A Croatian soccer star scored one of the most comical own goals you'll ever see, kicking the ball into his own face and into the net

• Croatia's Marcelo Brozovic scored one of the most comical own goals of all-time on Thursday.
• The midfielder kicked the ball into his own face and it ricocheted into the net.

Midfielder Marcelo Brozovic scored one of the most comical own goals you'll ever see as Croatia thumped Malta 7-1 in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

Croatia took an early lead on the night through Ivan Perisic before Duje Caleta-Car headed home to double the away side's advantage with just 22 minutes played.

With Zlatko Dalic's side in cruise control, however, Brozovic then produced a moment he will no doubt want to forget to present the hosts with an unlikely route back into the match.

After Jurgen Degabriele had sent a teasing cross into the Croatia box, Brozovic attempted to clear the ball with an audacious overhead kick.

But unfortunately for the Inter Milan star, rather than booting the ball away, he instead kicked it into his own face and it ricocheted into the net.

Fortunately for the midfielder, Croatia went on to score five more and secure a vital win in Group H to put itself within touching distance of qualifying for next year's World Cup in Qatar.

After the victory, Brozovic clearly saw the funny side, posting a video of the bizarre goal to his Instagram.

His Inter teammates were quick to poke fun. Nicolo Barella commented: "The most beautiful goal of your career so far."

Defender Andrea Ranocchia said: "Finally tomorrow you can have facial surgery. Make yourself pretty!"