Messi's immediate expulsion and a duo that lost the dream of England .. The worst changes in the history of football!
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The change of Kepa Arrizabalaga, who lost Chelsea the League Cup title, brought to mind some of the worst changes in football history.
The final match in the League Cup for the 2021-22 season, which brought together Liverpool and Chelsea, came to make one of the worst memories in the career of the Spaniard Kepa Arrizabalaga, the "Blues" goalkeeper.
The match ended with Liverpool winning and crowning the League Cup for the first time in 10 years, with a score of 11-10 in penalty kicks, after the match ended in the original and extra time with a goalless draw.
Kepa entered the match in the 120th minute of the second extra period, due to his outstanding ability to stop penalty kicks.
But the Spanish goalkeeper was unable to prevent any penalty kick taken by the Liverpool players, and missed the 11th kick in favor of Chelsea, to give the "Reds" the title.
Kepa's substitution, typical of Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel when arriving in penalty shootouts, has brought to mind a list of the worst changes in football history.
Messi is sent off in his first match with Argentina
In recognition of his achievements with the under-20 team, Jose Pekerman, coach of the Argentina national team, decided in 2005, to give Lionel Messi his first appearance with "Albiceleste".
At the age of 18, Messi was called up for the Argentina-Hungary friendly match, which took place on the 17th of August 2005.
Messi entered the match in the 63rd minute, but was sent off with a direct red card only two minutes later.
Messi hit Hungary defender Vilmos Vanczak while trying to get rid of him, and the referee interpreted the Argentine's movement as a deliberate elbow kick.
Reports at the time confirmed that Messi was crying heartily in the dressing room after that expulsion, which he considered unfair.
A duo who lost England's dream in the European Nations
Wembley Stadium in the English capital, London, hosted the final match of the European Nations Cup "Euro 2020", which brought together Italy and England.
With the end of the original and extra time for the match with a 1-1 draw, the two teams had to resort to penalty kicks to determine the winner of the title.
Gareth Southgate, England coach, decided to enter the duo Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in the 120th minute to take the penalty shootout.
But Sancho and Rashford were unable to convert their kicks successfully against Italy, to win the "Azzurri" in the end 3-2 in the penalty shootout, and turn the dream of the "Three Lions" in the first coronation of the Euro into a nightmare.
A second was enough to send Gerrard off
Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has many memories against rivals Manchester United, but what happened in the match that brought the two teams together in 2015 was a "moment of madness".
Gerrard entered the match that was held at "Anfield" for the 30th round of the 2014-15 season in the English Premier League before the start of the second half.
But the Reds captain was sent off after just 38 seconds, after a violent intervention on Ander Herrera, United midfielder at the time.
Gerrard later said of it: "It only took 38 seconds to fire myself against United, 38 seconds in which I was at the heart of every move on the pitch, but I let my anger show."
Zaza .. a penalty kick killed his career
Just like the England duo, Italy striker Simone Zaza entered Germany's Euro 2016 quarter-final match in order to take a penalty kick.
The original and extra time for that exciting match ended in a 1-1 draw, with the two teams going to penalty kicks to determine the semi-finalist.
Zaza took the second kick in a manner that ignited ridicule, as he advanced very slowly to the ball only to hit it over Manuel Neuer's crossbar.
Italy exited the tournament after losing 6-5 on penalties, after each team took nine kicks.
Zaza's career declined sharply after that incident, as he left Juventus in the same summer on loan to West Ham, and then went out on loan to Valencia, and he is now playing with Torino, and he represented Italy only twice after that match in 2018.
Robben's exit caused the collapse of the Netherlands
In one of the most exciting matches in the history of the European Championship, the Czech team came from behind against the Netherlands 2-0 to win 3-2.
That match, which was held in the second round of the group stage in Euro 2004, carried with it excitement that did not stop during the ninety minutes.
However, Dutch coach Dick Advocaat's decision to withdraw Arjen Robben in the second half was the main reason for the decline in the performance of the Mills.
The Dutch team collapsed within 15 minutes, and John Hettinga was sent off, to give the Czech team the three points and secure the top of the group.
Flamini gives Barcelona a penalty after 47 seconds
The Arsenal-Barcelona match in the first leg of the Champions League round of 16 for the 2015-16 season carried a disappointing moment, with its French champion Mathieu Flamini, the "Guerres" player.
Flamini entered the match in the 81st minute, but only 47 seconds passed, to give Barcelona a penalty kick after blocking Lionel Messi.
Messi took the penalty kick and successfully converted it against Arsenal, to win Barcelona with two goals without a response, before repeating the return victory at the "Camp Nou" with a score of 3-1.
Must admit it was a bizarre decision as he is apparently a great penalty stopper. Would Mendy have done any better no one knows but chances are he could have at least stopped one.
Yes, the decision remains strange, penalty kicks remain a matter of luck and focus
Mendy is a wonderful goalkeeper and excellent in penalty kicks, but in the end the decision remains with the coach and no one guarantees that Mendy will be the best Kiba in penalty kicks
No one can tell what would have happened if Mendy stayed. However, I don't always support the switch in goalkeepers especially when the initial goalkeeper performed excellently.
I guess football is just full of uncertainties.
Speaking of Steven Gerrard's red card, it was a very terrible and sad scenario but for him and the team.
I don't think Thomas Tuchel will forget this day in a hurry. It was one moment that changed the club's destiny. However, only one side would have won the trophy. One way or the other, someone would have missed the spot-kick. So, we shouldn't be too hard on Kepa
From a Liverpool fan
He will certainly not forget this day, and he will never make such a change in goalkeeping again
Messi had to taste an unfair shrug right at the initial moment of his soccer career. Thats true for all the greats who came with a legend in hand and lighted the world with the aura.
Good post.
Thank you ,The expulsion case was a harsh lesson for Messi to be psychologically balanced on the field and not respond to the pressures of the defenders after that.
Yah, and lot to learn from that particular event. Specifically, to be able to gain control on pitch and getting reserved despite having tremendous pressure.
And, Messi had this inside.
Point to learn.
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i can understand the decision because kepa is one of the best in shootouts
Yes, Kepa is among the best goalkeepers in penalty kicks
maybe he should have started the game for more comfort, flashbacks of euros final
Some players just find it difficult to have luck on their side it seems . Are the days of Kepa in Chelsea colors coming to an end gradually?
I don't think he will leave Chelsea