Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski left supporters and pundits utterly stunned on Tuesday night after skying what is being dubbed one of the worst penalties in LaLiga's long history.
A Moment of Astonishing Profligacy
The bizarre incident occurred with the score delicately poised at 1-1 in a crucial clash against Atletico Madrid at the renovated Nou Camp. With the chance to put his side ahead, the usually lethal Polish forward sent the ball soaring high into the stands, failing to test goalkeeper Jan Oblak in any meaningful way.
The miss was so extraordinary that it prompted immediate and severe criticism from the Spanish press. The headline in AS declared it "one of the worst penalties in LaLiga history," while Marca labelled the effort "one of the worst of the Polish striker's long career."
Flick's Reaction and a Near-Instant Redemption Attempt
On the Barcelona bench, manager Hansi Flick's reaction said it all. He looked visibly unimpressed, muttering to himself before taking a sip of water in a clear display of frustration at his star's rare error.
Demonstrating his professional mentality, Lewandowski almost made amends just minutes later. He connected powerfully with a diving header, only to be denied by a spectacular save from Atletico's Oblak. The 37-year-old appeared visibly miffed with himself after the double disappointment.
According to LaLiga statistician MisterChip, the miss set an unfortunate personal record: Lewandowski has now become the first Barcelona player to fail from the spot twice in a single LaLiga season.
Fan Mockery and Contract Context
The moment did not go unnoticed on social media, where fans quickly seized the opportunity for humour at the veteran's expense. One user on X joked, "He had to send the ball to his brothers in Poland," while another suggested, "I think they need to build a bigger stand so the ball doesn’t leave the stadium next time." Further quips included, "Bro actually sent that ball to another world entirely," and a user posting an image of the moon with the caption, "Lewandowski’s penalty ball has been found."
The miss came in a high-stakes match where Barcelona had fought back from 1-0 down, making the anxiety levels among the home support particularly acute. Despite the howler, the Catalan giants rallied to secure a 3-1 victory, extending their lead at the top of LaLiga to four points.
Ironically, Lewandowski remains among the division's most prolific marksmen, with eight goals in 12 league appearances this season. This adds a curious footnote to the ongoing speculation about his future. With his contract set to expire next summer, a report from The Athletic indicates the most likely scenario is that he does not renew his deal with the champions. He has been a fine servant for the club, netting 109 times in 163 games, but this campaign could well be his last in Blaugrana colours.
