RANKED! Top 10 Champions League matches of all time (10-1)

Sportsdunia DeskModified: 24 May 2024 10:23 AM

Champions League

The UEFA Champions League is widely regarded as the top club competition in world football. The best teams across Europe take part in the competition, with one of them emerging victorious. Over the years, some stellar games have amazed fans. In this article, we rank the top Champions League matches of all time.

top Champions League matches of all time

10. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona

In the 2018-19 Champions League semi-final first leg, Barcelona earned a 3-0 win over Liverpool at Camp Nou, courtesy of a Lionel Messi brace. Heading into the second leg, Liverpool had the unthinkable task of winning by a margin of four goals to reach the final. Divock Origi scored early in the second leg at Anfield to give the Reds hope.

However, Gini Wijnaldum’s quick-fire brace in the second half was the game-changer, as it brought Liverpool level. Origi then scored his second of the night late in the game from a cheeky corner to make it 4-0. It is one of the best comebacks in the history of the competition.

9. Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Malaga

Malaga’s only appearance in the Champions League came in the 2012-13 season. They were minutes away from reaching the semi-final that year. The Spanish side took a 2-1 lead in the quarter-final second leg at the Signal Iduna Park when Eliseu scored late.

However, Marco Reus gave Dortmund a glimmer of hope with his injury-time goal. Dortmund needed another due to the away goals rule and Felipe Santana scored a late winner to send the Bundesliga side to the last four, where they defeated Real Madrid.

8. Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (Bayern go through on penalties):

In the 2011-12 Champions League semi-final first leg, Bayern Munich won 2-1 at the Allianz Arena. Real Madrid needed at least two goals in the second leg and Cristiano Ronaldo struck twice before the quarter of the hour mark to put his side level. Arjen Robben scored a penalty to bring Bayern back on level terms.

The scoreline remained the same even after extra time and the game headed to extra time. Manuel Neuer brilliantly denied Ronaldo and Kaka’s shots. While Iker Casillas responded by saving Toni Kroos and Philip Lahm’s penalties, Sergio Ramos skied his shot. Bastian Schweinsteiger scored to send Bayern through to the finals.

7. Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City

In the 2021-22 Champions League semi-final, Manchester City won 4-3 in the first leg at the Etihad. The Cityzens took the lead in the second leg through a 75th-minute Riyad Mahrez goal. Los Blancos needed to score twice to stay in the competition. Rodrygo scored a brace in injury time to put his side back on level terms. Karim Benzema‘s penalty in extra time sealed a spot in the final for Carlo Ancelotti’s team.

6. Manchester United 1-1 Porto

In the 2003-04 season, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United met Jose Mourinho’s Porto in the round of 16. Porto won the first leg in Portugal 2-1. United, however, took a 32nd-minute lead at Old Trafford through Paul Scholes. As it looked like Porto were going out via away goals, Costinha scored in the 90th minute to send them through to the quarter-finals. Porto eventually went on to win the competition that season.

5. Chelsea1-1 Bayern Munich

Chelsea and Bayern Munich met in the 2011-12 Champions League final at the Allianz Arena. Bayern were the away side in their own ground. The Bavarians, though, took a late lead through Thomas Muller’s 83rd-minute header. Chelsea, however, kept in line with their miracle CL campaign that season and found a way back through Didier Drogba’s 88th-minute thumping header.

Drogba, though, turned from a hero to a villain soon as he gave away a penalty in extra time. Petr Cech rose to the occasion and denied Arjen Robben. The game headed to penalties and while Neuer denied Juan Mata, Cech kept out Ivica Olic and Scweinsteiger’s efforts. Drogba took the final spot kick to win his club their first-ever CL title. Interim manager Robert Di Matteo was in seventh heaven.

4. Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid

It was the Madrid derby in Lisbon for the 2013-14 Champions League final. Diego Godin gave Atletico Madrid the lead due to an Iker Casillas error and Los Rojiblancos were ahead until the 93rd minute. Sergio Ramos saved Real Madrid’s La Decima hopes with an iconic 92:48 header. Real took over in extra time with Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo scoring to seal a 4-1 win.

3. Barcelona 2-2 Chelsea

Barcelona were the outright favorites when Chelsea and Barcelona met in the 2011-12 Champions League semi-finals. Chelsea, however, won the first leg at Stamford Bridge 1-0, courtesy of a Drogba goal. Barcelona leveled on aggregate in the second leg through Sergio Busquets. However, John Terry was sent off shortly afterward, leaving Chelsea with 10-men. Andres Iniesta delivered yet another crushing blow to Chelsea soon.

Ramires, however, pulled one back and Chelsea back in the driver’s seat with a delightful chip in the injury time of the first half. Lionel Messi missed a penalty at the start of the second half. While Barca continued to pile pressure against short on numbers Chelsea, Fernando Torres found himself free in the injury time of the second half and scored to seal Chelsea’s spot in the final.

2. Barcelona 1-0 Inter Milan

Barcelona vs. Inter Milan in the 2009-10 season was a clash of Pep Guardiola’s tikitaka football against Jose Mourinho’s defensive resolute. Inter shocked Barca in the first leg, winning 3-1 at San Siro. Barca controlled the majority of the second leg.

Inter’s Thiago Motta was even sent off early in the second leg. Julio Cesar made a few superb saves to deny the menacing Lionel Messi. While Gerard Pique did pull one back for Barca, they couldn’t score another, meaning Inter booked a spot in the final. Fans still remember Jose Mourinho’s iconic celebration at Camp Nou.

1. AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool (Liverpool win on penalties)

Liverpool’s comeback win against AC Milan in the 2004-05 UCL final was nothing short of a miracle. The Rossoneri took a 3-0 first-half lead with Paolo Maldini scoring in the first minute and Hernan Crespo scoring a brace. Milan had stalwarts like Maldini, Nesta, Cafu, and Japp Stam in their backline while Dida was the goalkeeper.

Liverpool, however, scored thrice in six minutes in the second half. Steven Gerrard started the comeback with a 54th-minute header before Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso scored to restore parity. It was one of the most extraordinary comebacks in CL history. Rafa Benitez’s side eventually went on to win the trophy via penalties.

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