Bayern Munich keeper Sven Ulreich makes nightmare mistake against Real Madrid in Champions League

This is a howler of the first order, and we’re sick watching it.

Bayern Munich fans, avert your eyes. Actually, anyone with empathy for goalkeepers or mistake-prone people in general, avert your eyes.

This is an actual nightmare.

Just 20 seconds in to the second half of Bayern Munich’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Real Madrid, the score was tied 1-1. Bayern Munich had the ball in their end, and Real Madrid was putting a bit of pressure on. So a pass went back to Bayern keeper Sven Ulreich, and this is the part where those with weak stomachs need to close their eyes.

Ulreich had several options there. He could have kicked the ball out. He could have picked it up, and given up a possible indirect free kick to Real Madrid if the backpass rule was called, which would not have been ideal, but, you know, better than what he did choose. He could have put the ball under his shirt and run off the field. He’d probably get a yellow card and we’d all laugh at him, but again, better than we he did choose!

What he chose was to just let the ball slide past him and Madrid’s Karim Benzema score one of the easiest goals of his career.

Bayern has fought back, getting a goal from James Rodriguez to tie the game at 2-2, though Madrid still has a 4-3 lead on aggregate. There’s 20 minutes left and for Ulreich’s sake, I pray that isn’t the losing goal. I don’t even care which team wins. Just don’t make the young man have to live with that as the goal that cost his team the Champions League. There is a limit to the cruelty that I can stand.

UPDATE: The match ended 2-2, Bayern lost on aggregate, the terrible outcome has come true. I am very sad for Ulreich.

SECOND UPDATE: I am now crying.