Most Painful and Cringeworthy Penalty Kicks in Soccer History
A penalty kick is supposed to be straightforward. It’s just the player, one ball, and twelve yards to the goal post that has one keeper barely standing in the way. Yet soccer history is filled with instances where players turned that setup into an absolute disaster. These misfires are remembered for the cringe that never left them.
Roberto Baggio Misses In The World Cup Final
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Unknown author
Few missed penalties are remembered like Roberto Baggio’s in the 1994 World Cup final. Italy needed him to score against Brazil to stay alive, but he sent the ball high over the crossbar. The miss sealed Brazil’s win and turned Baggio’s name into a lasting symbol of heartbreak. The kick itself wasn’t terrible, but the timing was.
John Terry Slips In Moscow
Chelsea were on the verge of winning the Champions League in 2008. John Terry stepped up to take the decisive penalty against Manchester United, only to lose his footing as he connected with the ball. This opened the door for United to claim the title.
Asamoah Gyan Misses History
During the 2010 World Cup, Ghana stood one goal away from becoming the first African team to reach the semifinals. Asamoah Gyan’s penalty against Uruguay slammed off the crossbar in the final seconds of extra time. The match went to a shootout, which Ghana lost. His failure remains one of the most heartbreaking episodes in the tournament’s history.
Simone Zaza’s Bizarre Run-Up
In Euro 2016, Italy’s Simone Zaza produced a penalty that is still replayed as comedy. His stutter-step run-up lasted several seconds before he blasted the ball far over the bar against Germany. The miss was as much about the strange preparation as the wild shot.
Neymar Fires Into Orbit
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Alex Fau
In a 2012 friendly against Colombia, Neymar sent his penalty kick flying well over the bar. By then, he was already a rising Brazilian star, but the attempt looked like Sunday league. It had no consequences for the scoreline, but the clip made its way around the world for its sheer awkwardness.
Arsenal’s Botched Double Act
Robert Pires and Thierry Henry attempted an unusual pass penalty against Manchester City in 2005. Pires failed to strike the ball cleanly, thus leaving Henry stranded and the defense confused. Instead of recreating Johan Cruyff’s iconic routine, Arsenal ended up with one of the Premier League’s most embarrassing penalty attempts.
Pat Nevin Rolls One To The Keeper
Back in 1984, Chelsea’s Pat Nevin stepped up in the League Cup and produced what many still rank among the weakest penalties ever. His short run-up and tame strike crawled through the mud and into the goalkeeper’s hands. Commentators didn’t hold back in calling it one of the worst spot-kicks seen at the top level.
Ademola Lookman Goes Soft With A Panenka
Image via Wikimedia Commons/Steffen Prößdorf
Fulham trailed West Ham deep into stoppage time in 2020 when Ademola Lookman had a chance to equalize. Instead of striking firmly, he opted for a Panenka. The ball floated straight to the keeper before sealing a 1-0 defeat. The attempt was mocked widely as a reminder that theatrics at the penalty spot carry serious risks.
Bersant Celina Kicks The Wrong Ball
Swansea’s Bersant Celina produced an unforgettable miss in 2019. As he lined up to shoot, his standing foot clipped the ball before his swing. Instead of hitting the target, the ball rolled harmlessly sideways, cleared by the opposition.
Romario Baldé’s Slow Motion Miss
During a UEFA Youth League game in 2015, Benfica’s Romario Baldé attempted a Panenka against Shakhtar Donetsk. The goalkeeper dived the wrong way, but Baldé’s soft effort was so weak that the keeper had time to recover and save it easily.