The Ukranian soccer league only resumed play (from its winter break) two weeks ago, so you’ll have to forgive Luiz Adriano for being a little rusty. The Shakhtar Donetsk striker missed what has to be the easiest scoring chance in soccer history.
In the first half of Saturday’s 2-1 win over unfancied Illichevits, Adriano was presented with the simplest of tap-ins. Somehow he managed to put his shot over the crossbar … from 3 yards out with an open goal at his mercy.
The simple explanation of “he’s not that good” just doesn’t work in this case. Adriano is 24, Brazilian, and has been a key player on teams that have won the Copa Libertadores, FIFA Club World Cup (with Internacional in 2006), and UEFA Cup (with Shakhtar in 2009).
He has yet to represent Brazil at the senior level, but it’s only a matter of time before he earns his first chance to wear the yellow jersey at the highest level. Let’s hope, for his sake, that Brazil head coach Mano Menezes wasn’t paying attention.
Our Ukranian language skills are a bit rusty, so we’re not sure what the announcers are saying. But it’s certain they think the miss was as funny as we do.
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Thumbnail photo via Flickr/F.C.S.D.