In football, clear scoring opportunities are always important moments that can change the outcome of the match. However, even the best players sometimes make unbelievable mistakes in front of an open goal. Missing open goals not only makes the team lose the advantage but also becomes a haunting moment in the player’s career. Below, Bestsoccertips shares the top 7 worst open goal misses, marking unforgettable mistakes on the field.
Top 7 worst open goal misses
In football, besides beautiful goals, there are also many unbelievable missed opportunities that have left fans stunned. Below are the top 7 worst missed scoring opportunities that have ever happened on the field.
Top 7: Alvaro Morata (Chelsea vs. Arsenal, 2018)
Alvaro Morata, signed by Chelsea from Real Madrid for £60 million in 2017, was expected to become the club’s main striker at Stamford Bridge. However, his tenure became more memorable for his costly misses. One of his most forgettable moments occurred during a 2-2 draw against Arsenal in the Premier League on January 3, 2018. In the 14th minute, Morata received a perfect through ball from Cesc Fàbregas. Despite being one-on-one with goalkeeper Petr Čech, his shot inexplicably missed the target.
Morata’s misfortune continued in the second half, where he missed two more clear-cut chances, costing Chelsea a win despite leading twice. These repeated failures raised doubts about his composure and finishing ability. His inconsistent form eventually led to his departure, and in January 2019, he returned to La Liga, joining Atlético Madrid on loan before making the move permanent.
Top 6: Ronny Rosenthal (Liverpool vs. Aston Villa, 1992)
Ronny Rosenthal is an Israeli player who scored many important goals for Liverpool. However, his name is associated with one of the most memorable misses in Premier League history. In the match against Aston Villa on September 19, 1992, Rosenthal had a great chance to get on the scoresheet. After taking advantage of a mistake by the opposing defender, he got past goalkeeper Nigel Spink and faced an empty goal. But Rosenthal’s shot hit the crossbar, leaving Liverpool fans stunned.
This miss not only cost Liverpool the chance to equalize the score but also turned Rosenthal into a symbol of lack of concentration. Despite his important contributions to the “Reds”, that missed moment became an unforgettable mark in his career. This situation is still mentioned as a classic example of how no opportunity is too easy without precision and composure.
Top 5: Raheem Sterling (Manchester City vs. Lyon, Champions League 2020)
Raheem Sterling, a key player under Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, is also known for some unbelievable misses. In the 2019/2020 Champions League quarter-final against Lyon, Sterling had a perfect chance to keep City’s hopes alive. In the 86th minute, with City trailing 2-1, Gabriel Jesus delivered a precise cross to Sterling, who stood unmarked in front of an open goal. To the shock of his teammates and fans, his shot flew over the crossbar.
A minute later, Lyon capitalized on a defensive error to score their third goal, sealing a 3-1 victory and eliminating City. This miss became one of the most memorable blunders in Champions League history, raising concerns about Sterling’s composure under pressure. Despite his impressive speed and technical skills, this moment highlighted how even elite players can falter in critical situations.
Top 4: Yakubu Aiyegbeni (Nigeria vs. South Korea, World Cup 2010)
The World Cup is always a tournament that brings unforgettable moments, and unfortunately for Yakubu Aiyegbeni, one of the most outstanding moments of his career was an unbelievable miss. In the group stage match between Nigeria and South Korea at the 2010 World Cup, Nigeria had to win to keep their hopes of reaching the round of 16 alive. In the 66th minute, from a perfect cross from his teammate, Yakubu was standing just 2 meters from an empty goal, a perfect opportunity. However, his touch went wide, leaving the team and fans shocked.
Although Yakubu later equalized from the penalty spot in the 69th minute, the result was not enough to help Nigeria advance from the group stage. Yakubu’s miss quickly became the focus of criticism and is considered one of the most unbelievable mistakes in World Cup history. This situation not only caused Nigeria to stop early but also clearly demonstrated that even the most obvious opportunities can be lost under the fierce pressure of the biggest playground on the planet.
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Top 3: Fernando Torres (Chelsea vs. Manchester United, 2011)
Fernando Torres was a penalty box killer when he played for Liverpool, but his time at Chelsea was filled with inexplicable misses. One of his most memorable moments came in a match against Manchester United at Old Trafford on September 18, 2011. This was a match in the 5th round of the 2011/2012 Premier League season, where Chelsea struggled against the strength of their opponents.
In the 83rd minute, when Chelsea were trailing 3-1, Torres had a golden opportunity to reduce the score. After a beautiful combination, he skillfully passed goalkeeper David de Gea and faced an empty goal. However, in a situation that seemed impossible to miss, Torres’ left-footed shot went wide of the post, leaving the entire stadium stunned. The mistake became emblematic of Torres’ decline at Chelsea, demonstrating how pressure can cause even the most elite strikers to lose their touch at crucial moments.
Top 2: Chris Iwelumo (Scotland vs. Norway, 2008)
Chris Iwelumo had a golden opportunity to be Scotland’s hero in a 2010 World Cup qualifier against Norway on 11 October 2008. Coming off the bench, Iwelumo had the chance to score the winning goal just minutes after his introduction. In the 57th minute, from a perfect cross from Gary Naysmith, he needed only one touch to put Scotland ahead. However, in an incredible incident, Iwelumo’s close-range tap in went wide of the post when the goal was wide open.
The mistake cost Scotland a vital win at Hampden Park, and the match ended in a 0-0 draw. The result left Scotland in a difficult position in their quest to qualify for the 2010 World Cup. Iwelumo’s miss quickly became the focus of criticism and was referred to as one of the worst misses in international football history, overshadowing his national team debut.
Top 1: Freddie Ljungberg (Arsenal vs. Bolton, 2003)
One of the open goal misses by famous players in Premier League history belongs to Freddie Ljungberg in the match between Arsenal and Bolton Wanderers on 26 April 2003. This was a decisive match in the title race between Arsenal and Manchester United in the 2002/2003 season. The Gunners needed a win to maintain their hopes of defending their title, but their wasted chances cost them dearly.
In the 89th minute, with the score at 2-2, Thierry Henry made a perfect cross, allowing Ljungberg to finish into a nearly empty goal. However, at the crucial moment, the Swedish midfielder’s shot flew unbelievably over the crossbar, leaving Arsenal fans speechless. This draw cost Arsenal the right to decide and opened up the opportunity for Manchester United to overtake and win the championship. Ljungberg’s miss is still mentioned as one of the worst mistakes, indirectly costing Arsenal the chance to defend the Premier League title.
To Wrap It Up
The worst open goal misses in football history are not only a nightmare for players but also a lesson in concentration and courage under pressure. Situations that seem easy can become unforgettable mistakes, affecting the outcome of the match and the player’s reputation. However, from those misses, many players have learned from their experiences, strived to improve themselves and continued to contribute to football. Thank you for following our article!
