Although it may not seem like it at first glance, football is not just a ball game with the goal of scoring or, conversely, stopping as many balls as possible. During matches, various situations arise that can shake the souls of players and fans alike. Let's take a look at the delicate moments that have made a significant mark in football history.
Harald Schumacher: A controversial moment at the 1982 World Cup
One of the more controversial incidents occurred at the World Cup in Spain in 1982 during a clash between German goalkeeper Harald Schumacher and French forward Patrick Battiston.
An overview of the situation and reactions following Schumacher's mistake
As soon as forward Battiston received a pass from his teammate Platini, he sent the ball just past the goal. At that moment, however, the tall goalkeeper Harald Schumacher was charging towards him and instead of going for the ball, he leaped towards Battiston. He struck the forward in the head and chest with such force that the player collapsed to the ground.
Schumacher acted ruthlessly, as he didn't even try to help his fellow player, which sparked a wave of outrage and criticism. While Battiston lay unconscious with broken ribs and knocked-out teeth, the goalkeeper impatiently waited for the goal kick. The peak of the moment can be considered the referee's approach, who did not classify the situation as a foul because he simply did not see it due to focusing on the ball.
The impact of the incident on Schumacher's career
For a long time, the goalkeeper faced the discontent of fans, who saw him as an arrogant player willing to go over corpses. In France, he was regarded as a pathological aggressor, whose behavior sparked anti-German waves. German Chancellor Helmut Schmidt and French President Francois Mitterrand tried to ease the situation with their statement.
Only later did Harald Schumacher, who despite his unpleasant reputation earned the title of Germany's best footballer, apologize to his opponent. He expressed regret for his actions and admitted the fear he actually felt.
Roberto Baggio: The penalty kick incident at the 1994 World Cup
The top football representative began his professional career at just under sixteen years old. He was one of the top forwards for whom clubs were willing to pay a significant amount of money. Although his career was on the rise, one moment at the 1994 World Cup brought sadness and disappointment. Baggio's mistake during the penalty kick cost Italy the title.
What actually happened?
The match between Italy and Brazil at the World Cup in the USA was to be decided by a penalty shootout, which was taken by forward Roberto Baggio. And even though fans hoped and probably believed in success, the player shot over the goal, sending the ball high above it instead. After the kick, the forward stood with his head down, and the helplessness on his face was palpable. This moment went down in the history of Italian football as one of the most painful.
Baggio's reaction and how he learned from this mistake
From the forward's reaction, it was clear from the start how much the whole thing hurt him. He himself admitted years later that this moment influenced him for his entire life, and not a day goes by that he doesn't think about it.
However, he showed strong mental resilience, which is so important for athletes and gives them the motivation to perform better. Despite the heavy burden on his soul, he later stepped up to take a penalty kick and scored.
He even utilized his unfortunate episode in an advertisement for whiskey Johnnie Walker, through which he promotes the message that one must move forward even in the face of adversity.
Robert Green: The unforgettable mistake of 2010
Football goalkeeper Robert Green is another player who experienced his darkest moments on the football field. His mistake at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa still resonates in the minds of football fans and perhaps even his teammates.
Details of Robert Green's mistake at the World Cup in South Africa
In the 40th minute, just before halftime, when England was leading against the USA, a shocking moment occurred. After forward Dempsey fired a shot on goal, the English goalkeeper was at the ball in time and it seemed he would catch it. However, the opposite was true. The ball slipped from his hands and rolled over the goal line. The score of the match did not change in the second half, and Green's mistake became a hot topic across the media.
How did Robert Green's mistake affect his career?
The blunder followed the goalkeeper for a long time afterward. The first consequence was the loss of a winning point, followed by condemnation from fans, and he was even sidelined by the coach from matches. Last but not least, the unfortunate incident was hard for the goalkeeper himself to recover from, as he felt, in his own words, as if he had sunk the entire country.
Due to the dismissive or even hateful attitude of the fans, the goalkeeper's mental state suffered. In response, the club decided on a rather unconventional mental training approach. Teammates were simply ordered to bully the goalkeeper, humiliate him, mock him, and create a very uncomfortable environment for him. According to the coaches, it was the only way to mentally strengthen him against the attacks from fans.
Whether it worked is another question. However, Green's blunder affected the rest of his career. After the World Cup, he was called up to the national team only a few times and never regained his top spot as goalkeeper.
England and the curse of goalkeepers?
Robert Green is by no means the only one to have made such a needless mistake. There are even speculations about a curse on English goalkeepers. Among other companions who let the ball slip “between the fingers” are David Seaman, David James, Scott Carson, and the legendary Paul Robinson, who let a ball from a teammate slip.
Loris Karius: Mistakes in the Champions League in 2018
The German goalkeeper went through “hell” during the Champions League final in 2018. As a result of two major mistakes, he sank Liverpool and helped Real Madrid secure their third consecutive victory.
An overview of the goalkeeper's mistakes at the end of the Champions League match
The first mistake came in the 51st minute of the match when Karius, while clearing the ball, directly passed it to Karim Benzema. He then just watched as the ball rolled into the goal.
The second mistake occurred in the 83rd minute when the goalkeeper failed to catch a long-range shot from Gareth Bale from nearly forty meters, and the ball slipped into the net. Real Madrid won 3-1 that day, and Loris Karius was in tears.
How did Karius try to regain the trust of fans and coaches?
After the match, a storm broke out. The goalkeeper faced a massive wave of criticism and intolerance. And even though he apologized, his tears and subsequent confirmation of a mild concussion caused by a blow to the head from another player did not soften the merciless eyes of the football public. Death threats were also made.
The development of the goalkeeper's career slowed down after the two incidents. He moved from place to place, but his talent never fully ignited anywhere.
Last year, he transferred to Newcastle, where coach Eddie Howe put him in goal after 728 days. This gave him a chance for a fresh start and to turn around his football fate. However, the victory ultimately went to rival Manchester United, thwarting the hopes of both Newcastle and their goalkeeper.
Fernando Muslera: The mistake at the 2018 World Cup
Among the many goalkeepers who have faced unpleasant and fatal blunders on the football field is Fernando Muslera. The Uruguayan goalkeeper's mistake had a significant impact on the outcome of the quarterfinal match at the 2018 World Cup against France.
Why didn't the goalkeeper save the shot?
The match between France and Uruguay was tied until the 61st minute. French midfielder Antoine Griezmann then took a shot that was, as expected, easily catchable given its direction. Muslera jumped to intercept it, but he deflected the shot with his hands behind him, and the ball ended up in the net. France's victory could not be overturned afterward.
Career and consequences of Fernando Muslera's mistake
Although Uruguay lost the chance to advance mainly due to the goalkeeper's error, the coach did not abandon Muslera. He appreciated his contributions to the team and accepted France's advancement as that of a stronger team. The goalkeeper also received support from other teammates, and even from Griezmann himself, who refused to celebrate his goal. He explained that the players from Uruguay are his friends who taught him many things. Therefore, he saw no reason to celebrate.
Despite the incident, Muslera still holds a top goalkeeper position. In 2023, he became a Super League champion with his team Galatasaray, which thus secured its 23rd championship title in its history.
Lessons from goalkeeper mistakes
Football goalkeepers are constantly under great pressure. And although they undergo regular and, above all, consistent physical and mental training, they can sometimes make mistakes regardless of whether they are top athletes or players in a local league. Their errors are often deeply analyzed and dissected by the team, the public, and the media, which puts additional pressure on the players. So how do you deal with such influences?
Analyzing the mistake is important
A poor decision, lack of concentration, succumbing to external influences, or unconscious health issues—these reasons and many others can lead to a player's lapse that changes the outcome of a match. The key is, first and foremost, to properly analyze the problem and identify the cause to prevent the mistake in the future.
Mental resilience comes first
Mental training and strong mental resilience are essential in sports, especially in football goalkeeping. All mistakes and the subsequent reactions from those around can either motivate a player to improve or, conversely, unsettle them and negatively impact their future performances. Baggio, Karius, and Muslera did not give up; they worked on their weaknesses and trained to regain the necessary confidence and trust from coaches and fans. And in some cases, like Schumacher's, it was necessary to swallow one's ego and first admit the mistake to oneself. Because, just like in life, in football too, without self-confidence, no one can enjoy the trust of others and move forward.
