The end of football is beating the opponent to score goal(s). But sometimes teammates do mistakenly put the ball into their own net to give the opponents an edge.
Such moments are always bizarre and have a grueling impact on team effort. Here are five most bizarre own goals ever recorded in football history;
1. Festus Baise (Hong Kong FC vs Sun Hei, 2011)
This own goal is bizarre because of the way in which it is scored. Baise, the Hong Kong FC goalkeeper, attempts to clear a cross with a scorpion kick, but instead sends the ball into his own net. The scorpion kick is a difficult skill to pull off, and it is even more difficult to pull it off in a match situation. Baise’s own goal is one of the most bizarre and acrobatic own goals ever scored.
2. Jamie Pollock (Manchester City vs Queens Park Rangers, 2000)
This own goal is bizarre because of the way in which it is scored and the context of the match. Pollock, the Manchester City midfielder, attempts to beat a Queens Park Rangers player with a Cruyff turn, but instead loses the ball and it rolls into his own net. The own goal was scored in the relegation battle, and it ultimately cost Manchester City their place in the Premier League.
3. Franck Queudrue (Bastia vs Lens, 2001)
This own goal is bizarre because of the distance from which it is scored. Queudrue, the Bastia defender, attempts to clear a long ball from the opposition half, but instead volleys the ball into his own net. The own goal was scored from over 40 yards out, and it is one of the most bizarre and long-range own goals ever scored.
4. Wayne Hatswell (Forest Green Rovers vs Morecambe, 2000)
This own goal is bizarre because of the way in which it is scored. Hatswell, the Forest Green Rovers goalkeeper, attempts to clear a cross, but instead punches the ball into his own net. The own goal was scored under very little pressure, and it is one of the most bizarre and embarrassing own goals ever scored.
5. Chris Brass (Bury vs Darlington, 2004)
This own goal is bizarre because of the way in which it is scored. Brass, the Bury defender, attempts to clear a high ball, but instead blasts the ball into his own face before it rolls into the net. The own goal was scored under very little pressure, and it is one of the most bizarre and humiliating own goals ever scored.
These are just a few examples of bizarre own goals in football history. There have been many other bizarre own goals scored over the years, but these five are some of the most memorable.
Here are some notable goalkeepers who have scored own goals
Petr Čech (Czech Republic) – Čech is one of the most decorated goalkeepers in football history, having won the Premier League four times and the Champions League once. However, even he is not immune to scoring own goals. In 2017, while playing for Arsenal against Chelsea, Čech misjudged a backpass and sent the ball into his own net.
Manuel Neuer (Germany) – Neuer is another world-class goalkeeper who has scored an own goal. In 2016, while playing for Bayern Munich against Atlético Madrid, Neuer attempted to clear a long ball but instead kicked it into his own net.
David de Gea (Spain) – De Gea is one of the best goalkeepers in the world, but he has also scored an own goal. In 2020, while playing for Manchester United against Everton, De Gea misjudged a cross and sent the ball into his own net.
Ederson (Brazil) – Ederson is known for his ability to distribute the ball with his feet, but he has also scored an own goal. In 2020, while playing for Manchester City against Tottenham Hotspur, Ederson’s attempted backpass to João Cancelo was intercepted by Son Heung-min, who scored into an empty net.
Alisson Becker (Brazil) – Alisson is another Brazilian goalkeeper who has scored an own goal. In 2021, while playing for Liverpool against Manchester United, Alisson misjudged a backpass from Fabinho and sent the ball into his own net.
