Top Five Most Memorable Own Goals In Football History

Striking the football right into the net generally gets every football player out there on top of the world, but striking the ball into their own net is like living one of their worst nightmares on the field, as it results in a goal being scored for the opposition team.

Although never intentionally, numerous football players from all over the world over the years have ended up dragging their teams into gloomy situations after scoring their own goal and have also been subjected to inhuman criticism and hatred for their blunders on the football field.

In this article, we will take a look at the five worst goals that unleashed numerous revolting controversies in the world of football.

Top Five Worst Own Goals in the History of Football

Andrés Escobar Saldarriaga’s Fateful Own Goal – The 1994 World Cup

Although Colombia entered the 1994 FIFA World Cup as one of the most dominant teams after their 5-0 victory over Argentina during the qualifiers, their group stage match against the United States proved to be a nightmare for the Colombian center-back Andrés Escobar. Escobar scored an own goal in the 34th minute of the match while he was trying to block a cross from U.S. midfielder John Hawkes.

Amdrés Escobar’s own goal gave a 1-0 lead to the U.S. team, and they ended up defeating the Colombian squad with a formidable score of 2-1. The aftermath of Colombia’s defeat turned out to be fateful for the 27-year-old Andrés Escobar as he was shot dead by a group of men outside a bar in his hometown Medellín. An “own goal” blunder on the football field took away the life of an iconic center-back, Andrés Escobar, and his brutal murder shocked the entire world.

Chris Brass’s Bizarre Own Goal – Darlington vs Bury, 2006

If you’re a football fan, you must agree with the fact that there’s nothing more emotionally draining than scoring an own goal for a football player – well, the second own goal in our list of top five worst own goals in the history of football made things even worse! The league two match between Darlington and Bury in 2006 was one of the most anticipated matches, but the 75th minute of the match altered the entire trajectory of the match and made it one-sided.

Bury’s defender Chris Brass attempted to kick the ball over his head in order to clear a cross from an opposition player from Darlington but ended up striking the ball in his own net, which gave Darlington an undeniable lead. Well, that surely was the turning point of the match as Darlington continued to maintain its dominance and ultimately defeated Bury by a 2-1 margin. Chris Brass’s own goal in the Darlington vs Bury match in 2006 where he broke his nose is still hailed as one of the most bizarre own goals in the history of football.

Mickaël Roche’s Shocking Own Goal – Nadi vs Tefena, 2016

Well, if you think that center-backs and defenders smash all own goals, let us take you on a whole different ride with our third most shocking and worst own goals in the history of football. The goalkeeper for Tefena, Mickaël Roche, scored an own goal during the 18th minute of the match between Nadi and Tefena in the 2016 OFC Champions League.

While handling a pass-back from one of his teammates, Mickaël Roche ended up kicking the ball inside his own net, giving Nadi a lead of 1-0 in the match. Well, the bizarre own goals from Mickaël Roche received a lot of backlash and insane criticism from the fans as it ultimately led Tefena to an upsetting defeat.

Jammie Pollock’s Terrible Own Goal – Manchester City vs Queens Park Rangers (QPR), 1998

Next, at the fourth spot in our list of top five worst own goals in the history of football, we have a terrible and one of the most shocking own goals from the legendary midfielder of Manchester City, Jammie Pollock.

The first half of the match was a tight battle that concluded on a 2-2 equalizer score and as the teams proceeded with the second half of the match, Jammie Pollock’s naive decision to block a pass from a player of QPR turned out to be a nightmare for the Manchester City squad as Jammie Pollock chested the ball down, and it shockingly ended into an own-goal.

Although the hardcore fans of Manchester City labeled it as “hard luck”, Jammie Pollock’s own goal ultimately led the match to be drawn, and Manchester City were relegated to the Second division, which served as a major shock to the fans and supporters of the club.

Lauren’s Infamous Own Goal – Manchester City vs Arsenal, 2003

Believe it or not, not every own goal leads the team to a humiliating defeat in a football match and Lauren’s infamous own goal during the Manchester City vs Arsenal in 2003 serves as prime evidence for the fact. During a thrilling match between Manchester City and Arsenal at Manchester City’s old stadium, Arsenal’s right-back Lauren unleashed a blunder and scored an own goal while attempting to block the cross and clear the ball.

Although Lauren’s infamous own goal gave Manchester City a lead of 1-0 in the match, Arsenal dominated the remaining match with its trailblazing streak of iconic goals from Patrick Vieira, Robert Pirès, Sol Campbell, and Dennis Bergkamp and ultimately defeated Manchester City with a formidable score of 5-1. Nonetheless, Lauren continued to be one of the most influential and formidable defenders for the Arsenal club throughout his tenure with the club.

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