Porto's Martim Fernandes made headlines with a bizarre own goal in the Europa League, but is it the worst of all time? We take a look at some of football's most infamous own goals and explore the impact they had on their respective matches.
The Own Goals That Left Their Mark
Lee Dixon v Coventry (1991): A long-range back pass went awry, with Dixon's ball sailing over Seaman's head and into the net. This own goal was a rare moment of disorganization for the usually formidable Arsenal defense.
Jamie Pollock v QPR (1998): Manchester City's Jamie Pollock attempted a clearance, but instead headed the ball over his own goalkeeper, putting City's opponents 2-1 up. This own goal had a significant impact on City's relegation fate.
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Chris Brass v Darlington (2006): A clearance attempt resulted in a collision with his own face, trickling past the goalkeeper. This own goal had an unexpected positive outcome, saving Brass from surgery.
Alisson Cassiano v Novorizontino (2024): A rare own goal without the opponent touching the ball. Cassiano's pass led to an own goal, showcasing the rare beauty of a defender's mistake.
The Impact of Own Goals
These own goals had varying impacts on their respective matches. While some were embarrassing moments for the players involved, others had surprising outcomes. The own goals in the Dixon-Coventry and Queudrue-Bastia matches, for instance, showcased the rare beauty of a defender's mistake, while the Pollock-QPR and Brass-Darlington own goals had unexpected positive consequences.
The Worst of the Worst?
Fernandes' own goal, while bizarre, may not be the worst of all time. The impact of an own goal on a match can vary, and sometimes, these moments can even have positive outcomes. However, it remains a memorable and embarrassing moment for Fernandes and Porto.
In conclusion, own goals are a part of football's rich history, and while they can be embarrassing, they can also have surprising and positive outcomes. It's these unique moments that make football such an unpredictable and captivating sport.
