The World Baseball Classic (WBC) has been held since 2006, with this year’s edition marking the sixth installment of the tournament.

Traditional powerhouses such as Japan and the United States have dominated much of the competition, with the former alone capturing three titles so far. Yet the WBC has also produced its fair share of shock results. Even in the current edition, fans have already witnessed Chinese Taipei’s dramatic 5-4 win over South Korea and Japan surviving a major scare against Australia.

With that in mind, here are five of the most memorable upsets in WBC history.

Australia reach quarter-finals (2023)

Before 2023, Australia had struggled to make an impact in the WBC, winning only two games across several tournament appearances. Placed in a difficult group featuring Japan and South Korea, expectations were modest for the Australians.

Instead, the Southern Thunder stunned the baseball world with an 8-7 victory over South Korea. The result helped propel Australia into the quarter-finals for the first time.

Netherlands silence South Korea in Seoul (2017)

South Korea entered the 2017 tournament as both host nation and one of the favourites. Many expected them to make a deep run, but their campaign unravelled almost immediately.

After losing their opener to Israel, the Koreans were convincingly beaten 5-0 by the Netherlands in front of their home crowd in Seoul. The defeat contributed to South Korea’s shocking first-round elimination.

Strong start to #WBC2017 for The Netherlands! They take a 5-0 victory over South Korea. pic.twitter.com/EL8reMWvFI

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) March 7, 2017

Italy edge Mexico in dramatic fashion (2013)

Italy had long been regarded as one of Europe’s strongest baseball teams but rarely threatened the tournament’s elite sides.

That changed in 2013 when the Azzurri stunned Mexico 6-5 in a dramatic group-stage clash as a crucial ninth-inning double from Anthony Rizzo allowed Italy to overturn a late deficit. The victory, followed by a 14-4 win over Canada, helped Italy advance to the next round.

#WBC #TeamItaly Classic Moments: 3/7/2013 vs Team Mexico … Anthony Rizzo’s go-ahead two-run double in the ninth propelled #Italy to a 6-5 win and opened their tournament with a bang. 🇮🇹 ⚾️ 🇺🇸 pic.twitter.com/NpKea2f3Lk

— Italian American Baseball Foundation (@IABF5) April 1, 2023

Double Dutch shock for Dominican Republic (2009)

Perhaps the most famous upset in WBC history came in 2009. The Dominican Republic entered the tournament with a star-studded roster featuring MLB stars such as David Ortiz, Jose Reyes and Hanley Ramirez.

Yet the Netherlands stunned the baseball world by defeating the Dominicans twice in the opening round: first 3-2 and then 2-1 in an extra-innings elimination game.

Gotta love an upset in the World Baseball Classic! 😱 pic.twitter.com/YsKJxx2ACn

— World Baseball Classic (@WBCBaseball) February 7, 2023

Cuba eliminate Venezuela (2006)

In the inaugural 2006 edition, Venezuela fielded a formidable squad featuring MLB stars such as Johan Santana, Miguel Cabrera, Omar Vizquel and Bobby Abreu. Cuba, by contrast, relied entirely on players from its domestic league. Many observers expected the Cuban side to struggle against MLB talent.

Instead, Cuba produced a dramatic 7-6 victory over Venezuela and went on to reach the final, where they eventually finished runners-up to Japan. Their remarkable run established Cuba as the first great underdog story in WBC history.