In a moment that instantly went viral across social media platforms, Marcus Rashford committed one of the most shocking misses of the pre-season during Barcelona's comprehensive 4-0 victory over Italian side Como, leaving his teammate Raphinha and the entire football world in utter disbelief.
The England international, currently on loan from Manchester United, found himself with the golden opportunity to cap off Barcelona's dominant performance when he expertly rounded Como goalkeeper Jean Butez in the 67th minute, only to inexplicably fire wide of a completely open net from just six yards out.
The astonishing miss came after Barcelona had already established firm control of the match through first-half goals from rising star Fermin Lopez, Brazilian winger Raphinha, and teenage sensation Lamine Yamal in what was Hansi Flick's final pre-season test before the competitive campaign begins.
Ironically, Rashford had earlier demonstrated his creative qualities by providing a perfectly weighted assist for Raphinha's strike in the 38th minute, showcasing the potential partnership that Barcelona fans hope will flourish this season. However, his glaring miss in the second half quickly became the main talking point from an otherwise routine victory.
The 27-year-old forward, who joined the Catalan giants this summer with an option for a permanent transfer, had shown promising signs in his previous outing - scoring his first Barcelona goal against South Korean side Daegu FC on August 4. But this latest incident has raised fresh concerns about his finishing sharpness just days before Barcelona's La Liga opener against Mallorca on August 16.
Football pundits and fans alike have been analyzing the miss from every angle, with many comparing it to some of the most memorable open-goal blunders in recent football history. The reaction from Raphinha - captured in viral photos with his hands on his head in sheer disbelief - perfectly encapsulated the collective shock at the Camp Nou.
As Barcelona prepare for their competitive season debut, questions now linger about whether this moment was simply a pre-season aberration or indicative of deeper issues Rashford needs to address as he looks to revive his career at one of football's most demanding clubs.
The incident has also sparked debate about Rashford's potential role in Flick's system, with some suggesting he may need more time to adapt to Barcelona's style of play after spending his entire career in the Premier League with Manchester United.
With the new La Liga season just days away, all eyes will be on how Rashford responds to this very public setback as he seeks to prove he can be the difference-maker Barcelona hoped for when they secured his services this summer.