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What is an own goal? Greatest examples, definition & players famous for conceding them

The scourge of well meaning defenders everywhere, own goals happen from time to time every season - we take a look at some of the notable cases

Own goals are the stuff of nightmares for footballers and particularly so for defenders, whose main job is to preserve the integrity of their own net by keeping clean sheets.

As soon as a player scores an own goal they morph into on-field pariahs, embarrassment etched on their faces as they come to terms with the immediate guilt of it all and try to persevere.

Some players crumple beneath the shame, eager to hide from the judgement of their team-mates and the thousands of fans in the stadium, not to mention the millions watching at home.