5 Biggest Blunders in World Football This Weekend
The latest weekend of domestic action in the world of football has given us plenty to applaud and admire as always: but where success comes, so, too, does failure and defeat.
As good as the game's top players are, there are always a handful of them who commit unexpected or uncharacteristic errors in their play, often leading to derision and disappointment on the terraces.
Here are our five biggest blunders of the weekend, once more featuring plenty of action from Premier League side Sunderland.
Wes Brown
1 of 5
There are bad back passes, and then, there are bad back passes.
In fact, we're not entirely sure that Wes Brown's attempt even counts as a back pass, it was so bad. The former Manchester United defender gifted Arsenal their first goal on Saturday as he turned just inside his own half and barely sent the ball five yards back toward his own penalty box, allowing Alexis Sanchez to run on and open the scoring.
See Brown's gaffe here.
Vito Mannone
2 of 5
Sunderland are soon going to require their own blunders of the weekend section, such has been their embarrassing defensive form of late.
Goalkeeper Vito Mannone didn't cover himself in glory against Southampton last week, and this time out against former club Arsenal, he took it upon himself to go one better. He put yet another goal on a plate for Alexis Sanchez by failing to kick, pass, control—in fact, do anything recognisable as a footballing action.
Watch Mannone's latest howler here.
Gorka Iraizoz
3 of 5
Not a good week for goalkeepers. This is Athletic Bilbao's Gorka Iraizoz, in action in the Champions League in midweek against FC Porto.
The match finished 2-1 to the Portuguese side, and Basque stopper Iraizoz was at fault for the winning goal, 15 minutes from time. He allowed a very much routine save to go horribly wrong. Ricardo Quaresma got credited with the goal, but he was more than assisted by Iraizoz.
Watch the keeper gaffe here.
Fernando Torres
4 of 5
Fernando Torres didn't have too much luck—or ability, perhaps—with his shooting while at Chelsea, so he hopes to fare far better while with AC Milan.
While he cannot be faulted for audaciousness or agility with this spectacular-looking bicycle kick, his attempted shot actually went so far off target that it turned into about a 40-yard, one-two pass back to Mattia De Sciglio, who had originally sent over the cross.
Watch Torres' shocking attempt at an effort on goal here.
Awer Mabil
5 of 5
Don't worry, Fernando, you're not the only one who cannot finish.
This is Awer Mabil, Adelaide United's forward who managed to rack up the miss of the weekend by kneeing the ball over an open goal from about two yards. No pressure, no challenge, no marker...no composure.
Watch Mabil's impressive lack of accuracy here.
