The 10 greatest chokes in the history of football

# 2 – England and the Penalty Shootouts

Not once, not twice, England have been eliminated from major international tournaments through penalty shootouts for a record six times.

In the 1990 World Cup semifinals, it was Staurt Pearce and Chris Waddle; in the 1996 Euro semifinals against Germany, it was Gareth Southgate; in 1998, it was Ince and Batty against Argentina in the quarterfinals.

How many times will history repeat itself?

In 2004, it was a quarterfinal shootout defeat against Portugal after Beckham and Vassell missed. It was the same Portugal in the 2006 World Cup quarters as only Owen Hargreaves managed to convert the penalty shootout for England from four takers.

Then there was the 2012 Euro Quarterfinal shootout against Italy in which Ashley Young and Ashley Cole missed.

# 1 – Liverpool vs Arsenal, Title Decider, 1988/89 season

Due to the Hillsborough disaster, this match which was supposed to take place during late April was pushed back to until after the FA Cup finals. Liverpool won the FA Cup finals and were three points ahead of Arsenal.

It is not often that the two top placed teams get to play one another on the last game of the season to decide the title. But, it was such a game.

Liverpool had 76 points, Arsenal had 73. A win for Arsenal would place the two teams with same number of points but Arsenal had to win by two goals or more to win the league on goal difference.

Arsenal hadn’t won a game at Anfield for 15 years, Liverpool hadn’t lost a game by two goals or more at Anfield for three years.

The Goal that won the League!

Alan Smith scored a header in the starting minutes of the second half. But a single goal would not be enough. The game went past 90 minutes. One minute of injury time was given but an injury to Kevin Richardson increased it to 3. With less than 30 seconds to go, Michael Thomas won the ball and went on to score.

At the end of the game, both teams were tied on points and on goal difference. But, Arsenal were given the title by having scored more goals than Liverpool throughout the season.