12 Most Shocking and Embarassing Misses in Soccer History

We're all human and humans make mistakes.

Footballers and referees are no different.

When millions of eyes are watching your every movement, it's inevitable that you occasionally might do something out of the ordinary—and I don't mean in a good way.

Shocking and embarrassing misses don't necessarily imply a missed goal-scoring opportunity, as today we're going to go a different route and apply it to missed shots, missed players and missed fouls.

Confused yet?

It will all become clear as we walk together down memory lane to see some amusing and disgraceful attempts to play the world's greatest sport.

I hope you enjoy.

Fernando Torres

Fernando Torres will start us off today. We all still remember this miss against Manchester United as it was relatively recent.

This one is a shocking and embarrassing missed chance for the Spaniard.

Ryan Giggs

The commentary on this video sums it all up perfectly, so I'll let him talk you through it.

This miss was on Ryan Giggs' weaker foot but it that is no excuse.

Ronny Rosenthal

Ah, Ronny Rosenthal.

Rosenthal opted for the same type of finish as Giggs in the previous clip but came a little closer than the Welsh winger.

Referee

Referees.

There are lots of things they miss but this is extra special.

This referee makes an embarrassing error by realising his yellow card is missing before running around the pitch for a minute trying to find it.

Embarrassing?

I'd say so.

David Villa

David Villa is one of the best strikers in the world.

If you'd never seen him play before then this video wouldn't convince you of his ability.

This is a shocking miss for someone of his talent.

Cristiano Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo doesn't often make errors, but as commentator Jonathan Pearce states: "He'll see that in his nightmares for years to come."

Enough said, really.

Qatar

The caption on this video is titled "Worst Football miss of all time."

That is a pretty accurate description, too.

Some things defy belief, and this is certainly a finish that does that.

Steven Gerrard

I don't know what Steven Gerrard was looking at when he swung his foot, but it certainly wasn't the football in front of him.

A swing and a miss from the Liverpool captain makes an embarrassing spectacle.

Referee Again!

Yes, a referee missing something again.

This time it's a blatant goal.

(Note you'll have to skip forward to 1:11 for this one.)

Defies Belief

I don't know who this was, but it was a bad miss.

It often makes me consider professional footballers' wage structure when they do things like this.

Kung Fu

Nigel De Jong was lucky not to be sent off when his kung fu kick on Xabi Alonso only warranted a yellow card from the referee.

If that's not a red, I don't know what is.

A bad miss from the referee.

Greece

This time we're in Greece for my favourite clip of this set.

Is it possible to miss five easy chances in one flowing attack?

You betcha!

Thanks for taking the time to look through this assortment of disaster-strewn clips.

If your football-o-meter needs topping up with some moments of class, then click here to see eight great goals from Germany's Miroslav Klose.

Follow me on Twitter @petercwebster.