‘An absolute howler’: Dubravka scores ‘worst own goal ever’ in bizarre start to Spain-Slovakia Euro 2020 clash (VIDEO)
Spain's vital Group E clash against Slovakia in Sevilla at Euro 2020 got off to a bizarre start thanks to huge errors on each side of the ball, which could prove costly to the latter side's chances of progressing.
Making history for all the wrong reasons, Spain's long-suffering striker Alvaro Morata, who has been singled out for criticism by fans and the press at home, he fluffed his lines from 12 yards when Martin Dubravka pulled off an heroic save on 12 minutes.
Coach Luis Enrique has stood by Morata, claiming that his underperforming team is "Morata and 10 more".
Morata repaid him for his faith with a goal on Saturday against Poland, but as Gerard Moreno missed a penalty and Morata the rebound while Robert Lewandowski equalized in the 1-1 draw, all was not forgiven with the Juventus striker.
Alvaro Morata misses a penalty for #ESP against #SVKSpain have now missed their last FIVE international penalties 😳#EURO2020pic.twitter.com/26tyGYt6J3
— Goal (@goal) June 23, 2021
His latest miss was the first time in Spain national team history that five consecutive penalties had been missed, but Newcastle 'keeper Dubravka soon went from hero to zero with a bizarre own goal.
As a misplaced pass out from the back from Lubomir Satka fell into the path of Pablo Sarabia, the PSG man had a dink from range and hit the woodwork.
Instead of palming the ball away as he went up for the rebound, however, Dubravka ludicrously smacked it into his own net to give Spain the lead, in what has already been dubbed the "worst own goal of all time".
"As goalkeeping errors go, that is a 𝐡𝐨𝐰𝐥𝐞𝐫." 😳Oh Martin Dubravka, look away now 🙈#SVKESP | #ITVFootball | #Euro2020pic.twitter.com/Hlleq7Wtyn
— ITV Football (@itvfootball) June 23, 2021
📸 Martin Dúbravka own goal puts Spain ahead ⚽️#EURO2020pic.twitter.com/eIx4S6ik8y
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) June 23, 2021
Since his national team debut in October 2019, Gerard Moreno has been involved in 10 goals for Spain (five goals, five assists), more than any other player in this period. (Opta)
— Get Spanish Football News (@GSpanishFN) June 23, 2021
Slovakia are at risk of being knocked out as one of the weakest third-placed teams at the end of the group stage.
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