Cristiano Ronaldo & Lionel Messi Miss Penalty in 2018 FIFA World Cup are Not The Only Greats, Here are 5 Heartbreaking Videos of Costly Misses in Football WC History
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will go down in history books as perhaps the only World Cup where two of the greatest active players missed penalty in the group stage. Penalties are like a double edged sword, and a lose lose situation: If you score, they are easy; if you miss they are easy.
When Lionel Messi missed the penalty in the Argentina vs Iceland group stage game in the 2018 FIFA World Cup, the world of Messi fans' came crumbling down. It also raised questions on the Barcelona great's ability to perform just as well for his country as his club. Comparisons were made between him and his equally famous and even more prolific contemporary, Cristiano Ronaldo. But on Monday, in the last group contest for Portugal against Iran, the Real Madrid superstar, who just days ago seemed immortal when he scored a hattrick against Spain and became the oldest player to do so, also missed a penalty which made the Iranian goalkeeper Alireza Beiranvand a superstar.
Inspired by these misses, we compile a list of five such penalty chances which not only shocked the world but also proved mighty costly for their teams. Here we go:
1. Roberto Baggio - Italy vs Brazil, World Cup 1994:
"Baggio is one of the greatest players to have graced the field but it's kinda sad that most of the people remember him for this penalty miss," said one of the comments below this video. This statement may be sad, but it is equally true:
2. Zico- Brazil vs France, World Cup 1986
Zico missed the penalty in the 1986 World Cup, but history will never let him forget it. Watch the video to believe it for yourself:
3. Micheal Platini- France vs Brazil, World Cup 1986
Micheal Platini shocked the world when he missed this penalty. And he realized why it's called a 'Penalty.'
4. Asamoah Gyan - Uruguay vs Ghana,World Cup 2010
This was a memorable match which should be remembered for more reasons than one. But none have proved to be the biggest than this missed penalty by Gyan:
5. Lionel Messi- Argentina vs Iceland, 2018 World Cup
"In Iceland, they should build a statue for the goalkeeper" said one of the comments. Iceland would completely agree:
The 2018 FIFA World Cup will go down in history books as perhaps the only World Cup where two of the greatest active players missed penalty in the group stage. Penalties are like a double edged sword. And a lose lose situation: If you score, they are easy; if you miss- you are a fallen hero, forever.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Jun 26, 2018 06:17 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).