World Cup fever is returning and with it, so is a slew of memories of tournaments gone past.
There’s the glorious moments of unbelievable play: Maradona’s mesmeric dribble through the heart of the England team in 1986; Cruyff’s turn in 1974; Banks’s save against Brazil in 1970.

SEE ALSO: From Finidi to Maradona: The greatest goal celebrations in the history of the World Cup

And, then there’s the howlers: the missed opportunities in front of the goal.
Of course, those that sit in this particular video library of shame are in good company. After all, as the old adage goes, in all of Pele’s greatest moments, he failed to hit the target.
With the 2018 World Cup kicking-off on June 14, with Russia v Saudi Arabia in Moscow, here’s a look back at some of the absolute sitters and wayward penalty kicks missed at the tournament.

http://www.splint.com.ng/2018/06/from-baggio-to-higuain-worst-misses-in.html

Kevin Keegan: England v Spain, 1982

England, who needed a win against Spain to get to the semi-finals, threw on the semi-fit Trevor Brooking and Kevin Keegan, with less than half an hour to go in their second round match against the hosts.
Without having played a minute between them in the tournament, Keegan soon found himself six yards out from the Spanish goal, with the ball at his head.
Blame it on the lack of match fitness or the 80s bouffant, but Keegan, despite being totally unmarked after some admittedly quality footwork, deftly flicked the ball wide.
With that, England were out.

Yakubu Aiyegbeni: Nigeria v South Korea, 2010

Yakubu’s heel-poke shank from three yards in front of an open goal ranks among the top five unmissable misses in any tournament, let alone the World Cup.
The only possible excuse for the former Everton striker putting the ball wide of the post, was surprise at not being flagged for offside.

Christian Vieri: Italy v South Korea, 2002

Italy’s elimination from the 2002 World Cup, at the hands of South Korea, was one of the most controversial in the history of the tournament, due to a questionable refereeing performance from Ecuadorian official, Byron Moreno.
But, none of that would have mattered had Inter forward Vieri not fired the ball high and wide of the goal from five yards out, in the final minute of normal time.
Instead, Ahn Jung Hwan’s golden goal saw the co-hosts through.

Yakubu name can never be missed even if virus corrupt FIFA data

96 goals in 250 Premier League. Career spanned 20 years. 21 goals in 57 appearances for Nigeria and took part in four Africa Cup of Nations as well as the 2010 World Cup.
Yakubu is a legend but.. but.. but.. that miss sha.. I salute Yakubu and Kaita for breaking Nigerians hearts at the 2010 World Cup. Una well done. Wehdone saahs..

Chris Waddle: England v West Germany, 1990

From the moment he started his walk to the penalty area, you knew Waddle wasn’t going to score his penalty in the shoot-out.
With his head tilted to one side and shifty eyes pointed at the ground, Marseille’s mulleted maverick strode up to face Bodo Illgner with all the purpose, enthusiasm and desire of a man who’s just remembered that he promised his neighbours he would care for and feed their dog that summer, and failed to remember that he’d double-booked that responsibility with a World Cup in Italy.
Needing to get out to check that kennel ASAP, Waddle blasted the ball high and wide, with a trajectory similar to that of a failing space rocket, presumably landing safely somewhere in Stadio delle Alpi’s car park. And with that, England went out.

Roberto Baggio: Italy v Brazil, 1994

With the whole world watching and the nerves involved, it’s pretty understandable that someone would miss their team’s decisive spot-kick in a World Cup final.
But, not when the person taking that kick is Roberto Baggio.
The rat-tailed playmaker was a spot-kick specialist, and scored 68 penalties during his time in Serie A.
But, the one he missed at the Rose Bowl against Brazil is the only one people remember, where he hit the ball so far over the bar, Jonny Wilkinson would have been proud of the effort.

post=68467136:
YAKUBU TOPS THE LIST

What do you know about football?

Silence is the best answer.........

Gonzalo Higuain: Argentina v Germany, 2014

In an alternate reality, it’s Toni Kroos who is unable to live down his World Cup howler. In this one though, it’s Higuain, having failed to capitalise on the German midfielder’s dreadfully misplaced headed backpass that put the then-Napoli forward clean through.
Manuel Neuer in the German goal never even got tested, with Higuain – who had enough time to return to Argentina to pick up his shooting boots from home, before flying back to the Maracana to take his shot – scuffing the ball well wide from the edge of the penalty.
In the end it was Kroos who became a World Cup winner, with Higuain left wondering what might have been.

http://www.splint.com.ng/2018/06/from-baggio-to-higuain-worst-misses-in.html

Cool

See also 100 things to know ahead of the 2018 World Cup in Russia

http://www.splint.com.ng/2018/06/100-things-to-know-ahead-of-2018-world.html