Osasuna striker Ante Budimir has claimed the worst penalty of all time after missing a disastrous late attempt against Valencia on Monday night.
The Croatian had the chance to save the tie for the LaLiga hosts in the dying embers of injury time after initially winning a controversial penalty.
Budimir had the opportunity to take a point from Osasuna after receiving a kick to the back of the leg from Valencia defender Hugo Guillamon.
He stepped forward with confidence as the El Sadar stadium held its breath in anticipation, but was left wishing the ground would swallow him up moments later when the ball landed in goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili’s hands.
Budimir seemed torn between opting for power or trying to put the ball through the center of the goal and instead almost tripped when going to shoot.
Osasuna striker Ante Budimir has claimed the worst penalty of all time after missing a disastrous late attempt against Valencia.
Budimir begins his preparation as he looks to get a late draw for Osasuna against Valencia
Budimir thwarts his attempt as the shot slowly moves towards the goal and reaches the goalkeeper’s hands.
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After touching the ground as he was about to hit the ball, Budimir’s effort didn’t even make it all the way to the goal as Mamardashvili gratefully rose from the ground to snatch the ball even though he had already dived.
Budimir and his Osasuna teammates could not believe what had happened as a commentator began to describe the comical moment to the stunned spectators.
“He missed it, and not only did he miss it, it is the worst penalty you have seen so far this season and perhaps in your history,” said the Premier Sports commentator.
“Poor Ante Budimir, what a moment and what a terrible penalty that was.
“Valencia fans will feel that justice has been done, Osasuna fans will applaud the player, but that is his worst moment of the campaign.”
Croatian forward Budimir has scored 17 goals in all competitions for Osasuna this season
The torrid effort sparked more shocked reactions from the home team’s bench as the staff sat with their heads in their hands, unable to believe what had just happened.
Comments flooded social media in reaction to the horror penalty as the Osasuna star, who has scored 17 goals in all competitions, waited painfully for the referee to blow the full-time whistle.
“I looked at the field like I was somehow to blame,” read one comment on X.
Another similar post added: ‘Oh no. What are you even trying? while a third stated: ‘he deserved it for taking the penalty’.