Ex-Tottenham striker misses THREE penalties in six minutes in horror show

Carlos Vinicius covers his eyes
We imagine this is what Carlos Vinicius will do when someone tries to show him his highlights against Palestino (Image credit: Getty Images)

Ex-Tottenham and Fulham striker Carlos Vinicius missed three penalties in six minutes for Brazilian side Gremio in the Sudamericana.

Vinicius spent the 2020/21 season on loan at Tottenham, scoring 10 goals, including a hat-trick against non-league side Marine in the FA Cup.

Ex-Tottenham striker Vinicius suffers ultimate humiliation with THREE penalty misses in six minutes

Carlos Vinicius playing for Gremio

Carlos Vinicius playing for Gremio (Image credit: Getty Images)

During his time in England, Vinicius is probably best known for his celebration after scoring against Marine in the FA Cup.

Tottenham had been drawn away against eighth tier Marine, and won the game 5-0. Vinicius grabbed a hat-trick, but went viral for his celebration for his first goal, which he had smashed into an open net, less than a yard out. He crossed his arms with an accomplished look to the camera, which rival fans saw as quite funny, given the standard of opposition.

Carlos Vinicius

Carlos Vinicius after smashing the ball into an open net against eighth-tier Marine in the FA Cup third round (Image credit: Getty)

Vinicius now plays in Brazil for Gremio, and they were facing Palestino, a Chilean team, in the Sudamericana, which is the second-tier of continental football in South America.

His side were awarded a penalty in the 11th minute, which Vinicius stepped up to take. A slow run up with a tame penalty to the keepers’ right was saved, but it was brought back due to the goalkeeper coming off his line.

He then re-took the penalty, this time going to the goalkeepers left. Another weak effort but it looked to be going in with the goalkeeper guessing the wrong way, but Palestino goalkeeper Sebastian Perez expertly swivelled to keep it out. However he was once again adjudged to have come off his line before saving the shot.

Vinicius had a third shot at redemption, and his run up suggested he was keen to make amends for his previous two efforts. As he reached the ball he slipped, and whilst he still hit it with plenty of power, Perez again saved.

All of this took place over six minute spell. We can guess this will be six minutes Vinicius does not want to re-live for a long time. He also scored in the second-half, but it was ruled out for handball in the build-up. Ouch.

Carlos Vinicius playing for Gremio

Carlos Vinicius taking a penalty against Palestino for Gremio (Image credit: Getty Images)

A similar situation arose in the Europa League earlier this season where Roma’s Artem Dovbyk saw two penalties saved by Lille’s Berke Ozer, with one being retaken for encroachment and the other for Ozer stepping off his line too early.

Dovbyk handed the third to Matias Soule, who also saw his effort saved. Lille won the game 1-0 thanks to Ozer’s heroics.

Lille's Berke Ozer celebrates after saving a penalty from Roma's Artem Dovbyk in the 2025/26 Europa League

Lille's Berke Ozer celebrates after saving a penalty from Roma's Artem Dovbyk in the 2025/26 Europa League (Image credit: Getty Images)

Both incidents pale in significance when you think back to 1999 and Martin Palermo’s infamous night against Colombia.

The Argentine, who was the South American player of the year at the time and missed three penalties in one game and made a costly error to allow Colombia to score in a Copa America game which Argentina lost 3-0.

Ewan Gennery
Freelance writer

Ewan is a freelance writer and social media manager who has worked for The Athletic, GOAL, 90min and OneFootball. From Gelsenkirchen to Riyadh, he has covered some of the biggest games in football in his three years in the industry.

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