Dominance On Full Display

Sometimes sports don’t deliver drama—they deliver lopsided results that feel more like practice drills than real contests. Blowouts happen when one team or athlete completely overwhelms the other. The results can be awkward, funny, or downright painful to watch, depending on which side you were rooting for. So, here’s a rundown of 20 of the biggest blowouts in sports history, where the margin was historic.

Tim Shelby on Wikimedia

1. Georgia Tech Vs. Cumberland (1916 College Football)

In a display of complete offensive futility, Cumberland College failed to achieve even a single first down against Georgia Tech. Under coach John Heisman's direction, Georgia Tech methodically amassed 222 points over the abbreviated 45-minute contest.

MisterCake on Wikimedia

2. Adelaide Crows Vs. Brisbane Bears (1991 AFL)

The AFL’s bold expansion into South Australia reached a milestone in 1991 when the Adelaide Crows played their first league match against the Brisbane Bears. Instead of succumbing to debut nerves, the newcomers stunned fans by dismantling Brisbane in a one-sided rout of 156-90.

1991 AFL Season - Round 14 - Adelaide Crows v Brisbane Bears by crowtricolours

3. As Adema Vs. So L’emyrne (2002 Madagascar Soccer League)

When a referee's controversial call ruffled feathers in Madagascar's soccer league, SO l'Emyrne's response raised eyebrows in the sports justice system. Their protest of repeatedly scoring their own goals (149 to be exact) earned the protesting team's coach and players disciplinary suspensions from the league.

AS Adema 149–0 SO l'Emyrne by Sports Slow Motion

4. Chicago Bears Vs. Washington Redskins (1940 NFL Championship)

At Washington’s Griffith Stadium, a highly anticipated NFL Championship clash turned into a tactical masterclass. The Chicago Bears revealed their T-formation offense and utterly dismantled the Washington Redskins. The result was an unprecedented 73-0 thrashing.

1940 NFL Championship - Bears vs Redskins by BearDowns

5. Indiana Pacers Vs. Portland Trail Blazers (1998 NBA Regular Season)

The Indiana Pacers shattered NBA records in 1998 when they demolished the Portland Trail Blazers in a historic regular-season matchup, setting a new benchmark for the largest margin of victory. Their final score of 124-59 represented a 65-point differential.

One of NBA largest blowouts of all-time (2/27/98) by slam40dunk

6. Papua New Guinea Vs. Australia (2000 Rugby League World Cup)

One of the most lopsided results in Rugby League World Cup history came in 2000, when Australia demolished Papua New Guinea 82–0. At Townsville’s Dairy Farmers Stadium, the Australians delivered a clinical masterclass, piling on fifteen tries.

paddynapper on Wikimedia

7. Manchester United Vs. Ipswich Town (1995 Premier League)

Andy Cole delivered the performance of a lifetime at Old Trafford in 1995, netting an incredible five goals as Manchester United steamrolled Ipswich Town. His clinical finishing spearheaded what would become a historic 9-0 demolition.

Manchester United 9-0 Ipswich Town (94/95) | Premier League Classics | Manchester United by Manchester United

8. Australia Vs. American Samoa (2001 FIFA World Cup Qualifier)

A scarcely believable 31-0 scoreline unfolded when Australia met American Samoa in a 2001 World Cup qualifier. The mismatch set a world record, highlighted by Archie Thompson’s astonishing 13-goal haul. Hampered by eligibility issues, American Samoa endured football’s most infamous rout.

Australia vs American Samoa 31-0 ▷ Australia's biggest win in football by Football Vibes

9. USA Women Vs. Thailand (2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup)

The United States Women’s National Team’s 13–0 demolition of Thailand in 2019 set a record for the largest margin of victory in FIFA Women’s World Cup history. Played in Reims, France, the match was defined by Alex Morgan’s clinical performance, as she scored five goals in a commanding display.

USA v Thailand | FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019 | Match Highlights by FIFA

10. Boston Red Sox Vs. St. Louis Browns (1950 MLB Regular Season)

Fenway Park witnessed one of baseball’s wildest offensive eruptions in 1950, when the Boston Red Sox dismantled the St. Louis Browns. During this season, the Sox piled up 29 runs to 4, with every starter scoring multiple times.

Boston Red Sox vs. St. Louis Cardinals at Fenway Park, 1950s | Vintage 8mm Home Movie by Twin Lights Archive

11. Germany Vs. Brazil (2014 FIFA World Cup Semifinal)

What began as an ordinary night at Brazil’s Estádio Mineirão spiraled into one of football’s greatest shocks. Germany struck five times within 29 minutes. Lastly, a relentless attack ended 7-1, delivering Brazil its heaviest World Cup defeat in history.

Marcello Casal Jr/Agência Brasil on Wikimedia

12. Denver Broncos Vs. San Francisco 49ers (Super Bowl XXIV, 1990)

Super Bowl XXIV turned into the most one-sided title game ever, as San Francisco dismantled Denver 55-10 inside New Orleans’ Louisiana Superdome. Plus, Joe Montana orchestrated the rout with surgical precision, earning his third Super Bowl MVP award.

Super Bowl XXIV: 49ers vs. Broncos | NFL by NFL

13. Oklahoma City Thunder Vs. Memphis Grizzlies (2021 NBA Regular Season)

Throughout NBA history, teams had witnessed their share of one-sided affairs. But nothing could compare to what unfolded in 2021 when the Memphis Grizzlies rewrote the record books against the Oklahoma City Thunder. Memphis crushed Oklahoma City 152-79, establishing a new NBA benchmark.

Oklahoma City Thunder vs Memphis Grizzlies - Full Game Highlights | December 20, 2021 NBA Season by The CCB Network

14. England Vs. Tonga (1999 Rugby World Cup)

When emerging rugby nation Tonga faced established powerhouse England in the 1999 Rugby World Cup, few anticipated the sheer scale of disparity that would unfold at Twickenham Stadium. The London encounter even culminated in a 101-10 victory for England.

1999 RWC - England vs Tonga by Wizzo

15. USA Vs. Nigeria (2012 Olympic Basketball)

Nigeria's Olympic basketball journey quickly converted from ambitious hopes to sobering reality when they encountered Team USA's unstoppable offensive clinic. Carmelo Anthony's mind-bending 37 points in just 14 minutes propelled the Americans to a 156-73 victory.

USA v Nigeria - USA Break Olympic Points Record - Men's Basketball Group A | London 2012 Olympics by Olympics

16. Montreal Canadiens Vs. Quebec Bulldogs (1919 NHL Regular Season)

The early National Hockey League era was characterized by frequent high-scoring affairs. Perhaps no game better exemplified this offensive-minded period than the 1919 regular season contest where the Montreal Canadiens, overwhelmed the Quebec Bulldogs en route to a historic 16-3 victory.

Unknown authorUnknown author on Wikimedia

17. Texas Rangers Vs. Baltimore Orioles (2007 MLB Regular Season)

Baseball games rarely veer into historic territory, yet the 2007 clash between Texas and Baltimore did just that. Rangers hitters erupted for a 30-3 triumph. This win was powered by twin home runs from Jarrod Saltalamacchia and Ramón Vázquez.

30 RUNS in ONE game! Rangers vs. Orioles (8/22/07) | Classic Games by MLB Vault

18. New Zealand All Blacks Vs. Japan (1995 Rugby World Cup)

Bloemfontein hosted a Rugby World Cup clash in 1995 that spiraled into a record-breaking spectacle. New Zealand overwhelmed Japan 145-17, setting a tournament scoring mark. Plus, Marc Ellis added to the historic rout with six tries of his own.

Highest Scoring Test Match Ever! New Zealand 145 Vs 17 Japan Rugby World Cup 1995 by Rugby Jubbly

19. Chicago Bulls Vs. Miami Heat (1992 NBA Playoffs)

A 45-point thrashing of Miami in the 1992 playoffs underscored Chicago’s complete control of the era. The Bulls rolled to a 119-74 victory, one of the most lopsided postseason wins ever, a statement that foreshadowed their march toward that season’s championship crown.

NBA Playoffs 1992. Miami Heat vs Chicago Bulls Game 3 Jordan 56 PTS - Game Highlights HD 720p/60fps by The Throwback

20. Denver Nuggets Vs. New Orleans Hornets (2009 NBA Playoffs)

Carmelo Anthony’s 26 points set the tone for a playoff game that spiraled into historic territory. Denver surged past New Orleans 121-63, securing a 58-point blowout—the largest margin in NBA postseason history and a night that showcased the Nuggets at their most ruthless.

2009 Playoffs Round 1 Game 5 - New Orleans Hornets at Denver Nuggets - Full Highlights by andre agostini