The worst penalty taken in history? Budimir’s shot in the seventh minute of addition in Osasuna-Valencia that travels the world

Ante Budimir was a trend and not because of his goals in Osasuna that led him to be one of the top scorers in the Spanish League, where he has 16 and is only surpassed by Artem Dovbyk of Girona with 17.

The 32-year-old Croatian striker had the equalizer in the final against Valencia on his feet but the penalty he took was one of the worst kicks in history. At least this was asked by the Catalan newspaper Mundo Deportivo and many agreed with the assessment of one of the most important newspapers in Spain.

It was the seventh and last minute of added time and there was a penalty for Osasuna. As it could not be otherwise, their scorer Budimir stood in front of the three posts ready to score and rescue at least a point against his people. However, at the moment of impact he hesitated, he remained rooted to the grass and only managed to touch the ball with the tip of his boot.

Giorgi Mamardashvili, Valencia’s Georgian goalkeeper, who had dived to his right, had time to rejoin and take the ball without any problem. In the stands, the fans couldn’t believe it. In the broadcast, the surprise was total and the Croatian striker himself only managed to cover his face with his hands.

“Budimir is human,” was the support of his companions. Meanwhile, his coach Jagoba Arrasate revealed the conversation he had with his forward. “He has asked me for forgiveness three times now, but I have nothing to forgive, no one has failed, he has been blocked and it is something strange for him, the head influences.”

Valencia suffered to get a vital victory from El Sadar thanks to Almeida’s goal with which they regained seventh place. Osasuna came out looking for the rival goal with good combinations and with a very participative Moi Gómez who wanted to take command to direct the actions of his team. Those from Baraja stood firm against the local attacks, who had the objective of adding three points to dream of seventh place.

The first clear chance came after a serious error by Herrera. The red goalkeeper did not understand his defense and forced a mistake when intercepting the possession. Hugo Duro, with everything in his favor to shoot on goal, preferred to wait for his teammate, enough time for Jorge Herrando to thwart the play with great skill.

Portuguese André Almeida made it 0-1 in the 18th minute. It was then that Osasuna had a hard time getting on the opposite field comfortably. For their part, the Valencians waited for the moment to go on the counterattack, without being in a hurry to go for the second. Possession was local and Moi Gómez was able to equalize, but his shot ended up hitting the post after hitting Javi Guerra. Sadar took his temperature. Osasuna was better than its opponent, although the truth is that the visitors took control of the first half.

Valencia players celebrate the victory against Osasuna. EFE/Jesús Diges

I go through locker rooms and more of the same. Valencia did not suffer with an Osasuna that was bossy with the ball, but could not find the right key. The Colombian Johan Mojica entered in place of Juan Cruz to charge the game on the left with his speed and continuous overflow.

A quick transition was about to be completed by Ante Budimir, unpublished until that moment. The Balkan stretched his left leg to hunt down Rubén García’s center. Arrasate wanted the last outburst with a triple change. Ibáñez, Peña and Raúl García de Haro came out wanting to change the inertia. Valencia was missing, posing a defensive second half. Herrando enjoyed a clear shot to which he was unable to give direction.

Surrealism made an appearance in the 96th minute. Munuera Montero signaled a maximum penalty on Budimir after reviewing it in the VAR. Despite being a great specialist from the eleven meters, the usual scorer made a strange gesture with which he touched the ball without barely moving it, leaving a joke play that will be remembered for years.

Finally, Valencia won in Pamplona to regain seventh place and continue dreaming of a return to Europe with seven games left until the end of the season.

With information from EFE.