David Beckham pointed an accusing finger at a mud-pack penalty spot when he skied his crucial kick into the stands at the Stadium of Light as England crashed out of Euro 2004.
Sadly, for England's captain and national icon, getting his excuses in first may not be enough to stop him being on the end of some serious accusations at the end of a tournament he must view as a massive personal disappointment.
Beckham's missed spot-kick, his third in succession for England, put them under instant pressure as they lost the quarter-final 6-5 on penalties to host Portugal.
And as he retreated disconsolately to receive the support of his England colleagues in the centre circle, Beckham could not escape the simple fact that it was a moment that summed up his tournament.
Of all the big players expected to deliver for England in Portugal, Beckham was the one who singularly failed to step forward.
Beckham was involved with some of his trademark set-pieces, but a player of his profile and reputation needed to offer England so much more than he did here.
David Beckham
Should David Beckham keep the England captaincy?
He put down his personal marker for Euro 2004 by missing the crucial penalty against France as England led 1-0 - it was a pivotal moment in the match and Beckham's tournament never really recovered.
Too often, England's captain looked a jaded lightweight, often taking time to recover from the physical challenges of opponents.
Too often he was a peripheral figure lurking on the flank instead of influencing the play.
Too often Beckham's trademark dead ball skills, and his passing, were off the mark.