It takes a big man to admit to his mistakes.
Gareth Bale’s stunning freekick in Wales’ 2-1 defeat by England may have been swerving, dipping and travelling at tremendous speeds, but nearly everyone agreed that Joe Hart should have done better with his attempts at saving it.
The ball squirmed through the Man City goalkeeper’s fingers when he really ought to have pushed it wide, and there was plenty of pisstaking to be had at his expense. The internet being the internet, the jokes were varied and plenty.
https://twitter.com/Owen_davies2/status/743439192307433473
If you look at this image, you have to think Joe Hart saved this shot from Gareth Bale right? #ENGWAL pic.twitter.com/bn29XWP79B
— Kevin Palmer 💙 (@RealKevinPalmer) June 16, 2016
— JOE (@JOE_co_uk) June 16, 2016
At least there's someone from the blue side of Manchester who can make better diving saves that Joe Hart. pic.twitter.com/H4OnjPZKwb
— David Whitley (@mrdavidwhitley) June 16, 2016
Joe Hart should do better there. https://t.co/ogHyNjjDwV
— Paddy Power (@paddypower) June 16, 2016
You would forgive Hart for making excuses, or keeping his own council about a mistake that could have cost his country their place in the tournament. But credit where credit’s due, he held his hands up. When asked for an interview post-game, he was magnanimous to a fault…
Joe Hart to a reporter in the mixed zone: "Why do you want to talk to me? I’m the villain. Talk to the heroes." pic.twitter.com/mOYzMArxtW
— Play Squawka Selector for Free (@Squawka_Live) June 16, 2016
And later he took to Instagram to accept responsibility for the Wales goal with honesty and good grace. We almost feel bad for mocking him…almost:
‘Wow, no doubt I should be saving the goal, but if this is the consequence then so be it. What an amazing feeling, pride, passion and belief from these guys. We did this together, on to the next #together #support #ontothenext’
