The Biggest Half-Time Leads in Football History

On Tuesday 14th July, Hull City were on the wrong end of a merciless thrashing, which had football fans all over the world's jaws dropping as they checked the half time scores.

While it is probably of little consolation to the Tigers, they are not alone in their misery. Here are nine games which have been completely settled by half time.

1. Wigan Athletic vs Hull City (Championship, 2020)

Hull City boss Grant McCann probably saw his side's visit to the DW Stadium as an opportunity to climb out of the relegation zone. These hopes did not last too long, however, as Wigan stuck SEVEN past the Tigers in the opening 45 minutes.

Kal Naismith opened the scoring after one minute, and Kieffer Moore and Kieran Dowell registered first half braces. Jamal Lowe and Joe Williams added to the home side's tally before the break.

The second half was slightly better for the away team. Dowell completed his hat-trick, but the Latics did not find a ninth goal. So, you know, silver linings and all that.

2. Southampton vs Leicester City (Premier League, 2019)

Given their league position, it is easy to forget that Southampton were once in relegation trouble this season. One thing that has not been forgotten, however, is the unbelievable thrashing they suffered at the hands of Leicester.

Ben Chilwell gave the Foxes the lead, before a brace by Ayoze Perez, and goals from Youri Tielemans and Jamie Vardy put Leicester 5-0 up before the break.

Things didn't get much better in the second half for the Saints, who had been playing with 10 men following Ryan Bertrand's red card. Vardy and Perez both completed hat-tricks, and James Maddison netted a free kick which saw the away side come away with a 9-0 victory - the highest for a visiting side in Premier League history.

3. Southampton vs Aston Villa (Premier League, 2015)

It hasn't been all bad for Southampton. On May 16th 2015, they delivered a first half rout of their own.

After 13 minutes, Sadio Mane netted his first of the game. Less than three minutes later, the Senegalese winger would have two more goals to his name - the fastest Premier League hat-trick ever. Shane Long was also able to bag a first half brace. Christian Benteke pulled one back for Villa just before the half time whistle, but the Villans went into the changing rooms 5-1 down.

Italian forward Graziano Pelle added a sixth in the second half, but that was the extent of the drubbing.

4. Roma vs Bayern Munich (Champions League, 2014)

After demolishing CSKA Moscow 5-1 at home, and snatching a 1-1 draw at the Etihad Stadium, Roma were going into their group stage fixture against Bayern Munich in decent form.

This optimism was short lived. A brace from Arjen Robben, as well as goals from Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski, and Thomas Muller meant that the German giants romped into a 5-0 half time lead.

Former Arsenal man Gervinho managed to pull one back in the second half, but Franck Ribery and Xherdan Shaqiri netted to make it 7-1 to the Bavarians.

5. Yugoslavia vs Zaire (World Cup, 1974)

In 1974, Zaire (now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo) became only the second African side to play at a World Cup. African football wasn't very highly regarded at the time, but Zaire wished to prove the doubters wrong.

Their second group game came against Yugoslavia, and they found themselves 6-0 down at half time. The game ended 9-0, which is the joint biggest winning margin in World Cup history.

The game was perhaps not as embarrassing as it may seem, and instead rather tragic. The scandal behind Zaire's World Cup was quite extraordinary, and worth reading about.

6. England vs Panama (World Cup, 2018)

The 2018 World Cup saw central American nation Panama qualify for the first time ever. And after a spirited performance against Belgium, they would have had high hopes as they faced England.

However, the Three Lions raced into a 5-0 lead at half time. Harry Kane scored two penalties, Jesse Lingard curled in a beauty, and John Stones became the unlikely scorer of a brace.

Despite Harry Kane's goal for perhaps the ugliest hat-trick of all time, the Panamanian fans were given some joy after Felipe Baloy bagged a consolation.

7. Brazil vs Germany (World Cup, 2014)

Spirits were high in Brazil. They had knocked out fellow South American sides Chile and Colombia, and were set to play Germany in Belo Horizonte. What could possibly go wrong?

David Luiz. That's what.

Without Thiago Silva at the back for Selecao, David Luiz and Dante led a car crash performance in defence. Thomas Muller opened the scoring, with Miroslav Klose making it two and bagging a record 16th World Cup goal. A Toni Kroos double and Sami Khedira piled on the misery for the hosts as they went into the break 5-0 down.

Andre Schurrle came off the bench to inflict further damage with two more goals, and former Chelsea man Oscar registered a consolation for the home side in possibly the most famous World Cup game in recent history.

8. Australia vs American Samoa (World Cup Qualifiers, 2001)

Ever get bored of international breaks? Feel like they're often a complete mismatch? Well....maybe you're right.

Australia proved this best in their qualifying group for the 2002 World Cup. Having already beaten Tonga 22-0, the Socceroos showed little mercy against American Samoa, racing into a 16-0 lead before the half time whistle.

Things didn't get any better for the Samoans in the second, as the Australians bagged a further 15 goals. This was a world record for the largest scoreline in an international match, and sparked a debate which led to the introduction of preliminary rounds to avoid such unbalanced matches.

9. AS Adema vs Stade Olympique I'Emyrne (THB Champions League, 2002)

No one likes to be on the end of a thrashing. Whether it be a Sunday league game on a wet, bobbly pitch, or in a game of FIFA which sends your controller flying into the wall - it's never nice to get obliterated by your opponent. However, you can take comfort in the fact that you have (hopefully) never lost a game of football 149-0.

Yep, you read that correctly. ONE HUNDRED AND FORTY NINE. That was the number of goals that Madagascan side AS Adema stuck past Stade Olympique I'Emyrne in 2002. Or, more accurately, the number of goals that Stade Olympique I'Emyrne stuck past themselves.

SOE spent the entire game scoring own goals as the home side stood and watched in bemusement. The game, recognised by The Guinness Book of Records as the highest scoring match ever, led to the suspensions of SOE coach Zaka Be and four other players.

It is believed that the visitors did this in protest of a questionable refereeing decision in the previous game. If only they'd had VAR...