PAMPLONA, Spain —
PAMPLONA, Spain (AP) — Ante Budimir missed what was possibly the worst penalty of his career and his embarrassing misstep cost Osasuna its life after losing at home to Valencia 1-0 in Spain’s La Liga on Monday.
Budimir was awarded a controversial penalty in the fourth minute of added time, and it was confirmed after extensive instant replay consultation. But the Croatian striker barely made contact with the ball and it ended up in the arms of the incredulous rival goalkeeper.
Osasuna’s top scorer this season with 16 goals, opted to take the shot after making a stop-start fake, but failed horribly in a dramatic end to the match.
“He has apologized to me three times and he has no reason to apologize,” said Osasuna coach Jagoba Arrasate. “It is inevitable that we will remember this play. It’s part of the game”.
A shot into the corner by Andre Almeida in the 18th minute put Valencia in the lead and in the end it was the difference in the game.
Valencia climbed to seventh position, three points behind Real Sociedad in the last place that grants a place in European competitions. Osasuna is eleventh, tied on points with the two teams at the top of the table, Villarreal and Getafe.
