Worst Misses of the 2010 FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2010 has seen many moments of greatness on the pitch which will remain etched in the memory of fans forever.

But there have also been some horrific mistakes committed both on and off the pitch and these flops too will haunt the memories of people as they have not left a good taste behind in the mouth of many.

The biggest miss of this year's World Cup has to be the moment when Ghana had a chance to create history by becoming the first African nation to make it to the semi-finals and they blew it away.

With a penalty shoot-out beckoning, Ghana almost scored the winning goal but for Uruguay's Luis Suarez who punched the ball out from the goal-line. This resulted in a red card for Suarez and a penalty for Ghana.

Their most consistent striker Asamoah Gyan took the penalty and shot it wide. Uruguay went on to win the match on penalties and Ghana made their exit.

The moment that came with a statutory warning for all England fans, "Do not watch, injurious to health".

Well, even if you choose to be less dramatic, England goal-keeper Robert Green's blunder against USA not only meant that the 'Three Lions' got just a point from their first game, it also ensured that they do not top the group and ended up playing the indomitable Germans who dumped them out of the tournament after a 4-1 drubbing.

The Nigerian 'Super Eagles' have ceased to be the dominating force in Africa and their listless performance in the this edition of the World Cup is a paragon of their demise.

This miss from striker Yakubu is representative of the poor show that the Nigerians put up in Africa's first ever World Cup.

Miserable is an understatement.

This one did not come from the football field. The Nigerians were not only out of sorts with their game, but it seems lack of imagination was getting rubbed on to the staff as well.

As news broke about their player Sani Kaita receiving death threats for getting a red card in the match against Greece which saw the Nigerians (who were leading 1-0) eventually lose the match 2-1, their press officer gave a ridiculous explanation.

Wanting to say that the threats should not be taken seriously, the 'man' said, I go kill you in our language means i am not happy with you."

Now that has to be bizarre.

Having gone a goal behind after a disputable goal scored by Carlos Tevez (who was certainly in an off-side position), the Mexicans not only lost their cool but also their bearings.

Defender Osario gifted the 'Albiceleste', a second when his attempted juggle went badly wrong and fell straight in the path of an advancing Higuain who then rounded off the keeper to slot home.