From Own Goals to Missed Penalties: The World Cup’s Unforgettable Blunders

The FIFA World Cup crowns legends and ignites national pride. Yet some moments live in infamy for the errors and controversies they sparked. In 1994, Colombia’s Andrés Escobar scored an own goal and suffered a tragic fate soon after. That same tournament saw Italy’s Roberto Baggio miss a decisive penalty against Brazil. Diego Maradona’s “Hand of God” in 1986 and Frank Lampard’s disallowed goal in 2010 intensified calls for better officiating. Risky plays by René Higuita in 1990 and Robert Green’s fumble in 2010 became instant classics of heartbreak. Ghana’s Asamoah Gyan struck the woodwork instead of the net in 2010. Even referee Graham Poll made history by booking a player three times in one match.

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