Senegal qualified for the 2018 World Cup in Russia by beating South Africa 2-0 in a World Cup qualification replay on Friday. For the second goal, South Africa capitulated in perhaps the most painful way possible: the shambolic own goal.
Senegal get their second thanks to an own goal by Thamsanqa Mkhize. Cruel. #whatahowler pic.twitter.com/EJLNFooJIR
Hilarious own goals are a tragedy for the player who scores them. It's arguably even worse for goalkeepers as they are the only players on the field allowed to use their hands. In spite of this, however, they sometimes manage to score the most remarkable, unexplainable own goals.
This week, 18-year-old Benfica goalkeeper Mile Svilar scored a really unfortunate own goal when the Eagles faced Manchester United in the Champions League.
Languishing near the bottom of the Portuguese Primeira Liga table, heading into the break at 1-1 with S.C. Braga would’ve represented an exceptional 45 minutes of football for C.D. Tondela on Sunday. However, just on the stroke of halftime, Braga struck the crossbar before Tondela defender Ricardo Costa smashed the rebound into his own net.
Arturo Vidal is one of the best midfielders in the world. He can do pretty much everything on the field. There is no skill that escapes him, although we would struggle to describe any one skill of his as "great."
Except for rocket ship header own goals, of course. Check out this beauty from Chile's 3-0 loss to Paraguay Thursday.
Will done @kingarturo23
Super own goal pic.twitter.com/UJlLiqSyKx
On Tuesday, Swiss club Young Boys scored an excruciating last-minute own goal to lose 1-0 to CSKA Moscow in a Champions League playoff. On Thursday, Turkish club Fenerbahce showed the Europa League's standard of own goal is just as high as the Champions League's.
Warning: This video is heartbreaking for everyone but CSKA Moscow fans. In the 91st minute of a scoreless Champions League playoff first leg between CSKA and Swiss club Young Boys, defender Kasim Adams Nuhu attempted to head the ball back to his keeper. Only his keeper was already coming out to receive the ball.
You can guess what happened next.
Is this the worst way to lose a game in stoppage time you've ever seen?
If you are a soccer fan, you probably have seen many own goals. Spectacular own goals. Hilarious own goals. Crushing own goals. However, I bet you didn't know own goals occur outside the world of sport all the time. Real-life own goals can be just as spectacular and hilarious and crushing as their soccer counterparts, and in many cases much more dangerous.
Xabi Alonso has retired from professional soccer, but his spirit lives on. And by "spirit" we mean "scoring goals from outrageously far away".
Well, sort of.
Eligible for Nigeria
Fikayo Tomori scored a freak own goal. England drew 1-1 v Guinea at #U20WC.Chin up Fikayopic.twitter.com/NIYXJv0Jxp