Worst miss ever? Serbian striker stakes a claim - video

Serbian football's fourth tier has contributed little to the world game - until now. Footage of a truly astonishing attempt at goal during a match in the Belgrade Zone League has prompted many observers to call off the search for the "worst ever miss".

The striker's identity is unknown - which is just as well, given the gargantuan nature of his error. Despite having an open goal and no other player anywhere near him, the mystery man spoons an almost stationary ball over the bar from less than a yard out.

Kind observers suggest the ball bobbled at the crucial moment, but the striker still had plenty of work to do to get the ball over the bar.

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To be fair, the miss was the final, remarkable act in a comedy of errors that featured a botched back pass and terrible ball control from the goalkeeper, setting up the chance for the anonymous forward.

The clip emerged on the same day Fifa unveiled its shortlist for goal of the season, says the Daily Telegraph, which suggests the footage shows a "contender for the miss of the century".

"Among those to have suffered embarrassment on the Premier League stage are Kanu, Rosenthal and Fernando Torres, who somehow missed an open goal at Old Trafford," reports the Daily Mail. "The outstanding moment will certainly live long in the memory and outshines any miss witnessed in the Premier League."