Penalty shootouts can be both exhilarating and heartbreaking, and throughout football history, there have been some infamous penalty misses that left fans stunned and players devastated. Here are five of the worst penalty misses in football history.
1. Roberto Baggio - 1994 FIFA World Cup Final: In the most critical moment of the 1994 World Cup final between Italy and Brazil, the legendary Italian striker Roberto Baggio had a chance to equalize and force the shootout into sudden death. Regrettably, he blasted his penalty over the bar, handing Brazil the victory and leaving Baggio inconsolable on the pitch.
2. John Terry - 2008 UEFA Champions League Final: The 2008 Champions League final between Chelsea and Manchester United saw one of the most memorable penalty misses. With a chance to secure the title for Chelsea, club captain John Terry slipped as he took his penalty, sending the ball wide of the goal. Chelsea eventually lost the shootout, and Terry's miss became an enduring image of heartbreak.
3. Neymar - 2015 Copa America Quarter-final: During the 2015 Copa America, Brazil faced Paraguay in the quarter-finals. The match ended in a draw, and in the penalty shootout, Brazil's star player Neymar sent his shot soaring over the crossbar, leading to Brazil's elimination from the tournament.
4. Chris Waddle - 1990 FIFA World Cup Semi-final: In the semi-final between England and West Germany in the 1990 World Cup, the match went to a penalty shootout. Chris Waddle's decisive miss came in a sudden-death situation, crushing England's hopes of reaching the final.
5. Asamoah Gyan - 2010 FIFA World Cup Quarter-final: In the 2010 World Cup quarter-final between Ghana and Uruguay, with the score level at the end of extra time, Asamoah Gyan had the opportunity to become a national hero by converting a penalty and taking Ghana to their first-ever World Cup semi-final. However, he struck the crossbar, and Uruguay eventually won the shootout.
Comments