They look great if they come off. But when they don’t… yeah, this
Conor Gallagher took one of the worst penalties seen in a very long time as Chelsea were beaten on penalties by Major League Soccer side Charlotte FC.
Thomas Tuchel’s side took the lead against the MLS outfit thanks to Christian Pulisic’s goal in the 30th minute at the Venue Bank of America Stadium in North Carolina.
However, Charlotte – who were founded in December 2019 – were handed a massive opportunity to level the scoreline late in the game after Trevoh Chalobah was penalised for blocking a shot with his hand.
Daniel Rios stepped up to take the penalty and slotted his spot-kick past Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy – forcing a penalty shootout in the process.
Charlotte secure victory on penalties
Christian Lattanzio’s side scored all five of their penalties in the shootout, with Kai Havertz, Ben Chilwell and Raheem Sterling all converting their spot-kicks for the Blues.
However, Gallagher failed to score from 12 yards – and his penalty has gone viral for all the wrong reasons. The 22-year-old attempted to Panenka his spot-kick, but got it horribly wrong.
Charlotte shot-stopper Pablo Sisniega stood still on his line as the ball rolled kindly into his hands, with Gallagher’s effort barely getting off the ground.
Conor Gallagher’s penalty
pic.twitter.com/clXZslFlJ2
— FootballJOE (@FootballJOE) July 21, 2022
How did social media react?
Unsurprisingly, Twitter users were quick to mock Gallagher for his failed Panenka, with one person writing: “Conor Gallagher with the worst penalty kick I’ve ever seen, wtf?”
Conor Gallagher with the worst penalty kick I’ve ever seen, wtf?
— Bobby Reardon
(@bobbyreardon13) July 21, 2022
A second user said: “Conor Gallagher allow me to congratulate you on taking the worst penalty I have ever seen in my life”.
Conor Gallagher allow me to congratulate you on taking the worst penalty I have ever seen in my life
— Raheem (@CescFinesse) July 21, 2022
Another added: “Conor Gallagher lost us that game with the worst penalty I have ever seen, he should be shipped back to crystal palace for that”.
Conor Gallagher lost us that game with the worst penalty I have ever seen, he should be shipped back to crystal palace for that
— King nKunku (@Kingnkunku_1) July 21, 2022
A fourth person stated: “That has to be the worst penalty I’ve ever witnessed, wtf was that from Conor Gallagher?”
That has to be the worst penalty I've ever witnessed, wtf was that from Conor Gallagher?
— HENRI__ (@CFCHenri) July 21, 2022
Twitter user @LAChelseaBlues added: “Conor Gallagher with a penalty as bad as today’s commentary. Lmao”.
Conor Gallagher with a penalty as bad as today’s commentary. Lmao
— L.A. Chelsea Blues (@LAChelseaBlues) July 21, 2022
A sixth person said: “No cap Conor Gallagher penalty is the worstest penalty i’ve ever seen this year. Like is this playing?!!”
No cap Conor Gallagher penalty is the worstest penalty i've ever seen this year.
Like is this playing?!!
— SLY OMO LAMBO
(@Slyman_Lambo) July 21, 2022
Gallagher set to feature for Chelsea this season
After impressing on loan with Crystal Palace last season, Gallagher is expected to remain with the Blues this season and fight for his place in the starting line-up.
Chelsea face off against Arsenal in their next pre-season friendly, before clashing with Udinese in Italy on July 29.
The London outfit begin their Premier League campaign with a trip to Frank Lampard’s Everton on August 6.
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