Unai Simon Euro 2020: The Goalkeeper's Bizarre Own Goal

The UEFA European Championship has witnessed its fair share of thrilling moments and incredible goals, but few can match the sheer shock and drama of Unai Simon's own goal at Euro 2020. In a pulsating encounter between Spain and Croatia in Copenhagen, the Athletic Bilbao goalkeeper's moment of madness will go down in history as one of the most bizarre own goals ever seen.

It all started when Pedri, the youngest player to start a Euros knockout game at just 18 years old, received the ball near the centre circle. In a bid to clear his lines, he attempted to knock the ball back to Simon, only for it to take an unexpected turn. The 24-year-old goalkeeper, seemingly unaware of what was happening, took his eye off the ball and failed to control it, allowing the ball to roll past him into the empty net.

The incident sparked a mix of reactions from pundits and fans alike, with former England striker Dion Dublin describing it as 'a mistake from the goalkeeper.' Meanwhile, England international Izzy Christiansen couldn't believe what she was seeing, stating that it was 'a complete lapse in concentration' and that Simon took his eye off the ball at the last second.

Despite the initial shock and embarrassment for Simon, he would go on to redeem himself with a series of impressive saves, earning him redemption for his earlier mistake. The drama of the encounter will undoubtedly be remembered for years to come, with Simon's own goal holding the record for the longest-range strike in Euros history at 49.4 yards.

The incident has also sparked debate about whether it was an own goal or not, with some arguing that Pedri should have been credited with the goal instead of Simon. However, the official record books will show Unai Simon as the unfortunate soul who scored the ninth own goal of Euro 2020, a feat that is almost unparalleled in European Championship history.

In conclusion, Unai Simon's bizarre own goal at Euro 2020 was an incredible moment that will be etched in the memories of football fans for years to come. Despite the initial embarrassment, Simon bounced back with a series of impressive saves, showing his resilience and determination to make amends for his earlier mistake. The drama of the encounter serves as a reminder that even the most seasoned goalkeepers can have off days, but it's how they respond that truly matters.

Unai simon euro 2020