There have been numerous goalkeeping gaffes over the years and we have taken a look at five of the worst errors of all time.
By Thomas Hill
5) Rob Green vs USA
The former Norwich City and West Ham United goalkeeper is now happily retired, but he may still have nightmares about his error in the 2010 World Cup.
He was picked as England’s No.1 but was soon dropped after he somehow let Clint Dempsey’s daisycutter slip past him and into the goal, with the match finishing 1-1.
Green was dropped from the first team after that match and although England managed to finish second in the group, they were soon knocked out in the last 16 by old rivals Germany.
4) Peter Enckleman vs Birmingham
Any game between Aston Villa and Birmingham City is intense and players can find it tough to handle the occasion, which was exactly the case for Enckleman nearly two decades ago.
The former Finland international was between the sticks in 2002 when team-mate Olof Mellberg played the ball back to him from a throw-in.
Mellberg’s delivery looked easy enough to handle but Enckleman, who left Villa in 2004, allowed the ball to trickle under his foot and into the back of the net, leaving him crestfallen in front of the Blues’ supporters.
3) Shay Given vs Coventry
The former Republic Of Ireland international enjoyed a stellar career in the top flight, starring for Newcastle United and Manchester City.
However, the shot-stopper is still remembered for a calamitous error against Coventry in 1997. Given did brilliantly well to catch a cross but he failed to realise Dion Dublin was lurking behind him.
Given proceeded to drop the ball in front of him before being dispossessed by Dublin, who tapped into the empty net. From that moment on, the keeper was always cautious to check if there were any players waiting behind to catch him out again.
2) Rene Higuita vs Cameroon
Higuita is known around the world for his famous ‘scorpion kick’, but he had to bounce back from a massive error in 1990.
He decided to abandon his goal and try his hand as a temporary centre-back, only to then fall over and allow Cameroon striker Roger Milla in to score.
It was a disastrous moment for Higuita but that didn’t stop his flamboyant style in between the sticks and, to be honest, we wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.
1) Loris Karius vs Real Madrid
Karius was given a chance to play in the 2018 Champions League final against Spanish giants Madrid.
Any joy and happiness was soon replaced by shame as he made two gigantic errors in Kiev. Karius’ first error saw him roll the ball into Karim Benzema, who then fired home.
He then mishandled Gareth Bale’s long-range strike, effectively punching the ball into the net as Liverpool ended up losing the final.