Highest Score in Football: 149-0 Record Explained

By Sarah Miller · May 29, 2027

The highest score in a professional football (soccer) match is 149-0, set in 2002 when AS Adema defeated SO l'Emyrne in Madagascar. This remains the most lopsided result in recorded football history.

Understanding the Highest Score in Football

When discussing the highest score in football, it's essential to distinguish between legitimate competitive results and unusual circumstances such as protest matches or administrative anomalies. The world record for the highest score in a professional football match is widely recognized as 149-0, achieved in a domestic league game in Madagascar.

Why Did This Score Occur?

This extraordinary scoreline was not the result of superior skill, but rather a form of protest. Here’s what happened:

SO l'Emyrne lost a previous match due to a refereeing decision they believed was unfair.
In protest, during their next fixture against AS Adema, SO l'Emyrne deliberately scored own goals throughout the match.
Players repeatedly kicked the ball into their own net, unopposed by the opposition.
The final score reached 149-0, officially recorded by the Malagasy Football Federation.

Legitimate High-Scoring Matches

Outside of protest games, several high-scoring matches have occurred under normal competitive conditions. These reflect dominant performances rather than intentional sabotage.

Notable High Scores in Competitive Play

Arbroath 36–0 Bon Accord (1885): A Scottish Cup match, recognized by Guinness World Records at the time.
Port Melbourne 20–0 Green Gully (2015): One of the largest margins in Australian soccer history.
Bayer Leverkusen 12–0 SpVgg Greuther Fürth (2013): A Bundesliga record for largest margin of victory.
Manchester United 10–0 Southampton (2023): A recent example of a double-digit win in top-tier European football.

International Football High Scores

FIFA-regulated international matches rarely see extremely high scores due to competitive balance, but some notable results exist, especially involving developing national teams.

Date	Match	Score	Tournament
2001-04-11	Australia 31–0 American Samoa	31–0	OFC World Cup Qualifier
2002-07-04	Maldives 0–20 Bhutan	0–20	SAFF Championship
1982-06-11	Spain 10–1 Costa Rica	10–1	FIFA World Cup
2014-07-13	Germany 7–1 Brazil	7–1	FIFA World Cup (Semi-Final)
2019-11-19	Tonga 0–22 Australia	0–22	OFC Nations Cup Qualifier

Table data source:1, 2

The data shows that most extreme scores occur in regional qualifiers or tournaments involving teams with significant developmental disparities. The 31–0 Australia vs American Samoa match stands out as the highest in an official FIFA-recognized international competition. Such results prompted FIFA to restructure qualifying formats and support lower-ranked nations.

Rules and Regulations on Match Results

FIFA does not impose a scoring limit in football matches. As long as goals are scored within the rules, there is no cap on how many can be recorded. However, leagues may intervene in cases of unsporting behavior.

Key Considerations

FIFA recognizes all goals scored legally, regardless of number.
Protest matches like the 149–0 result are rare and often lead to rule clarifications.
Competitive integrity is maintained through fair play regulations, even in one-sided games.
Some youth and amateur leagues implement mercy rules, but these do not apply at professional levels.

Common Questions About the Highest Score in Football

What is the highest score ever in football?

The highest score ever recorded in a professional football match is 149–0, with AS Adema defeating SO l'Emyrne in Madagascar in 2002. This result was due to a protest where players intentionally scored own goals.

Has any team scored 100 goals in a single match?

No team has legitimately scored 100 goals in a single match under normal competitive conditions. The 149–0 result in Madagascar is the only recorded instance, but it was a protest action, not a display of skill.

What is the highest score in international football?

The highest score in an official international football match is Australia 31–0 American Samoa, played on April 11, 2001, during a FIFA World Cup qualifier in the Oceania region.

Is there a maximum score limit in football matches?

No, there is no maximum score limit in football. Teams can score as many goals as possible within the 90 minutes, provided they follow the laws of the game.

Why was the Australia vs American Samoa match 31–0?

The 31–0 result occurred due to a massive gap in development and experience. American Samoa, a newly formed team at the time, lacked training and resources. This result led to reforms in FIFA’s approach to supporting smaller football nations.