Top 8 worst open goal misses in Premier League history

Football is an emotional sport, where moments of sublimation and regret always go hand in hand. In each match, taking advantage of scoring opportunities plays an important role in deciding the final result. However, even the best players cannot avoid regrettable misses. Situations that seem easy become unforgettable moments, surprising both fans and experts. Below Kingsoccertips.com shares the top 8 worst open goal misses in Premier League history, leaving a deep mark in football history and surprising viewers.

Top 8 worst open goal misses in Premier League

Top 8: Erling Haaland

Manchester City vs Manchester United (2024)

In the highly anticipated Manchester derby, Erling Haaland had an unbelievable miss that left fans in shock. Under the guidance of Pep Guardiola, Manchester City entered the match with high expectations, but it was Manchester United who struck first with a stunning goal from Marcus Rashford. As the Sky Blues searched for an equalizer, Phil Foden delivered a tactical header from a Rodri cross, setting up Haaland perfectly inside the six-yard box. However, the Norwegian striker inexplicably blasted the ball over the crossbar, even though scoring seemed far easier. This miss was considered one of the most surprising moments of Haaland’s career since joining the Premier League from Borussia Dortmund.

Erling Haaland - The player with worst open goal misses — Erling Haaland – The player with worst open goal misses

True to his usual lethal style, Haaland did not let the miss affect his focus. In the second half, he redeemed himself by scoring the decisive goal to seal a 3-1 victory for Manchester City, securing a convincing win over their arch-rivals. This performance further solidified Haaland’s reputation as one of the most dangerous strikers in the world, highlighting his ability to overcome pressure and make amends for mistakes impressively. With his consistent form and incredible goal-scoring instinct, Haaland remains a reliable choice for football bettors, especially in “anytime goalscorer” markets.

Top 7: Raheem Sterling

Burnley vs Manchester City (2018)

Despite being one of Manchester City’s most important attacking players under Pep Guardiola, Raheem Sterling was not immune to moments he would rather forget. In a 2018 clash against Burnley at Turf Moor, Sterling produced an unbelievable miss in front of an open goal. The play began with a surging run from Kyle Walker down the right wing. The English defender delivered a pinpoint cross to Sterling, who was unmarked with the goal at his mercy. With the goalkeeper already beaten, all Sterling needed to do was tap the ball into the net. However, to everyone’s amazement, his shot somehow went wide of the post, leaving Manchester City fans stunned.

Raheem Sterling - Player with worst open goal misses — Raheem Sterling – Player with worst open goal misses

This miss not only cost City the chance to extend their lead but also subjected Sterling to intense scrutiny from the media and the public. Nevertheless, the English star quickly bounced back with a series of impressive performances for the rest of the season. With his agile movement, blistering speed, and sharp goal-scoring instincts, Sterling remained a key figure in Manchester City’s title campaigns. For football bettors, players like Sterling are often ideal choices for markets such as “anytime goalscorer” or “player to assist,” thanks to their ability to create and convert chances from difficult situations.

Top 6: Cristiano Ronaldo

Sheffield United vs Manchester United (2006)

Cristiano Ronaldo, widely regarded as one of the greatest goal-scorers in football history, has also experienced moments of disappointment. In a 2006 match against Sheffield United at Bramall Lane, Ronaldo missed an astonishing opportunity from just three yards out. The chance came from a perfectly delivered cross by Ryan Giggs, leaving Ronaldo unmarked with an open goal. Given his exceptional technical skills and goal-scoring prowess, it seemed inevitable that he would score. However, to the disbelief of the Manchester United fans, his shot soared over the crossbar.

Open goal misses by famous players - Cristiano Ronaldo — Open goal misses by famous players – Cristiano Ronaldo

Although this miss was a forgettable moment, Ronaldo quickly reaffirmed his class with a string of brilliant performances. His relentless work ethic and refusal to accept failure made him a symbol of Manchester United’s success, helping the club secure three Premier League titles and a UEFA Champions League trophy. For football bettors, Ronaldo has always been a top choice for markets like “first goalscorer” or “anytime goalscorer,” given his ability to score from almost any position and his killer instinct in the box.

Top 5: Sergio Agüero

Manchester City vs Chelsea (2019)

Sergio Agüero, one of the most prolific strikers in Premier League history, was known for his clinical finishing and goal-scoring consistency. However, even the best can have their off moments. During Manchester City’s clash with Chelsea in 2019 at the Etihad Stadium, Agüero missed an unbelievable chance from close range. After a perfectly timed pass from Bernardo Silva, Agüero found himself in an ideal position to open the scoring. But instead of finding the net, he inexplicably sent the ball flying over the crossbar, leaving teammates and fans in disbelief.

Open goal misses by famous players - Sergio Agüero — Open goal misses by famous players – Sergio Agüero

Despite the miss, Agüero quickly made amends by scoring a hat-trick, leading Manchester City to a commanding 6-0 victory over Chelsea. This performance highlighted his mental resilience and ability to recover from mistakes. For football bettors, Agüero remained a dependable choice in “anytime goalscorer” or “most goals in the match” markets due to his ability to deliver game-changing moments in the blink of an eye.

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Top 4: Diego Carlos

Aston Villa vs Liverpool (2024)

Diego Carlos had a moment to forget in the 3-3 draw between Aston Villa and Liverpool in the Premier League in 2024. With Aston Villa trailing 2-1, the Brazilian centre-back had a golden chance to equalise from just two yards out after a precise cross from Leon Bailey. However, his shot went incredibly wide of the target, leaving team-mate Ollie Watkins frustrated. The situation was made worse when Liverpool quickly increased the score to 3-1, putting Aston Villa at a disadvantage. However, the Villa Park team fought back strongly with a Jhon Duran brace in the final minutes to help them snatch a valuable point.

Open goal misses by famous players - Diego Carlos — Open goal misses by famous players – Diego Carlos

Diego Carlos’ miss was a stark reminder of the unpredictability of football, especially for bettors. The match showed that teams should not underestimate the ability to turn things around, even when going behind. When betting on markets such as “total goals” or “second half result”, following live action is an important factor in helping players seize opportunities and optimize their chances of winning big.

Top 3: Ronny Rosenthal

Aston Villa vs Liverpool (1992)

Perhaps one of the most infamous misses in Premier League history – and the earliest. In the inaugural season of the competition (1992-93), Liverpool’s Ronny Rosenthal shockingly failed to score despite beating Aston Villa goalkeeper Nigel Spink. With only an open goal remaining, his left-footed shot hit the crossbar, much to the dismay of the fans. Aston Villa eventually won 4-2, although Rosenthal also scored for Liverpool. The incident is a clear example of how even experienced strikers can make mistakes, so bettors should look at actual performance rather than reputation alone.

Ronny Rosenthal - The player who had the worst open goal miss — Ronny Rosenthal – The player who had the worst open goal miss

For bettors, Rosenthal’s miss is a crucial reminder that nothing is certain in football. Even the most highly-rated players can fail under pressure. Keeping a close eye on such situations helps punters spot opportunities from unexpected odds, especially when key players are out of form. As Rosenthal himself admitted years later: “I’m glad I missed out, because I’m still on the map.” This quote shows that mistakes can sometimes be memorable, and for bettors, surprises are always a profitable element if exploited properly.

Top 2: Matt Ritchie

Burnley v Newcastle United (2018)

In the match between Burnley and Newcastle United at Turf Moor in 2018, Matt Ritchie had one of the most memorable misses in the Premier League. With Newcastle leading, the away fans celebrated wildly, believing that Ritchie’s shot had gone into the net. However, television replays showed that the England international had shot wide with an open goal in front of him. The shock was even greater as the incident came immediately after a quick move by DeAndre Yedlin, who had taken advantage of his speed to get past the Burnley defender and cross for Ritchie. Despite having an easy chance to finish, he failed to put the ball in the net, much to the chagrin of Tyneside fans.

Matt Ritchie - The player who had the worst open goal miss — Matt Ritchie – The player who had the worst open goal miss

Fortunately for Ritchie and Newcastle, the miss did not affect the final result. The Magpies won 2-1 thanks to a Ben Mee own goal and a precise header from Ciaran Clark. Speaking after the match, Ritchie expressed hope that his miss would not appear on the list of the Premier League’s worst misses. However, for bettors, it was clear evidence that even seemingly sure-fire chances can be squandered. It is obvious that monitoring a player’s actual performance rather than just the chances of scoring is an important factor when assessing bets.

Top 1: Fernando Torres

Manchester United v Chelsea (2011)

In the match between Manchester United and Chelsea at Old Trafford in 2011, Fernando Torres had one of the most regrettable misses of his career. After cleverly handling goalkeeper David de Gea, the Spanish striker was left in front of a virtually empty goal. However, his shot went incredibly wide of the post. The miss cost Chelsea a chance to reduce the deficit when they were trailing. The Blues eventually lost 3-1, with Wayne Rooney shining with a brace to give Manchester United all three points.

Fernando Torres - The player who had the worst open goal miss — Fernando Torres – The player who had the worst open goal miss

This forgettable moment pretty much summed up Torres’ disappointing time at Chelsea. Despite arriving at Stamford Bridge for a club-record £50 million in 2011, he never quite lived up to expectations. The miss against Manchester United highlighted the difficulties Torres faced wearing the No. 9 shirt – a number that has haunted many Chelsea strikers. Torres eventually left the west London club in 2016, having scored 45 goals in 172 appearances in all competitions – a tally that would have been 46 had it not been for that unfortunate miss. For bettors, this situation is an important lesson: even top-class strikers can fail to score clear-cut chances, so assessing actual form is always more important than reputation when placing bets.

To Wrap It Up

Worst open goal misses not only bring regret but also become unforgettable marks in the hearts of fans. For players, they are valuable lessons that help them improve themselves and practice their competitive spirit. Although these moments can change the outcome of the match, it is these mistakes that contribute to the appeal and drama of football. Each missed shot is a reminder that, in football, nothing is certain until the final whistle blows.