon. A fourth-tier side came back against Arsenal when they were English champions. And Real Madrid suffered two of their most memorable blows against teams from the old Segunda B.
Cup competitions are full of clubs that bridged a huge gap in divisions to send the favorites home. These ten cases prove it; the division listed is the one they played in when they pulled off the upset.
Wrexham over Arsenal (1992)
The fourth-tier side beat the reigning English champions 2–1 in the FA Cup. The Gunners had taken the lead, but two late goals changed the story.
Bourgoin-Jallieu over Lyon (2025)
From National 3, France's fifth tier, they drew 2–2 and won 4–2 on penalties in the Coupe de France. Goalkeeper Ronan Jay saved the spot kicks of Alexandre Lacazette and Corentin Tolisso.
Alcorcón over Real Madrid (2009)
The famous "Alcorconazo" was born with a 4–0 win in the first leg of the Copa del Rey. The Segunda B side, then the third tier, lost 1–0 at the Bernabéu and advanced 4–1 on aggregate.
Alcoyano over Real Madrid (2021)
Also from Segunda B, they came from behind to win 2–1 in extra time in the Copa del Rey. The detail that made the upset even bigger: they scored the winner while already down to ten men.
MK Dons over Manchester United (2014)
A League One side, England's third tier, thrashed the Red Devils 4–0 in the League Cup. Will Grigg and Benik Afobe scored two goals each.
Bradford City over Chelsea (2015)
Trailing 2–0 at Stamford Bridge against José Mourinho's side, they ended up winning 4–2 in the FA Cup. Bradford were in League One, two tiers below their opponent.
Saarbrücken over Bayern Munich (2023)
The third-division club overturned Thomas Müller's opener and won 2–1 in the second round of the German Cup.
Calais over Bordeaux (2000)
This amateur fourth-tier team beat the French champions 3–1 in extra time in the Coupe de France semifinals. The feat took them all the way to the final.
Alverca over Sporting CP (2019)
The third-tier side won 2–0 in the Taça de Portugal. Sporting came in as defending champions and went out in the third round.
Dorados over Chivas (2020)
The Ascenso MX side, Mexico's second tier, knocked Guadalajara out in the Copa MX round of 16. After a 2–2 aggregate, they won 6–5 on penalties.
Four tiers separated Lyon from Bourgoin-Jallieu. In the end, it was the fifth-division side that advanced: the biggest gap in divisions among these ten upsets.
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