Records and achievements

Did you know ...

The first televised game was an Arsenal practice match at the Highbury ground in 1937.

The largest attendance for a football match ever was 199,854 people - Brazil vs. Uruguay in the World Cup at the Maracana Stadium, Rio de Janeiro, July 1950.

The most goals scored by one player in a single football match was 16 - Stephan Stanis (France) playing for Racing Club de Lens in December 1942.

Based on video evidence, one of the fastest ever scored was in 2.8 seconds by Ricardo Olivera (Uruguay) in December 1998.

Diego Maradona was only 16 when he made his debut for Argentina.

Chris Woods once went 1196 minutes without conceding a goal while at Rangers, from between November 26 1986 and January 31 1987.

The biggest victory ever in a World Cup football match was between Yugoslavia and Zaire 9-0.

20 red cards were shown during a 1993 game between Sportivo Ameliano and General Caballero in Paraguay.

Goalkeeper Arthur Wharton was the first black professional football player. He was born in Ghana (then Gold Coast) and played for English League team Rotherham United in 1889.

In 1957 with only 30 minutes remaining, Charlton Athletic game back from a 5-1 deficit to defeat Huddersfield Town 7-6.

Madagascan team Stade Olympique L'Emryne scored 149 own goals against champions AS Adema in 2002. They repeatedly scored own goals in protest of a refereeing decision in their previous game.

Sir Stanley Matthews never received a booking in his 33 year long career.

Michael Laudrup appeared for Real Madrid in a 5-0 win over Barcelona and also Barcelona when they beat Real Madrid 5-0.

Mexico was the first country to host the World Cup twice.