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Seven worst own goals scored in the European Championships: Johnson, Szczesny, Dubravka...

Slovakia's goalkeeper Martin Dubravka (L) in action against Spain's striker Gerard Moreno (R) during the UEFA EURO 2020 group E preliminary round soccer match between Slovakia and Spain held

Embarrassing, disastrous, and sometimes comedic - own goals are a defender’s worst nightmare. After his mistake on Tuesday night, Martin Dubravka became the newest name on an undesirable list.

Martin Dubravka (2021)

Slovakia's Martin Dubravka is the first casualty to stamp his name onto this list.

His team took on Spain in their final group game of Euro 2020 with round of 16 qualification at stake.

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Slovakia were sitting second in the group - one point in-front of Spain - meaning they needed at least a draw to ensure their spot in the Last 16 stage.

Dubravka got off to a brilliant start in the game having saved Alvaro Morata's penalty in the 12th minute.

However, few will remember that save considering what happened next.
In the 30th minute, Spain's Pablo Sarabia produced a fine strike from distance which rattled the crossbar and fired the ball high into the air.
As the ball descended, Dubravka looked to parry it over the bar. Instead, he pushed into the back of his own net to give Spain a 1-0 lead in Seville.

Mats Hummels (2021)

When the draw for Euro 2020 was made, the Group F clash between France and Germany was undoubtedly one of the most anticipated fixtures in the group stage. 

In reality, it was a tight affair, with France edging a 1-0 win over Germany in Munich. But despite the plethora of attacking talent on the field, it was an own goal that proved to be the decider.

Despite two offside goals scored by Paris Saint-Germain's Kylian Mbappe and Real Madrid's Karim Benzema, France's lead was limited to an own goal scored by Mats Hummels, after he mistakenly turned Lucas Hernandez's cross into his own net.

Kylian Mbappe, Mats Hummels, France, Germany, Euro 2020

Kylian Mbappe skips past the challenge of an outstretched Mats Hummels

In the competition's existence, only 12 own goals have been recorded in matches, with the three scored already in Euro 2020 equalling the record for the most in one tournament.

With Hummels unfortunately becoming the latest victim of own-goal embarrassment, Planet Sport takes a look at the most humiliating, comedic and nightmarish own goals scored in the European Championships.

Gareth McCauley vs Wales (2016)

After wins against Slovakia and Russia, Wales topped Group B ahead of rivals England. Finishing first in the group handed Chris Coleman's side another rival clash against Northern Ireland, who qualified after finishing third in their group.

Taking place at Parc des Princes, Paris, the highly-anticipated match saw both teams struggle to create any clear cut chances.

Gareth Bale came closest to opening the scoring with a thunderous free-kick, but the eventual opener came from Northern Ireland's Gareth McCauley, whose attempted block ended up in his own net.

In McCauley's defence, if he hadn't attempted to make the tackle, then Wales striker Hal Robson-Kanu was waiting just behind him to hand his side the lead.
To make matters worse, McCauley's mishap in the 75th minute proved to be the only goal of the game, and was enough to send his Northern Ireland side home from the tournament.

Anton Ondrus vs Netherlands (1976)

When Czechoslovakia played the Netherlands in the Euro 1976 semi-finals, the headlines were truly dominated by Anton Ondrus.

In the first half, Ondrus rose highest following a Czechoslovakian corner and headed in the opener to give his side a lead that they retained up until the second half.

But when the Netherlands fired in a cross from the right flank, Ondrus undid all his hard work by mis-timing his clearance and instead firing the ball off the crossbar and into his own net.

His mistake was enough to send the sides into extra-time, although luckily for Ondrus, two further goals from Zdenek Nehoda and Frantisek Vesely gave Czechoslovakia a 3-1 win and a spot in the final.
Not only did Ondrus and Czechoslovakia go on to win the tournament, but he also scored the first own goal in the European Championships - although we think he might be less proud of the latter.

Glen Johnson vs Sweden (2012)

England secured their first ever competitive win over Sweden in 2012, when the two sides met in the group stages.

Andy Carroll gave the Three Lions the lead with a towering header in the 23rd minute, but shortly after half-time, Joe Hart's save bounced up and into the onrushing Glen Johnson, who could only stand and watch as the ball trickled into his own net.

Johnson's nightmare worsened just 10 minutes after, when Olof Mellberg's header gave Sweden a 2-1 lead.

Thankfully for the Liverpool right-back, goals from Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck restored England's lead and spared his blushes, but England's tournament didn't last much longer - they were knocked out in the quarter-finals by Italy.

Ciaran Clark vs Sweden (2016)

Another own goal going the way of Sweden, this time scored by Republic of Ireland defender, Ciaran Clark.

Some own goals are unlucky deflections, or mis-timed clearances, but Clark's header into his own net was a finish many strikers would be proud of.
Ciaran Clark, Republic of Ireland, Sweden, Euro 2016

In Ireland's opening game of the tournament, they faced Sweden, and with Italy and Belgium also competing in Group E, many believed this to be a must-win game if Ireland were going to qualify.

And their campaign started brightly. After a goalless first half, Ireland were quick out of the blocks after the break, taking the lead via Wes Hoolahan.

But despite their best efforts to protect their lead, it all came undone when Clark's attempted headed clearance flew past Darren Randolph in goal.
Clark's own goal left Ireland with just a point from their opening game, but thanks to an unlikely 1-0 win over Italy in their final group stage, Republic of Ireland managed to qualify in third place.

Igor Tudor vs France (2004)

In Euro 2004, Croatia were faced with the difficult task of qualifying from a group consisting of England, France and Switzerland.

A draw with Switzerland in their first fixture left them needing a result against either France or England.

Unfortunately for Croatia, their match against France started in the worst way possible. Defender Igor Tudor turned the ball into his own net just 22 minutes into the game.

An exciting second half meant the game finished 2-2, but goals from Frank Lampard, Paul Scholes and Wayne Rooney in Croatia's match with England meant they finished third and consequently missed out on qualification.

It'll forever be a case of 'what if' for Tudor and Croatia regarding Euro 2004, but something tells me it's not the worst memory they'll have of facing France in a major tournament.

Wojciech Szczesny vs Slovakia (2021)

Wojciech Szczesny's torrid run in the European Championships continued this week, when the ball ricocheted between the Polish keeper and the post to give Slovakia the lead in their group stage match.

In Euro 2012, Szczesny's first major tournament, he endured a disastrous performance against Greece in Poland's opening game. He was at first to blame for Greece's goal after failing to deal with a cross into the box, before later being sent off for a rash challenge.

Wojciech Szczesny has had little luck at the Euros in his career

Szczesny's second appearance in the tournament came in 2016, when he played the full match against Northern Ireland. Despite keeping a clean sheet, Szczesny suffered a thigh injury which ruled him out for the rest of Poland's fixtures.

Szczesny's recent bad luck has continued his awful run of form in the Euros, and leaves his Poland side bottom of Group E with matches still to play against Sweden and Spain.

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