From the moment PSV first kicked a ball in Eindhoven, the club has collected moments of glory and dominance. But among all their triumphs, there is one match that towers above the rest — the biggest win in PSV history. In this article, DiorDribble will take you behind the scenes: what the score was, the opponents, the context, and how that match compares to other massive results in PSV’s storied past.
The record result: 12–1 vs Swift ’36 Roermond
When discussing the biggest win in PSV history, there’s one match that no fan or statistician can overlook: the 12–1 routing of Swift ’36 Roermond in the KNVB Cup on 26 December 1957.
This remains PSV’s all-time largest margin of victory in an official competition. The result is a standout in the club’s archives and is frequently cited in record listings.
That match took place in the early years of postwar Dutch football, when cup matches sometimes produced lopsided results. PSV, already a heavyweight in Dutch football by the 1950s, demonstrated their superiority in that tie — a performance rarely matched in years to come.
Other massive wins in PSV’s history
While 12–1 stands unmatched in PSV’s record books, the club has several other monumental scorelines worth knowing. Below is a list of other high-scoring PSV victories:
| Scoreline | Date | Competition | Opponent |
| 11–0 | 11 December 1984 | KNVB Cup | Rijnsburgse Boys |
| 11–1 | 14 October 1978 | KNVB Cup | FC Dordrecht |
| 10–0 | 24 October 2010 | Eredivisie | Feyenoord Rotterdam |
| 10–0 | 18 April 1998 | Eredivisie / PTT competition | FC Volendam |
| 9–1 | various seasons | Eredivisie | FC Den Haag, Sparta, MVV etc. |
Another more recent development: in the 2023/24 season, PSV recorded what was then their biggest ever away league win, beating SC Heerenveen 8–0. That’s a remarkable feat in modern eras, though still well short of the 12–1 record.
Context: Why the 12–1 win matters
Some readers might wonder: “Was that 12–1 win just a fluke in early-round cup football?” Indeed, cup matches in the past often paired higher-tier clubs with small amateur sides, producing huge disparities. But the significance of a 12–1 victory is more than just a number.
- Historical era: In the 1950s, Dutch football was still transitioning from regional leagues and semi-professional systems to a more unified national and professional structure. Big gaps in quality were more frequent.
- Psychological impact: For PSV, such a dominant performance early in the club’s growth reinforced their status as a powerhouse in Dutch football.
- Legacy & record-keeping: Over decades, no opponent—or even rival—has matched that margin in official competition. It’s a benchmark that remains in theecord books and club lore.
While subsequent high-scoring games (10–0, 11–0, etc.) have drawn attention, none have dethroned the 12–1 result.
Comparing to modern results: Are there contenders?
In modern football, it’s rare to see double-digit margins at the top level. PSV’sn 10–0 dismantling of Feyenoord in 2010 remains one of the most talked-about clean slates in the Eredivisie. That result is often cited as PSV’s biggest league win in recent decades.
Another significant recent blowout: in 2023, PSV smashed FC Volendam 7–1, with Xavi Simons scoring within 20 seconds and Cody Gakpo bagging a hat-trick. That match is sometimes listed among the “biggest league wins ever” in PSV’s modern era, though obviously far behind the 12–1 total.
Even in European competitions, PSV has not come close to such margins. Their performances in UEFA Champions League and Europa League would rarely produce runaway scorelines given the relative parity of quality.
So yes — while standout results occasionally emerge (10–0, 8–0), none threaten the record.
Why this record still matters in 2025
You might ask: in 2025, with football so globalized and competitive, why does a 12–1 result from 1957 still resonate?
- Historical pride – It’s a cornerstone in PSV’s identity. Fans and club media refer to it when discussing “greatest ever games.”
- Statistical benchmarks – It remains the top for “biggest win” in official PSV records, across all competitions, home or away.
- Contrast with modern football – Today’s matches rarely produce such margins, making it even more mythical and difficult to replicate.
- Connection to heritage – Having such a landmark result deep in their history gives PSV a narrative arc:.
When fans or media search “biggest win in PSV history,” the result is almost always that 12–1 cup match. It’s the kind of stat that defines the extremities of what’s possible for a club.
Final Thoughts
The biggest win in PSV history remains the 12–1 triumph over Swift ’36 Roermond, a record that stands unmatched across the club’s decades of competition.
Though PSV has achieved emphatic victories like 10–0 and 11–0 in league or cup play, none surpass the sheer scale of that 1957 dominance. In modern times, even an 8–0 away win or 7–1 thrashing is remarkable — but still far, DiorDribble invites you to explore more: check out PSV’s most iconic players, their greatest European nights, or a round-up of top 10 biggest wins across Dutch football history. Let me know what record or club you want me to unpack next!
