Spain defender Laia Codina’s blushes have been spared after she scored an own goal from 45 metres out in her nation’s round of 16 tie against Switzerland.
La Roja opened the scoring as early as the fifth minute thanks to Aitana Bonmati who capitalised on the early pressure from Spain.
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However, Codina gift-wrapped an equaliser for Switzerland in the 11th minute.
Codina received the ball just inside her own half under little pressure and decided to recycle the ball back to her goalkeeper Cata Coll.
However, the defender passed it back without looking to see where Coll was standing.
Codina’s pass curved around a helpless Coll and into the back of the net, leaving just about every Spanish player stunned.
Football fans on Twitter were left equally baffled at the horror own goal.
Former AAP journalist Ed Jackson wrote: “That was the (own) goal of the tournament right there. What a disaster for Spain. Just car crash stuff.”
English football journalist Flo Lloyd-Hughes said: “We could make a montage of comedy back passes for the tournament.”
Yet Switzerland would enjoy parity on the scoresheet for as long as six minutes as Alba Redondo’s redirected header restored Spain’s lead.
Redondo’s goal was a deserved reward for Spain’s dominance in the first half as they continue to pin Switzerland back.
Aug 5 R16 Fixtures (AEST)
Switzerland v Spain 15:00, Eden Park (Auckland/Tāmaki Makaurau):
MATCH CENTRE
Japan v Norway 18:00, Wellington Regional Stadium (Wellington/Te Whanganui-a-tara): MATCH CENTRE