Is there anything more embarrassing than scoring an own goal? Probably not.
Sometimes they can’t be helped, a deflection or attempted clearance will leave the player feeling red-faced but with sympathy from all.
However, over the years there have been a number of own goals that have literally left fans, players and managers all thinking “What were they thinking?”
From overhit back-passes, to unnecessary clearances, we’ve seen it all, so we’ve put together a list of the most insane own goals in the professional game.
Sammy Ndjock
In a pre-season friendly against Bournemouth, Minnesota United goalkeeper Sammy Ndjock could have been investigated for match-fixing, after his hilarious own goal from his own throw.
Everything seemed to be fine when Cameroonian goalkeeper collected the ball, but he totally misjudged his throw out to his defence and ending up sending the ball into his own net.
His attempts to stop the ball from rolling in the net just added to the comedy.
Franck Queudrue
Middlesbrough fans will remember Franck Queudrue and his wonderful left foot, but before he arrived in the north-west, he played for Lens in Ligue 1.
Maybe it was actually his incredible 40-yard own goal in 2001 that caught Boro’s eye. With the ball in absolutely no danger of going towards his team’s goal, Queudrue attempted a huge clearance up field but ended up kicking the ball the wrong way.
If it had been up the other end, it would have easily been considered for the FIFA Puskas award that year.
Tony Popovic
Just think Olivier Giroud’s Puskas winning flick in 2017 but in the wrong goal.
Standing on the edge of the six-yard box, Crystal Palace’s Tony Popovic attempted to clear Portsmouth’s Steve Stone’s ball into the box.
Being unbalanced meant Popovic hilariously send his clearance into the top corner.
Geoffrey Kondogbia
In 2017, Chelsea and Inter Milan met in Singapore for a pre-season friendly, games that usually lack excitement.
Thankfully, Inter midfielder Geoffrey Kondogbia was on hand to provide the entertainment as he lobbed his own goalkeeper from 45-yards with a terribly misjudged backpass.
Michael Proctor
In 2003, Sunderland lost 3-1 at home to Charlton Athletic in the Premier League, but actually scored all four goals.
Three own goals in seven first half minutes gave the Black Cats a huge mountain to climb. It’s hard to choose which of the three was the worst as they all had huge comedic value.
But Michael Proctor gets our vote, as he managed to score twice in his own net.
Lee Dixon
Before David Seaman was lobbed by Brazil’s Ronaldinho in the 2002 World Cup, the England keeper had been on the receiving end of an even more embarrassing moment, thanks to his team mate Lee Dixon.
In a home game against Coventry in 1991, the right-back collected the ball and looked to safely send the ball back to his keeper, what he achieved was an overhit back-pass/lob to Seaman who was standing on the edge of his six yard box!
Djimi Traore
Poor Djimi Traore wasn’t exactly the most loved player at Liverpool during his seven year spell at the club, especially after his horrendous own goal against Burnley in the third round of the FA Cup in 2005.
It ended up being the only goal of the game and sent Liverpool out of the competition.