crucify
v.v. to criticize someone very strongly and publicly. In sports, it means to beat an opponent so badly that they have no chance to win.
v. to subject someone to intense public criticism or to defeat an opponent decisively. In a sporting context, it implies a total and overwhelming victory that leaves the opponent with no hope of recovery.
The fans will crucify the team if they lose this game.
After the referee made a controversial call, the local media decided to crucify him for the rest of the season.
The underdog team managed to crucify the reigning champions in the final minutes, turning a narrow deficit into a lopsided victory that stunned the entire league.
From Middle English crucifien, from Old French crucefier, from Late Latin crucificō, from Latin crucifigō.