Howler! A Recent History of English Goalkeeper Blunders
David Seaman v. Brazil
WHEN: June 21, 2002
WHAT: 2002 World Cup quarter-final v. Brazil
ENGLISH KEEPER: David Seaman
BLUNDER: With the score tied at 1 in the 50th minute, Brazilian star Ronaldinho lobbed an audacious free-kick from 42(!) yards out, totally befuddling "Safe Hands" Seaman, who was left in tears after the game.
SAMPLE ENGLISH HEADLINE: CRYING SHAME
RESULT:: Ronaldinho was red-carded minutes after his goal, but England couldn't net an equalizer, exiting the WC in stunning fashion.
David James v. Austria
WHEN: September 4, 2004
WHAT: 2006 World Cup qualifier v. Austria
ENGLISH KEEPER: David James
BLUNDER: With his team trailing 2-1, Austrian striker Andreas Ivanschitz attempted a speculative shot from well outside the box in the 73rd minute. James strangely tried to dive on the ball, but it slid beneath him to gift Austria the 2-2 draw.
SAMPLE ENGLISH HEADLINE: ENGLISH IN DEEP SCHITZ: CALAMITY JAMES HAS A SHOCKER
RESULT:: England still qualified for the 2006 WC comfortably, though James lost his starting spot to Paul Robinson.
Paul Robinson v. Croatia
WHEN: October 11, 2006
WHAT: Euro 2008 qualifier v. Croatia
ENGLISH KEEPER: Paul Robinson
BLUNDER: With the score 1-nil to Croatia, English defender Gary Neville sent a seemingly innocuous pass back to his keeper, who took a huge whiff at the ball...and totally missed. You could make a case that the ball hit a divot in the grass, but Robbo got all the blame.
SAMPLE ENGLISH HEADLINE: 0-2 TO YOU, MISSES ROBINSON
RESULT:: England's doomed Euro 2008 qualifying campaign would only get worse...
Scott Carson v. Croatia
WHEN: November 21, 2007
WHAT: Euro 2008 qualifier v. Croatia
ENGLISH KEEPER: Scott Carson
BLUNDER: All England needed was a draw against Croatia to qualify for Euro 08...but things got off to the worst start possible when the Lions' 22-year-old keeper fumbled a long-range Niko Kranjcar shot in the 8th minute. The game went back and forth from there, and a second-half Peter Crouch strike equalized the score at 2-2, seemingly sending England through. Alas, Mladen Petric's 25-yard bullet broke English hearts in the 77th minute.
SAMPLE ENGLISH HEADLINE: CRO NO! WE'RE OUT
RESULT:: England shockingly failed to qualify for Euro 2008, and Scott Carson hasn't played for his country since.
Robert Green v. USA
WHEN: June 12, 2010
WHAT: 2010 World Cup group match vs. USA
ENGLISH KEEPER: Robert Green
BLUNDER: The blunder seen 'round the world: England seemed to be cruising with a comfortable 1-nil lead into halftime, but five minutes before the break, Clint Dempsey fired a dipping long-range shot that Green bobbled away like a Little League infielder.
SAMPLE ENGLISH HEADLINE: HAND OF CLOD
RESULT:: The game ended in a 1-1 draw. If recent history is any evidence, Green's career as English keeper may not last long. Joe Hart, be warned...
