In soccer, a goal typically follows a shot — or so we thought. In two unprecedented professional matches, teams walked away with victories without recording a single shot. These games defied every conventional stat, setting rare records in both Major League Soccer (MLS) and the Scottish Premiership.
1. Sporting KC 1-0 LA Galaxy – No Shots, Historic MLS Win (May 4, 2025)
On May 4, 2025, Sporting Kansas City defeated LA Galaxy 1-0 in what is now one of the most bizarre matches in MLS history. According to official match stats, Sporting KC:
- Had 0 shots
- Created no attacking chances
- Scored via an own goal by LA defender Maya Yoshida
The game’s only goal came in the 13th minute when Yoshida misdirected a low cross from Dániel Sallói into his own net. Despite controlling possession and creating 11 shots, the Galaxy couldn’t equalize, leaving Kansas City with a fluke win and Galaxy still winless through 11 matches (0-8-3).
This match is now widely recognized as the first time in MLS history a team won without attempting a shot.
2. Livingston 1-0 Kilmarnock – Shotless Victory in the Scottish Premiership (Oct 22, 2022)
Another example of a soccer team winning with no shots occurred on October 22, 2022, in the Scottish Premiership. In that match:
- Livingston won 1-0
- They registered 0 shots (including blocked shots)
- The only goal came from an own goal by Kilmarnock’s Joe Wright
Despite a lack of offense, Livingston held on defensively and kept Kilmarnock from leveling the score. The match was verified by Opta statistics, making it one of the most statistically rare wins in professional football.
Why These “No-Shot Wins” Matter
These matches underscore the unpredictability of soccer. Winning without taking a shot challenges the basic metrics analysts and fans rely on:
- Possession and xG (expected goals) were irrelevant
- Own goals became the deciding factor
- Defensive resilience and luck outshined attacking play
For analysts, bettors, and fans, this serves as a reminder that even the most bizarre soccer stats are possible.
Conclusion: The Rarest Way to Win a Soccer Game
From Sporting KC’s MLS milestone to Livingston’s defensive grind, these two matches will be remembered for their statistical oddity: winning without a shot.
Whether you’re a soccer stats nerd, sports blogger, or just love weird sports trivia, these matches prove that sometimes in football, you don’t need to shoot to score — you just need the opponent to make a mistake.
