Football is full of unforgettable moments, but some of the most shocking come when players score against their own team. Own goals can be the result of misjudgment, bad luck, or even moments of sheer absurdity. While some own goals are quickly forgotten, others become legendary for their impact on matches, tournaments, or even entire careers. In this list, bet win tips count down the top 10 worst own goals in football history, based on their embarrassment, significance, and entertainment value.
10. Festus Baise (2011) – Scorpion kick own goal
During a Hong Kong Premier League match between Sun Hei and Citizen AA, Festus Baise attempted to clear a cross but accidentally performed a spectacular scorpion kick that sent the ball flying into his own net. The goal was so perfectly executed that if it had been scored at the other end, it could have been a contender for goal of the season. Instead, it became one of the most bizarre and unfortunate own goals ever recorded.
Festus Baise’s mishap quickly went viral, with clips of the goal spreading across social media and football highlight reels worldwide. It became an unforgettable example of how football’s unpredictable nature can turn a routine defensive clearance into a moment of unintentional brilliance. Despite the unfortunate outcome, Baise’s acrobatic effort remains one of the most iconic own goals in football history, a testament to the sheer unpredictability and drama of the beautiful game.
9. Frank Sinclair (1999) – Backpass disaster
Leicester City’s Frank Sinclair had a moment of horror in a Premier League match against Middlesbrough when he attempted a simple backpass to his goalkeeper. Instead of a routine clearance, the ball took an awkward bounce and looped over his own keeper, rolling into the net. Sinclair developed a reputation for own goals, scoring multiple throughout his career, but this one remains his most infamous.
Despite these unfortunate moments, Sinclair enjoyed a respectable career, winning the League Cup with Leicester City and earning international caps for Jamaica. Yet, for many fans, his legacy remains tied to his uncanny knack for scoring in the wrong net, a reminder that even the best professionals can have moments they’d rather forget.
8. Chris Brass (2006) – Face rebound own goal
Bury’s Chris Brass attempted an overhead clearance in a lower-league match against Darlington, but instead of sending the ball away, he smashed it directly into his own face. The impact caused the ball to ricochet off his head and into the net, leaving both teams stunned. To make matters worse, Brass broke his nose in the process, making this one of the most painful own goals in football history.
Despite the embarrassment, Brass took the incident in stride, later joking about the mishap. While his playing career included over 300 appearances across the English lower leagues, this freak own goal remains his most well-known moment, a reminder of football’s unpredictable nature, where even the best intentions can go hilariously wrong.
7. Tony Popovic (2004) – Fancy flick gone wrong
Crystal Palace defender Tony Popovic tried to intercept a cross against Portsmouth but unintentionally flicked the ball past his own goalkeeper. The finish was so precise that it looked like a world-class striker had scored it. Unfortunately, it was in the wrong net, adding to Crystal Palace’s struggles in the Premier League that season. Even years later, fans still remember it as one of the most elegant own goals ever scored.
Despite the frustration at the time, the own goal has since gained a kind of cult status among football fans. Years later, highlight reels and social media clips still feature Popovic’s moment of accidental brilliance, often with admiration for just how well he executed the finish even if it was at the wrong end.
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6. Jamie Pollock (1998) – Accidental dribble into own net
Manchester City’s Jamie Pollock was trying to intercept a pass against Queens Park Rangers when he unintentionally flicked the ball over an opponent and then headed it into his own net. The goal was so ridiculous that it looked like an intentional piece of skill gone wrong. This worst own goals in football was particularly costly, as it played a role in City’s relegation from the second division, making it one of the most unfortunate in the club’s history.
Despite the mishap, Pollock remained a hard-working and respected player, but this moment followed him throughout his career. In later years, some QPR fans even jokingly credited him with helping their survival, humorously naming him their "Player of the Season." For Manchester City supporters, however, it was a painful reminder of the club’s struggles before their rise to dominance in modern football.
5. Andrés Escobar (1994) – The costliest own goal ever
During the 1994 FIFA World Cup, Colombian defender Andrés Escobar attempted to cut out a cross in a crucial match against the USA, but instead, he deflected the ball into his own net. Colombia was eliminated from the tournament as a result, but the tragedy did not end there. Days after returning home, Escobar was murdered, with many believing his own goal contributed to the motive. This remains the most tragic and significant own goal in football history.
Despite the tragic circumstances, Escobar’s legacy endures beyond that fateful own goal. He is remembered not for his mistake, but for his talent, leadership, and dignity on and off the field. His death led to widespread condemnation of violence in Colombian football, and to this day, fans and fellow players honor his memory, reminding the world that football, no matter how passionate, should never lead to such senseless tragedy.
4. Jonathan Walters (2013) – Two own goals & Missed penalty
Stoke City's Jonathan Walters had a game to forget against Chelsea, scoring two own goals in the same match before missing a penalty to make things even worse. Both own goals were the result of poor positioning, and his day went from bad to worse when he sent a penalty kick over the bar. This disastrous performance made Premier League history, and Walters later admitted it was one of the lowest points of his career.
This disastrous outing made Premier League history, as Walters became one of the few players to score two own goals in a single match. After the game, he admitted it was one of the lowest moments of his career. However, to his credit, he bounced back strongly, scoring twice in his next match to silence critics. Despite this forgettable day, Walters remained a respected and hardworking figure for Stoke, known for his resilience and determination.
3. Djimi Traoré (2005) - FA Cup disaster
Liverpool defender Djimi Traoré had an unforgettable moment in an FA Cup match against Burnley when he attempted to clear the ball but lost his balance. Instead of clearing it, he ended up backheeling the ball into his own net, eliminating Liverpool from the competition. This mistake haunted him for years, despite later becoming a Champions League winner with the club in 2005.
The own goal became infamous, with fans and pundits replaying the blunder for years. Despite the humiliation, Traoré redeemed himself by playing a role in Liverpool’s legendary 2005 Champions League triumph. However, the backheel own goal remains a defining moment of his career, one that he has since embraced with humor, proving that even the best players have their off days.
2. Lee Dixon (1991) – Perfect long-Range chip own goal
Arsenal’s Lee Dixon attempted a long-range backpass to goalkeeper David Seaman in a match against Coventry City but miscalculated the power and placement. The ball soared perfectly over Seaman’s head and into the net, resembling an intentional lobbed goal. This embarrassing moment became one of the most replayed own goals in Arsenal’s history and remains one of the greatest unintended finishes of all time.
Despite the humiliation, Dixon remained an integral part of Arsenal’s legendary defense under George Graham and later Arsène Wenger. He went on to enjoy a highly successful career, winning multiple league titles, FA Cups, and even the Cup Winners’ Cup. However, no matter how many trophies he lifted, this moment continued to follow him, serving as a reminder that even the best defenders can have their off days.
1. Vincent Kompany (2014) – Manchester Derby nightmare
Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany, known for his defensive leadership, made a disastrous mistake in a crucial Manchester Derby against Manchester United. While attempting to clear the ball, he completely sliced it, sending it spinning into his own net. His mistake proved costly as United capitalized on it to take control of the game. Given the high stakes of a derby, this worst own goals in football history remains one of the most painful moments of Kompany’s otherwise illustrious career.
Given the intensity and high stakes of the derby, this own goal became one of the most painful moments in Kompany’s otherwise stellar career. Known for his leadership, composure, and ability to rise in big moments, this rare lapse stood out as a stark contrast to his usual brilliance. However, despite this setback, Kompany remained a City legend, later leading the club to multiple Premier League titles and delivering iconic moments that far overshadowed this unfortunate mistake.
Conclusion
Own goals are a part of football, but some become legendary due to their sheer absurdity, impact, or tragic consequences. From scorpion kicks to backpasses gone horribly wrong, these worst own goals in football history moments remind us of football’s unpredictability. While these players might not want to remember these goals, fans will never forget them.
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