10 Most Famous World Cup Penalty Misses

Fortunately for France, and Michel Platini in particular, this penalty kick didn't turn out to have disastrous consequences like some of the others on the list, but it was highly memorable for how awful it was and serves as perfect proof that even the best players can crumble under the pressure of penalties.

Platini, widely acknowledged as one of the greatest footballers of all time, had scored a vital goal during France's quarter final clash with Brazil to tie the game up at 1-1. France saw out the draw and took the game to penalties. Brazil missed their first kick and France scored their first three, putting them in pole position to book their spot in the semis.

Platini was fourth in line for Les Bleus and it seemed like a foregone conclusion that the ball was about to hit the back of the net when he started his run up. Instead, Platini somehow contrived to balloon his shot way over the bar and into the crowd. France's Luis Fernández tucked away the final strike after Brazil's Júlio César had missed his kick, meaning France still won the game, but Platini's miss gave French fans a few extra moments of fear.