Grimsby Town Stuns Manchester United in Historic 12-11 Penalty Shootout | Carabao Cup 2025.

Grimsby Town Stuns Manchester United in Historic 12-11 Penalty Shootout | Carabao Cup 2025.

Grimsby Town 2-2 Manchester United (12-11 pens) | Carabao Cup highlights.

Grimsby beating Man Utd joins ranks of biggest cup upsets

IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGES Image caption, Bryan Mbeumo missed the decisive spot-kick as Manchester United were beaten by Grimsby.

            Adam Millington BBC Sport journalist • Published 7 hours ago • 286 Comments. Manchester United suffered a shock early EFL Cup exit on penalties to League Two side Grimsby Town - a result that will be remembered for years to come. United were beaten 12-11 on spot-kicks, having clawed their way back from 2-0 behind with 15 minutes to go to scrape a 2-2 draw.

It was not the first time United had suffered a notable upset in domestic cup action, either. Remember York City's 3-0 win at Old Trafford 30 years ago? After Grimsby's surprise victory, BBC Sport looks at 10 of the biggest upsets in the FA Cup and EFL Cup. This isn't an exhaustive list, and you can leave your thoughts in the comments as well as ranking the 10 upsets and sharing your results.

Grimsby 2-2 Man Utd (12-11 on pens, League Cup, 2025)

An upset as astonishing for its manner as it was for its proportions. Grimsby Town, a League Two side, beat top-flight Manchester United. Not only did they win, but they were 2-0 up after 30 minutes following goals from Charles Vernam and Tyrell Warren. The visitors pulled one back through Bryan Mbeumo with 15 minutes to go and United looked like they might squeeze through when Harry Maguire went on to level in the 89th minute. It went to penalties and what ensued was an incredible shootout, with Clarke Oduor for Grimsby and Matheus Cunha for Manchester United missing the only penalties as each side's 11 took one. The players then went again and, after Darragh Burns scored to make it 12-11, Mbeumo struck his second spot-kick against the crossbar.

The match, played at Blundell Park on August 27, 2025, saw Grimsby stun the Premier League giants in a marathon penalty shootout following a 2-2 draw in normal time. Ruben Amorim's side arrived keen to start winning again but instead made history with their latest low point. Grimsby had been unbeaten in League Two, sitting just a point off the top after a strong start, including a 3-1 win over Shrewsbury in the previous round of the Carabao Cup. The Mariners' boss, David Artell, had a gameplan to heap pressure around the visitors' area, knowing the home fans would create an intense atmosphere.

Vernam's opener came after a quick diagonal from Burns, beating Onana at his near post. Warren doubled the lead when Onana failed to punch clear a corner, allowing the former United youth product to roll home. Despite chances for Grimsby to extend their lead, including a disallowed goal from Cameron Gardner for offside, United fought back. Mbeumo scored his first goal for the club with a placed effort, and Maguire headed in a late corner to force penalties.

The shootout was epic, with 26 penalties taken. Cunha's effort was saved when he could have won it, and Mbeumo missed his second to seal Grimsby's 12-11 victory. Artell praised his players' technical and psychological resilience, noting it was the accumulation of 15-18 months' work. Amorim apologised to fans, calling it a major setback and questioning his players' desire. Grimsby's reward is a third-round trip to Sheffield Wednesday, while United face further scrutiny. This defeat marks the first time United have been eliminated by a fourth-tier team in a cup competition, a historic low.

Plymouth 1-0 Liverpool (FA Cup, 2025)

Arne Slot made 10 changes to his Liverpool side after they had won an EFL Cup semi-final in their previous game and the Reds were made to pay. Eight minutes after the interval, the Pilgrims were awarded a penalty after Harvey Elliott's handball and Ryan Hardie drilled home from the spot in emphatic fashion. Hardie almost added a second shortly afterwards when his shot was turned on to the post by Liverpool keeper Caoimhin Kelleher. The bottom club in the Championship held on, with Conor Hazard making crucial late saves, to beat a team who would go on to win the Premier League title.

The match at Home Park on February 9, 2025, saw Plymouth pull off an enormous shock, dumping Liverpool out 1-0 in the fourth round. Slot rested stars like Mohamed Salah and Cody Gakpo, paying the price as his rotated side lost for only the fourth time that season. Hardie's 53rd-minute penalty after Elliott's handball proved decisive, despite Hazard's heroics, including saves from Diogo Jota and Darwin Núñez.

Plymouth, bottom of the Championship, executed a gritty performance under Miron Muslic, with Nikola Katić integral in defence. Liverpool were bereft of ideas, forced into an early change when Joe Gomez was injured, and upped the tempo only after falling behind. Hazard's stoppage-time saves, including from Núñez's header, sealed one of Plymouth's most famous wins, ending Liverpool's quadruple pursuit. Slot had no regrets over his selection but admitted disappointment, crediting Plymouth's gameplan. Muslic hailed his team's desire, calling it "another chapter in Argyle's history". Plymouth advanced to the fifth round, while Liverpool turned to the Merseyside derby. This marked the third time Liverpool failed to score under Slot, highlighting squad depth issues.

Chelsea 2-4 Bradford City (FA Cup, 2015)

Bradford ranked 49 places below their opponents as they travelled to Stamford Bridge to take on Chelsea, who at that point were top of the Premier League. Gary Cahill and Ramires netted to put the hosts 2-0 up and give Chelsea firm control of the fourth-round tie. Bradford had other ideas, though, as Jon Stead pulled one back before Filipe Morais side-footed in an equaliser. Andy Halliday then blasted the Bantams ahead before Mark Yeates slotted a fourth to inflict a crushing defeat on Jose Mourinho's side.

The January 24, 2015, clash at Stamford Bridge saw Bradford City produce a stunning 4-2 comeback to dump Chelsea out in the fourth round. League One Bradford, 49 places below the Premier League leaders, overcame a 2-0 deficit from Cahill's flick and Ramires' goal. Stead's pull-back ignited the fight, Morais equalised, Halliday blasted ahead, and Yeates sealed it in stoppage time.

Chelsea made nine changes, fielding a team worth £98m against Bradford's £7,500 squad, but were outplayed after the break. Mourinho called it a "disgrace," the first home loss to lower-league opposition since 1995. Bradford's Phil Parkinson described it as "surreal," praising his team's bravery. The Bantams advanced, eventually losing to Reading in the quarter-finals. This upset, voted among the greatest, ended Chelsea's quadruple hopes and highlighted FA Cup magic. Mourinho regrouped, winning the League Cup and Premier League that season.

Oldham 3-2 Liverpool (FA Cup, 2013)

Premier League giants Liverpool had ample strength at Boundary Park, with the likes of Luis Suarez, Raheem Sterling and Daniel Sturridge all starting. League One hosts Oldham were in the midst of financial problems but produced a spirited display against the odds, with Matt Smith nodding in a Youssouf M'Changama cross to open the scoring. Suarez levelled, but Smith soon took advantage of an error from Liverpool goalkeeper Brad Jones before Reece Wabara netted a back-post header to give the Latics a 3-1 lead. Joe Allen volleyed home to pull one back and Liverpool brought on Steven Gerrard, but it was not enough to avoid defeat.

On January 27, 2013, at Boundary Park, Oldham Athletic stunned Liverpool 3-2 in the fourth round. League One Oldham, amid financial woes, outfought the Reds despite stars like Suarez, Sterling, and Sturridge starting. Smith headed in M'Changama's cross early, Suarez equalised, but Smith capitalised on Jones' error and Wabara's header made it 3-1. Allen's volley pulled one back, but Gerrard's introduction couldn't prevent defeat.

Oldham's spirited display, with Baxter showing neat touches, overcame a strong Liverpool side. Paul Dickov's team merited the win, advancing to face Everton in the fifth round. Liverpool's Brendan Rodgers lamented his team's feeble performance, supporting his concerns about leadership. This shock, watched by 10,295, highlighted FA Cup romance, with Oldham's youth and commitment prevailing.

Bradford City 1-1 Arsenal (3-2 on pens, League Cup, 2012)

A fourth-tier side against Premier League opposition in the quarter-finals of the league cup - Arsenal were clear favourites. Bradford had already caused an upset in the tournament, though, beating Wigan on penalties in the round before. They were up for a fight at home to Arsene Wenger's Gunners. Garry Thompson volleyed the Bantams ahead, before Thomas Vermaelen headed home a Santi Cazorla cross with just two minutes of normal time remaining. Just as Mbeumo missed the decisive kick for United against Grimsby after scoring in normal time, the same happened for Vermaelen here as Bradford prevailed 3-2 on spot-kicks. They went on to beat Aston Villa in the semi-final but lost 5-0 to Swansea at Wembley.

On December 11, 2012, at Valley Parade, Bradford City shocked Arsenal, winning 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the quarter-finals. Thompson's volley gave the Bantams the lead, but Vermaelen's late header forced penalties. Bradford, having beaten Wigan similarly, triumphed again, with Cazorla, Chamakh, and Vermaelen missing for Arsenal.

Wenger fielded a strong side, but Bradford's resilience shone, reaching their first semi-final. They overcame Aston Villa next but lost 5-0 to Swansea in the final. Arsenal's embarrassment, worth £40,000 to Bradford in revenue, highlighted cup magic, with the Bantams' ninth straight shootout win. Wenger apologised, noting his team's failure despite chances.

Liverpool 2-2 Northampton (2-4 on pens, League Cup, 2010)

Another surprise cup exit for Liverpool. This one happened in the League Cup - at Anfield. Milan Jovanovic fired in an opener for Liverpool but Billy McKay equalised and Michael Jacobs tapped in to give the Cobblers a lead early in extra time. David Ngog scored from a late header to set up the penalty drama, but Northampton were the victors from the spot, with Abdul Osman keeping his cool to slot in the decisive spot-kick.

On September 22, 2010, at Anfield, Northampton Town stunned Liverpool 4-2 on penalties after a 2-2 draw in the third round. Jovanovic opened, but McKay equalised, Jacobs led in extra time, and Ngog forced penalties. Ngog and Eccleston missed, Osman won it for the Cobblers.

Hodgson rested stars, but his reserves failed against League Two Northampton, plunging the club into misery. Sampson's side outplayed Liverpool in the second half, earning nine consecutive penalty wins. Hodgson apologised, calling it a major setback.
Man Utd 0-3 York City (League Cup, 1995)

Ruben Amorim is not the first Manchester United to suffer a shock in the League Cup - even Sir Alex Ferguson has faced the same. The United boss didn't take the game lightly and made just four changes from the league game which they had played three days before, with the likes of David Beckham, Lee Sharpe and Ryan Giggs starting.

Paul Barnes, father of Newcastle winger Harvey Barnes, scored twice for Alan Little's visitors, including one from the penalty spot, before Tony Barras headed a third to inflict a crushing defeat at Old Trafford. United put out another strong team at Bootham Crescent for the return leg two weeks later, with Eric Cantona in their squad, but despite getting two goals from Paul Scholes and another from Terry Cooke, the Minstermen went through 4-3 on aggregate thanks to a strike from Scott Jordan.

On September 20, 1995, at Old Trafford, York City shocked Manchester United 3-0 in the League Cup second round first leg. Barnes scored twice, including a penalty, and Barras headed the third. United, with Beckham, Giggs, and Sharpe, couldn't respond.

In the return, United won 3-1 but lost 4-3 on aggregate, with Jordan's goal sealing York's advancement. Little's side, from Division Two, dominated, highlighting United's vulnerability despite a strong lineup. This remains one of the greatest cup upsets, with York progressing to face Everton next.

Wrexham 2-1 Arsenal (FA Cup, 1992)

Arsenal were reigning Premiership champions and second in the top flight. Wrexham were 24th in the Third Division. The Gunners made the trip to Wales as firm favourites and were just 10 minutes from securing a spot in the fourth round after Alan Smith's first-half opener. But Mickey Thomas sent a 25-yard free kick past David Seaman before Steve Watkin's strike earned victory for Wrexham just two minutes later.

On January 4, 1992, at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham stunned Arsenal 2-1 in the third round. Smith's opener put Arsenal ahead, but Thomas's 82nd-minute free-kick equalised, and Watkin's winner followed.

Wrexham, bottom of the Third Division, overcame the champions with youth and spirit. Flynn's tactics exploited Arsenal's complacency, advancing to face West Ham. Graham called it his "lowest moment," but Arsenal rebounded to win the cup the next year.

Sutton 2-1 Coventry (FA Cup, 1989)

Sutton United had a memorable cup run in 2016-17, beating three EFL teams - including Leeds United - before losing to Arsenal in the fifth round. They have also produced one of the biggest shocks of all time. The non-league side took on a Coventry team who were then in the First Division and had won the FA Cup in 1987. The part-time side upset the odds at home, with Matthew Hanlan volleying home the winner just before the hour mark.

On January 7, 1989, at Gander Green Lane, Sutton United shocked Coventry City 2-1 in the third round. Rains scored before half-time, Phillips equalised, but Hanlan's volley won it.

Conference Sutton outplayed First Division Coventry, who had won the Cup in 1987. Williams' side, mostly part-timers, matched Coventry's physicality, advancing to face Norwich. Sillett called it a "hard day," while Sutton celebrated a historic giant-killing. This remained the last non-league win over top-flight opposition until 2013.

Hereford 2-1 Newcastle (FA Cup, 1972)

Top-flight Newcastle were beaten in the third round of the FA Cup by non-league opposition when they took on Hereford United in 1972. Hereford took the tie to a replay after a 2-2 draw at St James' Park, but Newcastle looked destined to make it to the fourth round thanks to a late goal by Malcolm McDonald in the rematch. However, the non-leaguers had other ideas and Ronnie Radford popped up to score the most famous 30-yard goal in FA Cup history to take the game into extra time. Substitute Ricky George scored the winner - amid scenes of wild celebration at Edgar Street - as Hereford became the first non-league club to defeat a First Division side since 1949.

On February 5, 1972, at Edgar Street, Hereford United upset Newcastle 2-1 after extra time in the third round replay. Macdonald's late goal seemed to win it, but Radford's iconic 30-yard strike equalised, and George's extra-time winner sealed victory.

Southern League Hereford, after a 2-2 draw at St James' Park, overcame the top-flight side in a quagmire pitch. Addison's equaliser at Newcastle set up the replay, postponed three times. Hereford advanced to face West Ham, elected to the League that season. This remains one of the FA Cup's greatest shocks.

This list captures the essence of cup magic, where underdogs defy odds. What's your favourite upset? Share in the comments and rank them!