Which match set the FIFA World Cup record for the largest winning margin?
Answer
Hungary 10–1 El Salvador
Hungary’s 10–1 victory over El Salvador set the FIFA World Cup record for the largest winning margin.
The match took place in Elche, Spain, during the group stage of the 1982 World Cup. Hungary led 3–0 at half-time and continued scoring after the interval, with László Kiss becoming the first substitute to score a World Cup hat-trick.
The nine-goal margin has never been surpassed in the men’s World Cup finals. The match also remains one of the tournament’s highest-scoring games, although it is not the overall record for total goals.
El Salvador were appearing at their second World Cup and had lost their opening match to Belgium. Hungary’s result gave them a spectacular start, but they did not reach the knockout stage.