Left blushing: 5 most embarrassing own goals of 2015 (VIDEOS)
The past 12 months have provided many an inspiring moment on the pitch, with awe-inspiring goals and sumptuous pieces of skill - just a couple of the reasons we love the Beautiful Game - causing the football world's collective jaw to drop on the regular.
Of course, while genuine moments of footballing brilliance are a sight to behold, almost equally enjoyable is the hilarity of watching world class athletes fail in ways that make you feel better about that open-net tap-in you missed in last weekend's beer league match.
And 2015 had no shortage of such moments - particularly as it pertained to players finding new and inventive ways to score at the wrong end of the pitch.
Without further ado, here are the best own goals of 2015:
Helen Eke - Hammarby vs. Orebro
Plying her trade in the Damallsvenskan (Sweden's top flight), Hammarby defender Helen Eke ensured her name will live forever in the infamy of blooper reels by firing an attempted clearance into her yawning goal.
Look at the bright side, at least this unfortunate error didn't directly eliminate your team from qualifying for, say, Euro 2016 ...
Robin van Persie - Netherlands vs. Czech Republic
Ah, the plight of Robin van Persie.
Once revered as being among the world's most devastating strikers, the Dutchman's career has devolved rapidly; an Arsenal scoring machine turned Manchester United equivalent quickly became little more than a cheerleader for the Red Devils before being shunned to Turkey. The zenith of his incompetence came at the most inopportune time for his country, as Van Persie scored an own goal for the ages in a match that ended his nation's hope of qualifying for Euro 2016.
Holland will, inexplicably, be watching the tournament from home, and Van Persie's head - the same cranium that was celebrated at the 2014 World Cup - is partially to blame.
David Ospina - Arsenal vs. Olympiacos
David Ospina's job, as a goalkeeper, is to actively try to prevent the football from eluding him and crossing the goal line. In a Champions League match against Olympiacos, the Arsenal "shot-stopper" either forgot his primary responsibility, or decided to reinvent the position entirely.
Thank goodness for Petr Cech.
Theodor Gebre Selassie - Werder Bremen vs. Schalke
Strikers everywhere, take note.
Werder Bremen full-back Theodor Gebre Selassie, known more for his attacking exploits down the flank than his defensive solidity, showcased some of those talents in a contest against Schalke, lobbing the 'keeper with a deft first touch that even Lionel Messi would deem impressive ...
Going bar-down is great, except when it comes at the expense of your own goalkeeper.
Kamarl Duncan - Thurrock vs. Romford
The crown jewel of the list comes from the eighth-tier of English football, the Isthmian League Division One North, in a match between Romford and Thurrock. Defender Kamarl Duncan, plying his trade for the latter, attempted to play a simple aerial ball, at which point Mother Nature intervened. We'll step aside and leave the rest of the blustery description to the moving pictures:
This is undoubtedly the GOAT of own goals, and anybody who disagrees is not to be trusted.