Ranking Portugal's biggest defeats in football history: A 10-goal disaster in Lisbon, the day Muller ‘humiliated’ Pepe

Most of the catastrophic results compiled by Livescorecz occurred in the previous century, a time when the team, now known as the "Selecao of Europe," was often regarded as little more than a "sparring partner" for the world’s elite. 

While the glory of winning EURO 2016 has certainly healed many wounds, the scars of Portugal's biggest defeats in football history remain part of the nation’s sporting DNA. 

Some of these scorelines are so lopsided that they resemble matches involving tiny nations like San Marino rather than a team that produced legends like Eusebio or Cristiano Ronaldo.

Analyzing the Portugal’s biggest defeats in football history

4. Portugal 0-4 Germany (World Cup 2014) 

We look at the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil, specifically the Group G opener on June 16, 2014, against Germany. Portugal entered the tournament with high hopes, led by a prime Ronaldo. However, the German "Maschine" was at its peak. 

Thomas Müller scored a hat-trick, starting with a 12th-minute penalty, while Mats Hummels added a header. The game turned into a nightmare when Pepe received a straight red card for a headbutt on Müller, leaving Portugal stranded. The media labeled it a "humiliation in Salvador," and this defeat effectively derailed Portugal's campaign, leading to their group-stage exit. Germany, meanwhile, went on to win the trophy this campaign.

3. Austria 9-1 Portugal (World Cup 1954 qualifier) 

This was a World Cup Qualifier for the 1954 tournament, held at the Praterstadion in Vienna. Under the guidance of Salvador do Carmo, Portugal faced an Austrian side that was arguably one of the best in Europe at the time. The match was a total collapse, Erich Probst scored 5 goals, a record for an opponent against Portugal in a single match. 

Despite the presence of talented players like José Travassos, the Portuguese defense could not cope with Austria's tactical fluidity. This result ensured Portugal would not travel to Switzerland for the World Cup, while Austria eventually secured a third-place finish in that tournament, their best-ever result.

2. Czechoslovakia vs Portugal (World Cup 1934 qualifier) 

The scale of defeat only grew larger during the pre-war era. On March 11, 1934, Portugal traveled to Milan to face Czechoslovakia in a neutral-ground World Cup Qualifier. The result was a staggering 9-0 victory for the Czechoslovaks. 

At this time, Portugal was still in its infancy on the international stage, lacking professional structure. The Czechoslovakian team, led by the legendary Oldřich Nejedlý, toyed with the Portuguese defense. This match remains one of the heaviest defeats in the history of World Cup qualification. Following the whistle, the press in Lisbon was scathing, questioning if the national team was ready for international competition. Czechoslovakia used this momentum to reach the 1934 World Cup final, where they narrowly lost to Italy.

1. Portugal 0-10 England (Friendly match, 1947) 

This friendly match took place in Lisbon at the Estádio Nacional. Despite playing at home, the Portuguese team, managed by Tavares da Silva, was utterly helpless against an England side featuring the likes of Tom Finney and Stan Mortensen. 

Mortensen and Tommy Lawton each scored 4 goals, setting records for individual brilliance against the Portuguese. The match was described as "men against boys," with the English press marveling at their team's efficiency. For Portugal, it was a national embarrassment that led to a complete overhaul of their training methods. This 10-0 scoreline remains the only time Portugal has conceded double digits in a single match.

Portugal’s 4 most humiliating defeats:

0-10 vs England (May 25, 1947 - Friendly)

0-9 vs Czechoslovakia (March 11, 1934 - World Cup Qualifier)

1-9 vs Austria (September 27, 1953 - World Cup Qualifier)

0-4 vs Germany (June 16, 2014 - World Cup)

Reflecting on these moments, the disastrous results highlighted by Livescorecz.net serve as a reminder of how far the nation has come. These entries in the Portugal biggest defeats in football history are no longer a reflection of the current squad but rather a foundation upon which a winning culture was built. 

As we look toward the 2026 World Cup, Portugal no longer enters as an underdog but as a genuine title contender. Only by lifting the most prestigious trophies can the team truly move past these ghosts of the past.

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