The World Cup is loved for the glorious goals on show but it has witnessed its fair share of incredible misses. Goal runs down the best of the latter
Getty10Rob Rensenbrink | Netherlands | 1978
After losing the 1974 final to West Germany, an iconic Netherlands team returned to the big stage four years later desperate to wipe away the title as the best team never to have won the tournament.
Once again, however, Oranje met the host nation at the final hurdle and saw their dream snatched away from them.
Argentina took a first-half lead, but the Dutch pulled level in 82 minutes to turn the momentum of the game and almost rode the wave to victory in the last minute when Rob Rensenbrink chased down the ball in the box and knocked it past goalkeeper Ubaldo Fillol. Dutch hearts skipped a beat as it bounced towards goal, but the effort hit the post and the Argentine defence cleared the danger.
The match went into extra time, where the South Americans scored two more to win the crown.
AdvertisementGetty9Chris Waddle | England | 1990
England’s best performance at the World Cup since winning came to an excruciating end when West Germany sent them crashing out on penalties.
The Three Lions put in a solid display in the semi-final and were worthy of Gary Lineker’s 80th minute equaliser took the game into extra-time and then penalties.
The first six penalties were converted, but Stuart Pearce saw his effort saved, allowing the Germans to take the lead through Olaf Thon.
It came down to Chris Waddle to save England’s chances, but the winger sent his effort over the bar, sending the Germans through to the final, where they beat Argentina 1-0.
Getty8Gonzalo Higuain | Argentina | 2014
Gonzalo Higuain could hardly believe his luck when a golden opportunity bounced into his path 20 minutes into the World Cup final in 2014. The Argentina striker was still far behind the Germany defence and heading back onside before Toni Kroos’ misjudged header sparked him into action.
Higuain ran onto it and was free of the chasing defenders as he set himself up to smash it towards goal, but he must have felt he should have taken a touch as his mis-hit went bouncing wide of Manuel Neuer’s goal.
Albiceleste team-mates Lionel Messi and Rodrigo Palacio would go on to miss great chances of their own later in the game, but Higuain’s inability to score on big occasions quickly made him a target of criticism.
Getty7Pele | Brazil | 1970
Pele is credited with over 1200 goals in a career that cemented him as one of the best players football has ever seen, yet one of his most iconic moments was a glaring miss in the 1970 World Cup.
It was a moment of pure genius from the Brazilian as he galloped on to Tostao’s pass, but instead of taking a touch around encroaching goalkeeper Ladislao Mazurkiewicz, Pele deceived him with a dummy and ran around to meet it on the other side. The attacker scooped the ball towards goal, but saw it bounce just past the post.
As Brazil were already 3-1 up and went on to win the tournament, it was no decisive miss, yet it has gone down as one of the greatest goals that never was and an iconic moment in World Cup history.