Football not only witnesses glorious moments but also tragicomic situations that make fans laugh or regret. Of these, own goals are always the most memorable moments, when a player accidentally becomes the “goal scorer” for the opponent. Some own goals are just small accidents, but there are own goals that become disasters, seriously affecting the results of the match or even the team’s entire season. Below, Bestsoccertips shares the players with the worst own goals in football, from silly handling to incredibly funny moments.
Top 10 players with worst own goals in football
Top 10: Jamie Pollock (Manchester City v QPR, 1998)
Scoring an own goal is something no player wants to do, but some can be truly disastrous, affecting the entire season. One of the worst own goals in history was scored by Jamie Pollock in a match between Manchester City and QPR in 1998. In an attempt to block the ball, Pollock cleverly flicked the ball over his opponent’s head but accidentally headed it straight into his own net. The mistake cost City vital points and sent them down to the third division, a huge shock to fans.
This tragicomic own goal has not only become the subject of ridicule but is also seen as the moment that changed Man City’s fortunes. Goalkeeper Martyn Margetson watched helplessly as the ball flew into the net, while Pollock became the focus of criticism. However, looking back 24 years later, Man City have not only recovered but also risen to become one of the strongest teams in the world, turning this terrible moment into a part of their ups and downs history.
Top 9: Mohammad Shatnawi (Al-Wehdat vs Al-Faisaly, 2015)
In the match between Al-Wehdat and Al-Faisaly in 2015, goalkeeper Mohammad Shatnawi created one of the strangest own goals in football history. When faced with a not-so-dangerous ball, instead of simply clearing the ball out or shooting over the goal line, Shatnawi chose to hook the ball over his head, sending the ball straight into the empty net. This move not only stunned his teammates but also became one of the most unbelievable moments in Jordanian football.
Shatnawi’s unforgettable mistake caused Al-Faisaly to concede a goal in a way that no one expected. Even after watching it over and over again, fans still couldn’t figure out what the goalkeeper was thinking. This iconic own goal earned him a lot of criticism and became one of the funniest own goals ever seen in football.
Top 8: Santiago Vergini (Southampton vs Sunderland, 2014)
Santiago Vergini left a memorable mark in Sunderland’s 0-8 defeat to Southampton in October 2014. In the opening minutes of the match, the Argentine centre-back probably intended to clear the ball, but his shot was so perfect that it went straight into the bottom corner of the Sunderland goal, completely defeating his teammate’s goalkeeper. This move not only opened the “Black Cats” nightmare but also became one of the most beautiful and worst own goals in Premier League history.
Vergini’s mistake reflected the weakness of Sunderland in that match. They could not recover from the early goal and continued to collapse under Southampton’s attack. The 0-8 defeat was one of the heaviest defeats in the club’s history and Vergini’s “lifetime” goal will certainly be mentioned as a symbol of this unforgettable match.
Top 7: Frank Queudrue (Lens vs Bastia, 2001)
Frank Queudrue had a memorable moment while playing for Lens against Bastia in 2001. Suffering from a foot injury, the defender attempted to clear the ball forward to clear the danger. However, instead of sending the ball away, his powerful shot took an incredible trajectory, looping back and flying straight into his own net. The goalkeeper could only watch helplessly as the harmless clearance turned into a memorable own goal.
Quaudrue not only had to endure the physical pain, but also had to deal with the irony of the situation. His own goal became one of the funniest moments in French football history, proving that luck is sometimes not on a player’s side. Although Queudrue later went on to have an impressive career at Middlesbrough, this moment remains an unforgettable moment in his career.
Top 6: Wayne Hatswell (Forest Green vs Morecambe, 2001)
Wayne Hatswell scored one of the worst own goals in FA Cup history when Forest Green faced Morecambe in 2001. In what seemed like a harmless situation, the defender inexplicably kicked the ball straight into his own net just inches from the goal line. The moment not only stunned his teammates but also nearly ended Forest Green’s hopes of progressing further in the competition.
The Forest Green goalkeeper could only hold his head in his hands, his reaction saying everything about how disastrous the own goal was. While the FA Cup offers a huge financial opportunity for lower-league clubs, Hatswell’s mistake turned a dream into a nightmare. The own goal has since become one of the funniest and most memorable moments in the competition’s history.
Top 5: Mickael Roche (Nadi vs Tefana, 2016)
Mickael Roche had a moment to forget in the match between Tefana and Nadi in the OFC Champions League 2016. Although his team won 6-1, the own goal that Roche “assist” for the opponent still became the focus of attention. In a situation where there was not much pressure, Roche received the ball from a teammate on the edge of the penalty area. However, instead of clearing the ball or passing it to a teammate, the goalkeeper made a strange move, sending the ball straight into his own empty net.
This strange move left fans and commentators in disbelief. Even when watching the replay, it was difficult to understand what Roche was trying to do. Although the goal did not affect the final result, it is still one of the worst own goals in football history, making Roche the main character in a move that he certainly does not want to remember.
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Top 4: Tony Popovic (Portsmouth vs Crystal Palace, 2004)
Former Australian international defender Tony Popovic had the most memorable moment of his career when he accidentally scored an own goal during the match between Crystal Palace and Portsmouth. The incident started when Portsmouth midfielder Steve Stone made a pass from the right wing into the penalty area with the intention of creating a chance for a teammate. Popovic, with his experience and defensive instincts, immediately moved to block the danger. However, instead of clearing the ball safely, he took a touch with his right foot in an attempt to send the ball away from goal.
What no one expected was that the move turned into a beautiful goal… but into his own net. The ball took a perfect trajectory, swerving over goalkeeper Julian Speroni’s head and into the corner of the net, leaving everyone on the pitch stunned. Speroni, despite his reflexes, was completely unable to block it. He could only watch helplessly as the ball slowly flew into the net, leaving the Palace defence in a state of shock.
Top 3: Adrien Gulfo (Pully Football vs FC Renes, 2017)
Adrien Gulfo, a little-known player from the Swiss sixth tier, unexpectedly became an internet sensation thanks to an incredible own goal in a match between Pully Football and FC Renens in 2017. In what seemed like an innocuous situation, Gulfo took a slightly strong first touch, but instead of clearing the ball safely, he performed a spectacular overhead kick – only the ball flew straight into his own net with perfect accuracy.
The moment was both beautiful and defied the laws of physics, leaving fans in disbelief at what they had just witnessed. Gulfo’s move quickly went viral, not because of his technical brilliance, but because of the irony of what was supposed to be a classy save ending up as a perfect own goal. If there was an award for “best own goal”, Gulfo would surely be a frontrunner.
Top 2: Chris Brass (Darlington vs Bury, 2006)
Chris Brass suffered one of the most painful own goals in football history when Bury faced Darlington in 2006. In an attempt to clear the ball, the defender tried to clear it, but his shot hit him straight in the face and bounced back into his own net in the most ironic way. Not only did the home team concede a goal, Brass also broke his nose in the process, turning the situation into a double disaster.
Brass’s fatal mistake quickly became one of the funniest own goals in English football history. Not only because of the tragic goal, but also because of the way the ball went straight from the shot to the face and into the net, leaving both teammates and opponents in disbelief. A move that was both physically painful and haunted Brass’ career.
Top 1: Festus Baise (Hong Kong FC vs Sun Hei, 2011)
Sun Hei defender Baise scored one of the most incredible own goals in football history against Hong Kong FC. Under no pressure from the opposition, he had time to deal with a low-risk pass from Jack Sealy. However, instead of simply clearing the ball, Baise performed a reckless scorpion kick – and the result left the entire team holding their heads in regret.
The ball curled into the far corner, turning a weak Hong Kong FC attack into an unbelievable goal. If a striker had scored this way, it would have been a masterpiece. But when it came from a defender who was trying to clear the ball, it became one of the most unrealistic own goals fans have ever seen.
In Conclusion
Mistakes are an inevitable part of football, but worst own goals in football are always moments that both players and fans cannot forget. Whether by accident or due to bad decisions, these own goals have become a part of football history, mentioned not only for their irony but also for their unbelievable level. With the development of technology and social media, these situations will be remembered forever, reminding every player that just a moment of carelessness can make them the main character in one of the world’s worst own goals.
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