An own goal is exactly what it sounds like — a player accidentally scores in their own net, giving a goal to the other team. They are among the most painful moments in soccer, often resulting from deflections, misjudged clearances, or desperate last-ditch defending.
How It Happens
Own goals usually occur when a defender attempts to clear a dangerous cross or deflect a shot but sends the ball past their own goalkeeper instead. They can also happen when a goalkeeper misjudges a backpass or when the ball deflects off a defender's body from a shot or cross. The player credited with the own goal is the last defending player to touch the ball.
Does the Attacker Get Credit?
No. If the ball enters the net via an attacking player's touch, they score a normal goal. An own goal is only credited when a defending player is the last to touch the ball. If a shot is clearly going in and a defender deflects it slightly, it is usually still awarded as a goal to the attacker — referees and statisticians use judgment for borderline cases.
Famous Own Goals
The 2018 World Cup in Russia set a record for own goals in a single tournament. Croatia's Mandzukic scored an own goal in the 2018 World Cup final against France, then scored at the other end in the same match.
Own goals are statistically more common at major tournaments than in domestic leagues — the pressure, high-quality crosses, and unfamiliar defensive partnerships under tournament conditions all contribute. The 2022 World Cup in Qatar had multiple memorable own goals. WC26 will almost certainly produce its share.
