Football is a game of precision and skill, yet even the most talented players can experience moments they’d rather forget. Here are ten of the most infamous misses in football history:
Ronny Rosenthal – Liverpool vs. Aston Villa (1992): After rounding the goalkeeper, Rosenthal faced an open goal but astonishingly struck the crossbar from close range, a miss still remembered decades later.
Yakubu Aiyegbeni – Nigeria vs. South Korea (2010 World Cup): From just a few yards out, Yakubu failed to convert a seemingly certain goal, a miss that contributed to Nigeria’s early exit from the tournament.
Fernando Torres – Chelsea vs. Manchester United (2011): Known for his goal-scoring prowess, Torres found himself one-on-one with an open net but inexplicably shot wide, leaving fans and commentators in disbelief.
Chris Iwelumo – Scotland vs. Norway (2008): On his international debut, Iwelumo missed from mere yards, a moment that haunted him and Scottish fans alike.
Robert Lewandowski – Bayern Munich vs. Paderborn (2019): Despite his reputation as a prolific striker, Lewandowski missed an open goal from close range, a rare lapse in an otherwise stellar career.
Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting – PSG vs. Strasbourg (2019): Positioned on the goal line, Choupo-Moting somehow prevented his own team’s goal, a blunder that left spectators stunned.
Raheem Sterling – Manchester City vs. Lyon (2020): In a crucial Champions League match, Sterling missed an open goal from close range, a moment that contributed to City’s unexpected exit.
Diego Forlán – Manchester United vs. Juventus (2003): Forlán’s miss in a pre-season friendly became emblematic of his early struggles at United, missing an open goal from close range.
Peter van Vossen – Rangers vs. Celtic (1996): In a heated Old Firm derby, van Vossen missed an open goal, a moment that remains infamous among Scottish football fans.
Fahad Khalfan – Qatar vs. Uzbekistan (2010): After a defensive error left him with an open net, Khalfan struck the post from close range, a miss that proved costly for his team.
These moments serve as reminders that even the best can falter, adding to the unpredictable and thrilling nature of football.
