Teams That Overcame the Odds
Leicester City's Jamie Vardy scored 22 goals this season, helping the team to its first-ever English championship in the top division. The Foxes may be the most unlikely championship team ever. This gallery highlights some of the other notable "underdog" teams to have won big games or championships.
Japan's Kensuke Hatakeyama celebrates after his team's stunning victory over South Africa in a pool match in the Rugby World Cup in Brighton, England. Japan's 34-32 victory in September 2015 over the two-time world champion is arguably the biggest shock in rugby history.
Bangladesh's Mohammed Rafique celebrates beating Australia during their One Day Cricket Test at Sophia Gardens, Cardiff, Wales, Saturday June 18, 2005. The victory by Bangladesh is seen as one of the biggest upsets ever in cricket.
Boston Red Sox players celebrate after beating the St. Louis Cardinals 3-0 in Game 4 to sweep the World Series Wednesday, Oct. 27, 2004, in St. Louis. It was the first World Series championship for Boston since 1918.
Tennessee Titans wide receiver Kevin Dyson (87) tries but fails to get the ball into the end zone as he is tackled by St. Louis Rams' Mike Jones on the final play of Super Bowl XXXIV on Sunday, Jan. 30, 2000, in Atlanta. The Rams won 23-16. The year before, the Rams were one of the worst teams in the NFL.
Minnesota Twins Kirby Puckett celebrates his 11th inning homerun in Game 6 to tie the World Series against the Atlanta Braves in Minneapolis Oct. 26, 1991. Minnesota went on to win the championship in the next game.
Heavyweight boxer James "Buster" Douglas waves his gloved hand to the cheering crowd as he makes his way to the dressing room following a 10th round knockout victory over Mike Tyson in 1990. It was one of the biggest boxing upsets ever.
The U.S. hockey team pounces on goalie Jim Craig after a 4-3 victory against the Soviets in the 1980 Olympics, as a flag waves from the partisan Lake Placid, N.Y. crowd. The team from the Soviet Union was the dominant international team in the sport. The U.S. went on to win the Olympic gold medal by defeating Finland.
The New York Mets run onto the field to celebrate their World Series win over the Baltimore Orioles at Shea Stadium in New York, Oct. 16, 1969 as the fans cheer in the stands. The Mets were founded in 1962 and had been one of the worst teams in baseball until 1969.
U.S. center forward Joe Gaetjens is carried off by cheering fans after his team beat England 1-0 in the World Cup qualifier match at Belohorizonte, Brazil, June 28, 1950. Gaetjens scored the winning goal in the shock result of the tournament.