[Seaplaner]

An 'own goal' simply means that a player defending her (in the case of women's soccer) goal against the attacking team inadvertently directs the soccer ball into the goal she was defending.

It also happens in ice hockey.

It is considered among the ultimate embarrassments in sports, and fans can be quite intolerant of the goof. (IIRC) a Colombian soccer player was murdered after erring with an own goal in a game vs the USA.

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[Colonel_Flagg]

(IIRC) a Colombian soccer player was murdered after erring with an own goal in a game vs the USA.

You would be referring to Andres Escobar, who was shot and killed 21 years ago today. He scored an own goal against the USA in the World Cup which contributed to Colombia being knocked out of the tournament, and which was the contributing factor in his death.