Does Ronaldo's miss make our list of top penalty blunders?

It was a costly miss, no doubt. Manchester United would have been prohibitive favourites to advance to the Champions League final had Cristiano Ronaldo been able to beat Victor Valdes from 12 yards in the semi-final first leg in Barcelona on Wednesday night.

But just in case the best player in world football was feeling a little low, we would like to bring a little perspective to proceedings - it was neither the most important and nowhere near the funniest - mishap from 12 yards.

Below are some of our favourite and most memorable penalty-kick failures: enjoy and please feel free to add your own suggestions in the comment field at the bottom of this post.

World wars are not decided by penalty kicks, but World Cups are, so Roberto Baggio's miss in the 1994 World Cup final against Brazil - which gifted the trophy to the South American side - has to go down as the most crucial in history.

These were pretty vital, too, especially if you happen to be an England fan. In two parts, this fine piece of footage (part one is here, click here for part two) contains the infamous Stuart Pearce and Chirs Waddle penalty misses in the World Cup semi-final defeat by Germany at Italia '90.

What are you smiling about, David Batty? Here's your equally poor attempt which cost England against old foes Argentina at World Cup 1998.

David Beckham is renowned as a setpiece specialist, but even he had his off days. This little beauty against Portugal at Euro 2004 missed by more than any of the other efforts in our collection.

After the vitally important (where the emotional wellbeing of millions of your fellow citizens rests in your hands) there is the downright funny.

Poor Peter Devine's effort for Lancaster City, has to rank among the worst penalties ever taken. Unless, that is, you know better?

And you might not believe it, but Martin Keown knows all about the pain and humiliation of missing a penalty - because he did so at his own testimonial match.

Remember Arsene Wenger complaining earlier in the season about Nani showboating at Old Trafford and humiliating his players - what about this famous blunder between Robert Pires and Thierry Henry - if that isn't trying to wipe the opposition's nose in it, then what is? Perhaps M. Wenger had forgotten that one, or perhaps he didn't see it?

Ain't no crossbar high enough, ain't no goalmouth wide enough to keep you from looking a fool. Ronaldo is not the only world-class entertainer who's embarrassed themselves from 12 yards.

There must be loads more - please send us in your favourites - if it has an accompanying video clip link along with it, then so much the better.

Comments

[Sanjit Maitra]

Apropos Zak Wesche's comment, isn't this the game where Schumacher should have been sent off, probably arrested, for his assault on the French defender, Battiston? The result, the W. German "come-back", should forever be regarded as a travesty. Thankfully, the Azzurri did their bit for footballing justice in the Final, where Cabrini missed a penalty!

[Shahil Shah]

Holland vs Italy, Euro 2000! Never seen so many penalty misses - best (worst?) being Jaap Stam's.

[sandro]

The Netherlands - Italy during Euro2000 comes to mind as the perfect example of missed penalties (plural) and catastrophe

[Gavin]

Has to be Southgate's Lame attempt in the Semis v Germany.. Euro 96

Whats the quickest way out of Wembley... Through the Southgate..

Classic

[Rob]

If memory serves me correctly, Gary Lineker once attempted to delicately chip the ball over a keeper, who just stood still and caught it.

[AZ]

What about Holland v Italy in Euro 2000 when Jaap Stam nearly kicked the ball out of the stadium from the spot, and i think Holland missed another penalty in the game as well.

[red dawn]

I am a huge liverpool supporter , but I am also a huge soccer fan and I love to watch talented players, after all that what we all love to see pity that there aren't many around. Cristiano is one of them Like Torres Kaka Mascherano Gerrard Rooney Messi so on and so forth. These players are a joy to watch and the youngsters learn a lot from them. As for the penalty miss it happens to most of us, He placed it well but hit it slightly hard. Hard luck! If you take 10 penalties and miss one its not a bad ratio is it? perhaps some may say that it came at the wrong time. I still believe it will be Liverpool vs Man utd Final!

[Dave R]

Careful - Gareth Southgate didn't 'miss'... he just didn't score. The goalkeeper saved his effort, which was on target, albeit hit at about 6.5 mph...

Ronaldo missed, Waddle missed, Psycho missed...

[zak wesche]

Semi Final WC in Spain 1982:
Sevilla: France vs Germany
First Uli Stielicke misses and openly falls to his knees and starts crying.
Then Schumacher stops the following two french penalties to help Germany advance to the finals. (by the way, they were down 1:3 in Overtime but still came back). one of the greatest come-backs of all time ...

GARETH SOUTHGATE!