5 worst football debuts of all time

3. Chris Iwelumo (Scotland)

Iwelumo was given his first game for Scotland in tense circumstances. Being brought on with 35 minutes to play, with the score at 0-0 and Scotland needing a win to keep themselves in the hunt to qualify for the World Cup, the striker knew that with a good performance he could have put himself in the front papers the next day.

However, being presented with the ball two yards in front of goal with no goalkeeper in sight, Iwelumo horribly scuffed his attempt, seeing his prod inexplicably fly wide of the goal.

A possible debut dream had turned into a nightmare, and after the match he said: “I was confident, put my foot out and it hit the heel. I’m gutted but I’m a big character and I’ll take that one on the chin and move on.”