The troubled return of Javier “Chicharito” Hernández to his boyhood soccer team, the Guadalajara Chivas, took another turn for the worse this week.

Benched for the Liga MX Apertura quarter-final second leg against Cruz Azul, Hernández was called on in the 75th minute with the game tied at 2-2. That scoreline was enough to see the Mexico City team advance to the semifinals based on their higher league placement during the regular season.

But in the 85th minute, Chivas won a controversial penalty, presenting a potential match-winning opportunity. As the most senior player on the squad, the 37-year-old Chicharito took the ball from a teammate and elected to take the kick himself.  As some Chivas fans in the crowd covered their eyes, too nervous to watch, and after several deep breaths and a stuttered run-up, Chicharito blasted the penalty high over the bar!

Chicharito misses a vital penalty!

Then, in the sixth minute of added time, with Chivas pressing for a winner, fans’ hopes were dashed when Cruz Azul broke out on a counterattack and scored, sealing a 3-2 victory and progressing to the semifinals to face Tigres UANL.

Thursday night’s trauma compounded the ongoing nightmare for Chicharito, who has struggled with injuries and poor form since returning to Chivas from LA Galaxy in January of last year. In fact, his missed penalty was one of his final touches with the club, as Chivas directors have decided not to extend his contract, which is worth a staggering US$3 million annually.

Chicharito’s departure had been widely anticipated, given his disappointing performances: just two goals in three (six-month) seasons, an appalling goals-to-game ratio for a striker of his supposed caliber.  The fierce criticism he is now receiving from fans stands in stark contrast to the euphoric scenes that greeted his return to the club nearly two years ago.

However, some fellow soccer players sympathized with the Chivas star and commended his bravery.  Commented former Mexico striker Luis Garcia: “I respect, admire and applaud the King Kong balls that Chicharito had (to step forward and take the penalty).”

Chicharito scored 30 goals in 86 appearances for Chivas before moving to England’s Manchester United in 2010, where he netted 59 goals in 157 games. He has also played for clubs in Germany and Spain.

In the other Liga MX semifinal, Monterrey will face Toluca.