The UEFA Champions League is known for its drama and excitement. It is the most prestigious club competition in the world and it is very difficult to get into, let alone win the trophy. It is always the peak of the season once the knockout stages start. Over the years, there have been many incredible comebacks, and here are some of the greatest of all time:
1. Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain (2017)
Source: nyt.com
In the first leg of the round of 16, Barcelona travelled to Paris and were beaten 4-0 by PSG. The match was over as a contest by half-time, with PSG leading 3-0. Barcelona was facing an uphill battle in the second leg, but they were determined to make a comeback.
The match started brightly for Barcelona, and they were level by the 34th minute thanks to goals from Luis Suarez and Neymar. PSG regained the lead in the 50th minute, but Barcelona refused to give up. They scored three more goals in the second half, with Neymar scoring twice and Sergi Roberto scoring once. The final score was 6-1, and Barcelona had pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
2. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (2019)
Source: barcablaugranes.com
In the semi-finals of the Champions League, Liverpool faced Barcelona at Anfield. Barcelona had won the first leg 3-0 at the Camp Nou, and it looked like they were on their way to the final. However, Liverpool had other ideas.
The match started brightly for Liverpool, and they were level by the 39th minute thanks to a goal from Divock Origi. Liverpool continued to press in the second half, and they scored three more goals in the 54th, 55th, and 79th minutes. The final score was 4-0, and Liverpool had pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
3. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1999)
The 1999 Champions League final was one of the most famous matches in history. Manchester United faced Bayern Munich in the final, and the match was tied 1-1 after extra time. In the last minute of the match, Manchester United scored two goals to win the match 2-1.
The first goal was scored by Teddy Sheringham, and the second goal was scored by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The goals were scored in injury time, and they were the most dramatic goals in Champions League history. Manchester United had won the Champions League, and they had done it in the most dramatic fashion possible.
4. Roma 3-0 Barcelona (2018)
Source: eurosport.com
In the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Roma faced Barcelona. Barcelona had won the first leg 4-1 at the Camp Nou, and it looked like they were on their way to the semi-finals. However, Roma had other ideas.
The match started brightly for Roma, and they were level by the 32nd minute thanks to a goal from Edin Dzeko. Roma continued to press in the second half, and they scored two more goals in the 58th and 82nd minutes. The final score was 3-0, and Roma had pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
5. AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool (2005)
The 2005 Champions League final was another of the most famous matches in history. AC Milan faced Liverpool in the final, and the match was tied 3-3 after extra time. In the penalty shootout, Liverpool won 3-2.
The match was full of drama, and it went down to the wire. AC Milan had led 3-0 at half-time, but Liverpool came back to level the match in the second half. In the penalty shootout, Liverpool scored all three of their penalties, while AC Milan missed one. Liverpool had won the Champions League, and they had done it in the most dramatic fashion possible.
6. Real Madrid 3-1 Wolfsburg (2016)
In the quarterfinals of the Champions League, Real Madrid faced Wolfsburg. Wolfsburg had won the first leg 2-0 at home, and it looked like they were on their way to the semi-finals. However, Real Madrid had other ideas.
The match started brightly for Real Madrid, and they were level by the 25th minute thanks to a goal from Cristiano Ronaldo. Wolfsburg regained the lead in the 49th minute, but Real Madrid refused to give up. They scored two more goals in the second half, with Ronaldo scoring again and Karim Benzema scoring once. The final score was 3-1, and Real Madrid had pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.
This match was particularly impressive because Real Madrid had to overcome a two-goal deficit, and they did it in just 45 minutes. The match was also full of drama, with both teams creating chances and both teams defending well. In the end, it was Real Madrid who came out on top, and they did it in style.
7. Chelsea 4-1 Napoli
Source: snl24.com
Here is an often-forgotten comeback that happened over a decade ago. It was the peak of the golden generation of Chelsea when legends like Drogba, Lampard, and Terry still played. The matchup against the Italians in the 2011-2012 UEFA Champions League Round of 16 went down in history.
In the first leg, played in Naples, Napoli won 3-1, putting Chelsea in a very difficult position. Chelsea’s form in the competition had been inconsistent, and the defeat seemed to suggest an imminent elimination and another disappointing European football season.
The second leg, played at the legendary Stamford Bridge, was a different story altogether. Chelsea managed to overturn the deficit with a remarkable performance. They won the match 4-1 after extra time, taking the aggregate score to 5-4 in their favor. The goals were scored by Didier Drogba, John Terry, and Frank Lampard, the aforementioned club and sport icons, with a crucial goal in extra time by the Serbian Branislav Ivanović.
The comeback symbolized a turning point in Chelsea’s season. They went on to win the Champions League that year, defeating Bayern Munich in the final. The victory over Napoli is often seen as the spark that ignited their successful run, and it remains an unforgettable moment in the club’s history.
