Ahead of the return of European football, we've picked out 10 of the greatest Champions League comebacks.
This elite club competition has always been associated with heroic rallies and late drama, and these are just some of the most memorable examples.
Real Madrid vs Man City
2022: REAL MADRID 3 MAN CITY 1
City were totally in control of this semi-final after following up a 4-3 home win by leading 1-0 in the closing stages at the Bernabeu. Rodrygo's 90th-minute strike seemed little more than a consolation effort, but he netted again a minute later to send the tie into extra-time, and Karim Benzema completed an unlikely comeback from the penalty spot.
Ajax vs Tottenham
MAY 2019: AJAX 2 TOTTENHAM 3
Lucas Moura’s dramatic second-half hat-trick set up a stunning win for Spurs, who looked dead and buried at half-time at the Johan Cruyff ArenA as they trailed 2-0 on the night and 3-0 on aggregate. However, a miraculous comeback, spearheaded by Moura, was completed deep into added time when the Brazilian slotted home a loose ball to seal away goals success and a place in the final.
Liverpool vs Barcelona
MAY 2019: LIVERPOOL 4 BARCELONA 0
Just 24 hours earlier, the Reds had a mountain to climb after losing 3-0 at Camp Nou in the first leg of that season's other semi-final clash. However, despite the absence of star forwards Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, a fired-up Anfield crowd witnessed one of the greatest Champions League comebacks as Divock Origi and Georginio Wijnaldum both hit doubles to send the home fans wild.
PSG vs Man Utd
MARCH 2019: PSG 1 MAN UTD 3
United appeared out for the count after being outclassed in a 2-0 loss at Old Trafford in the opening encounter, but then enjoyed a night to remember at Parc des Princes. Romelu Lukaku's second-minute strike was cancelled out by Juan Bernat, but the Belgium forward hit the target again on the half-hour mark. Deep into injury time, the Red Devils were awarded a controversial penalty via VAR, and Marcus Rashford held his nerve from the spot.
Roma vs Barcelona
APRIL 2018: ROMA 3 BARCELONA 0
After a 4-1 win at Camp Nou, Barca went to Rome looking certain of a place in the semi-finals. But it all went wrong for the Catalans inside the Stadio Olimpico. Edin Dzeko struck early to give Roma confidence, and Daniele De Rossi added a second from the penalty spot just before the hour to set up a tense finish. Barcelona could not respond, and Kostas Manolas’ 82nd-minute header sent them out.
Barcelona vs PSG
MARCH 2017: BARCELONA 6 PSG 1
Barca performed their own great escape in this last-16 tie. The Catalan giants had been crushed 4-0 in Paris but turned on the style on home turf. Luis Suarez, an own goal and a Lionel Messi penalty sparked hopes of a miraculous rally before Edinson Cavani seemed to have settled PSG nerves. However, Neymar netted twice in the 88th and 91st minutes, and Sergi Roberto wrapped up the aggregate triumph deep into stoppage time.
Liverpool vs AC Milan
MAY 2005: LIVERPOOL 3 AC MILAN 3
At 3-0 down in the final in Istanbul, Liverpool looked finished. They staged a magnificent comeback, though, with goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso taking the match to extra-time. Jerzy Dudek was the penalty shoot-out hero as Rafael Benitez led the Reds to a stunning triumph.
Deportivo vs AC Milan
APRIL 2004: DEPORTIVO 4 AC MILAN 0
Milan, the defending champions and tournament favourites, thrashed Deportivo 4-1 in the first leg of their quarter-final tie and seemed set for a cruise into the last four. But Deportivo pulled off a performance for the ages in the second leg. Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque made it 3-0 a minute before the break. Milan seemed certain to respond but mustered nothing, and Depor’s club captain Fran sealed the comeback in the 76th minute.
Man Utd vs Bayern Munich
MAY 1999: MAN UTD 2 BAYERN MUNICH 1
Sir Alex Ferguson enjoyed many dramatic late victories, but nothing could ever top the chaos of this Camp Nou miracle. Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer both struck in stoppage time to overturn Mario Basler’s early opener and grab the European title for United in exhilarating fashion.
Juventus vs Man Utd
APRIL 1999: JUVENTUS 2 MAN UTD 3
After drawing the first leg of the semi-final 1-1 at Old Trafford, Filippo Inzaghi’s brace had United 2-0 down in the second leg after just 11 minutes, but Roy Keane, Dwight Yorke and Andy Cole sent Ferguson’s men into their first final for 31 years.
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