Luis Vazquez missed an open goal for Birmingham City after sending the ball over the crossbar from close range. The substitute was unmarked inside Derby's six-yard box with the goalkeeper already beaten, but could not find the net.

The chance had an expected-goals value of 0.75, higher than Derby's total for the match, making it Birmingham's clearest opportunity of the game.

How Ethan Laird's Shot Created An Open Net For Luis Vazquez

The chance started with Ethan Laird, whose shot from inside the box forced Derby goalkeeper Jacob Widell Zetterström into a save.

He could only parry the ball back into danger, leaving it in the path of substitute Vazquez, who was unmarked with an empty net in front of him. Vazquez struck the ball the first time but sent his effort over the crossbar from inside the six-yard box.

The chance had an xG of 0.75, higher than Derby's total xG for the match, highlighting how good the opportunity was.

The miss came in the 89th minute, with Birmingham already 2-1 ahead. Had Vazquez scored, it would have put the result beyond any realistic doubt. Instead, Birmingham were left to see out the closing stages, still needing to defend a one-goal lead they had built through two separate second-half moments.

Why Birmingham Still Won Despite The Missed Chance

Bobby Clark put Derby ahead before Carlos Vicente equalised for Birmingham. Paik Seung-ho then scored the winner, his first goal of the season, as Birmingham turned the game around in the second half.

Vazquez's chance came with Birmingham already leading 2-1.

Derby pushed for an equaliser during 13 minutes of stoppage time, but Birmingham held on. Sam Szmodics had two efforts cleared off the goal line, while Carlton Morris also saw an attempt blocked before the final whistle confirmed Birmingham's 2-1 win.

Vazquez's miss did not affect the final result, with Birmingham already leading 2-1 when the chance fell to him. Derby's late pressure showed, however, that the visitors still had to defend their lead until the final whistle.

The win moved Birmingham up to eighth in the Championship with 10 points from seven matches. Derby remain bottom with four points from seven games after Henrik Meister was stretchered off with a neck injury early in the second half following a heavy blow.

How Vazquez's Missed Chance Is Being Viewed At Birmingham

The scale of the miss has drawn attention beyond the result itself, with television coverage of the match describing it as an extraordinary finish to waste. Other football broadcasters also reviewed the clip after the game.

Pundits have questioned Vazquez's recent lack of regular first-team football at Birmingham, but the club has not commented on his current role in the squad.