Troost Ekong’s Blunder Revives Memories of Famous Tournament Own Goals | OneFootball

6 High Stakes Own Goals in Africa & Europe

Troost Ekong’s Blunder Revives Memories of Famous Tournament Own Goals

Nigeria’s captain William Troost Ekong experienced every defender’s worst nightmare when he turned the ball into his own net on 25 minute before Calvin Bassey levelled keeping qualification on knife edge.

The error put the Super Eagles under heavy pressure in decisive clash that could shape their World cup journey.

The weight of single mistake

Football history's full of dramatic moments where single misplaced touch turned into disaster. An own goal at the wrong time cannot only decide matches but also alter the destiny of entire nations in major tournaments.

A cagey tie exploded in extra time when Bronn diverted free kick into his own net (100) sending Senegal to the final. One of AFCON 2019’s defining moments.

Seconds after the restart, Fathi’s attempted clearance beat his own keeper to open the scoring. Russia won 3 - 1 .. a result that effectively ended Egypt’s World cup hopes.

Boye sliced dangerous cross into his own net , Ghana eventually lost 2 - 1 and exited the tournament.

Mandi’s own goal put Tunisia on course for 2 - 1 win in clash that proved decisive in Algeria’s early elimination.

Europe: Own Goals That Shaped the Biggest Stages

Mandzukic’s header into his own net put France ahead triumph in Moscow. He later redeemed himself by scoring for Croatia in the 69 minute but his earlier own goal'd already shifted the momentum & paved the way for France’s 4 - 2 triumph.

A fizzed cross forced Hummels into difficult clearance that flew past Neuer. France won 1 - 0 in Munich and Germany’s path through brutal group got even trickier.

When One Mistake Defines the Journey

From AFCON knockouts to the World cup Final, the examples above show how split second touch can ripple through history.

As the qualifiers continue .. Nigeria will hope this nightmare becomes just footnote , not the turning point in their World cup dream.