10 most heartbreaking footballing moments this century

Bhargav
The 2014 World Cup produced some of the saddest footballing images of all time
The 2014 World Cup produced some of the saddest footballing images of all time

#5 Turkey eliminate Croatia from the European Championships (2008)

Ecstatic Turkey players after beating Croatia
Ecstatic Turkey players after beating Croatia

Turkey had a memorable run at the 2008 European Championships. Even though they didn't go all the way, they had quite a roller coaster ride.

The comeback kings progressed from the group stage with an 89th-minute winner against Czech Republic to book a date with Croatia.

With extra-time looming, Ivan Klasnic put Croatia ahead in the 120th minute. Instead of patiently seeing out the game, Croatia threw common sense out the window. They sought to score a second on the break, a mistake that turned out to be fatal.

Semih Senturk scored Turkey's equalizer in the 123rd minute to force a penalty shootout, which his team won 3-1 to reach the semis.

Turkey's run came to an end against Germany as the underdogs succumbed to a late Phillip Lahm strike.


#6 Andres Iniesta's late strike knocks out Chelsea (2009)

Andres Iniesta scored a dramatic late goal for Barcelona to take them to the final
Andres Iniesta scored a dramatic late goal for Barcelona to take them to the final

Barcelona's 2009 continental treble almost never happened.

After being held to a goalless draw by Chelsea in the semi-final first leg at Camp Nou, the English club struck first in the return, courtesy of Michael Essien.

However, dodgy refereeing meant the Blues were denied what looked like two good penalties as Barcelona managed to hang on. Nevertheless, Chelsea were seconds away from a repeat of their 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United when disaster struck.

Barcelona, who had failed to register a shot on target all match, scored the all-important away goal in the 93rd minute to break Chelsea hearts.

The Blaugrana would go on to win their first continental treble, and the rest, as they say, is history.


#7 Thierry Henry's 'handball' robs Ireland a place in the World Cup (2009)

Thierry Henry
Thierry Henry

Thierry Henry scored a controversial 'handball' goal that helped France beat the Republic of Ireland in the playoffs and reach the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Henry had controlled the ball with his hand - something that was missed by the referee and his assistants - before teeing up William Gallas for the winner. Ireland's protests fell on deaf ears as the goal stood.

An aggrieved Ireland then asked FIFA to allow them to be the 33rd team at the World Cup, which obviously didn't happen.

Earlier in the game, Robbie Keane scored in Paris to cancel out France's 1-0 advantage from the first leg.

Keane would later say about Henry's illegal intervention:

"When you do something like that as a big player, you're going to get the consequences and I'm sure he (Henry) hasn't lived it down since. I'm sure it gets mentioned all the time to him."

Quick Links