The greatest comebacks in Champions League history | OneFootball

What is the greatest comeback in Champions League history? From second-leg fightbacks to stunning late shows and underdog tales, we’ve revisited the most memorable turnarounds in the competition’s history.

Barcelona added a candidate for this list on Tuesday night, as the Catalans came from behind to win a thriller at Benfica. Trailing 3-1 and 4-2 on the night in Lisbon, a last-gasp Raphinha goal secured a famous 5-4 win for the visitors.

The best comebacks in Champions League history

Juventus 2-3 Manchester United, 1998/99

Juventus were a force to be reckoned with in the late nineties. In 1998/99, the Old Lady were looking to reach a third straight Champions League final.

Filippo Inzaghi’s double inside 11 minutes against Manchester United put Juventus 3-1 ahead on aggregate in the second leg of their semi-final, as the Serie A side took control of the tie in Turin. For Manchester United, it looked set to be another near miss in their quest for an elusive European crown under Sir Alex Ferguson.

But this United side was made of sterner stuff. Led by an inspired Roy Keane, the visitors fought back. Keane headed in a lifeline, before continuing to cover every blade of grass even amid the disappointment of a booking that meant he missed the final.

Dwight Yorke equalised before half-time to put United ahead on away goals and Andy Cole steered in a late third to seal United’s first European Cup final in 31 years.

Iconic Performances: Roy Keane’s superhuman display v Juventus

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich, 1998/99

Just over a month later, Manchester United’s never-say-die attitude culminated in the greatest success in their history.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s men were second-best throughout in an uneventful final against Bayern Munich, who led through Mario Basler’s free-kick heading into stoppage time. Ferguson’s roll of the dice saw Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer introduced from the bench, in a desperate bid to save the club’s treble dream.

The duo delivered in a two-minute spell that is etched into Champions League folklore.

First, Sheringham reacted to a stray shot to scuff home an equaliser, before Solskjaer’s outstretched boot diverted Sheringham’s flick into the roof of the net moments later. United’s super subs had won it – and sealed a historic treble.

Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan, 2003/04

History was against Deportivo La Coruna ahead of their second leg against AC Milan in 2003/04.

No team had ever managed to overturn a three-goal first-leg deficit in the history of the Champions League, with the Spaniards beaten 4-1 at the San Siro.

Incredibly, Javier Irureta’s side stunned their visitors at The Riazor. Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque gave the La Liga side a 3-0 half-time lead and their comeback was complete when Fran struck a 76th-minute winner.

Super Depor indeed.

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan, 2004/05

There’s a reason the 2005 Champions League final is known as The Miracle of Istanbul.

Liverpool, surprise finalists under Rafael Benitez, began the contest as huge underdogs against a formidable AC Milan side. Paolo Maldini opened the scoring for Milan inside 52 seconds and when Hernan Crespo’s double made it 3-0 before half-time, there were fears from the Liverpool contingent over a humiliating embarrassment on football’s biggest stage.

With The Atatürk Stadium soundtracked by ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ at half-time, Liverpool returned regrouped and hoping to salvage some respectability. What occurred, was something unimaginable.

As Didi Hamann shacked the previously untouchable Kaka, Steven Gerrard produced his latest Roy of the Rovers impression. He scored the first before further goals from Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso concluded a stunning six-minute spell. Liverpool were level.

The Reds rode their luck with Jerzy Dudek the hero, saving from Andriy Shevchenko at point-blank range in extra time before thwarting the Ukrainian again in the shootout. That save was decisive, as the Reds won their fifth European crown.

Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain, 2016/17

La Remontada became a popular term in football’s lexicon largely thanks to Barcelona’s utterly unbelievable comeback against PSG in 2017.

Barca had been battered in the first meeting, losing 4-0 in Paris to leave their Champions League hopes in ruin. No side had ever turned around a 4-0 first-leg deficit in the Champions League era.

Until now.

The Spaniards steamed into a 3-0 lead inside 50 minutes, though Edinson Cavani’s sucker punch for PSG looked like a knockout blow. Somehow, Barcelona came again. Led by Neymar, the Catalans scored three times in the final five minutes to progress.

Sergi Roberto’s winner, virtually the last kick of the game, sparked scenes of pandemonium inside the Camp Nou.

Iconic Performances: Neymar inspires ‘La Remontada’

Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona, 2018/19

Liverpool are no strangers to European comebacks, but beating Barcelona to reach the 2019 final looked highly unlikely.

Lionel Messi’s magic had handed the Spanish side a 3-0 lead to protect at Anfield, while the absence of Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino only added to the challenge of the hosts. Anfield, however, is often the stage for special nights.

Divock Origi opened the scoring early on before half-time substitute Georgino Wijnaldum transformed the contest. The Dutchman struck twice in two minutes to level the tie, with the Spanish side shellshocked and the home crowd in full voice.

Then came the moment. A quickly-taken corner from Trent Alexander-Arnold. A sweeping finish from Divock Origi. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona. Bedlam.

Ajax 2-3 Tottenham, 2018/19

The very next night, Tottenham completed their own captivating comeback to join Liverpool in the final.

Spurs had lost the home leg to an entertaining Ajax side and found themselves 2-0 down in the return. The North Londoners looked down and out until Lucas Moura’s quick-fire double changed the complexion of the clash.

Needing just one more to progress – it arrived. Six minutes into stoppage time, Moura sealed his hat-trick – and progress for Spurs on away goals.

Read – The highest scoring Champions League games of all time

See more – The most chaotic ending ever to a Champions League match

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