Definition of own goal

The term "own goal" in sports, specifically football or soccer, refers to an unfortunate incident where a player accidentally scores a goal in their own team's net instead of the opponent's. The phrase "own goal" comes from the fact that the goal is technically scored by the player's own team, rather than the opposing team. The exact origin of the term is unclear, but it first appeared in British sports publications in the 1950s and has since become a common part of the football lexicon. The use of the word "own" in this context could be seen as a reflection of the powerful emotions that can arise when a player scores against their team, which can sometimes feel like an own goal for the entire team.