Pick of the Bunch: Best Ever UEFA Champions League Matches
There have been countless UEFA CL matches, but very few have stood out.. here in this blog, only the most exciting matches have been featured. From all the twists and turns, the drama, action, and the most astonishing events, you can get everything here! The best of the best when it comes to UEFA Champions League, and surely to keep you glued to your seat.
Manchester United vs Bayern Munich (1999) - FinalFinal Score: Manchester United 2 Bayern Munich 1
Venue: Camp Nou (Barcelona) The Champions League final that gave birth to the first ever English Treble, Manchester United pulled off one of the greatest comebacks in sport's history to win the 1999 Champions League final. Early on, Bayern Munich were in control of the match, as Mario Basler scored off a free kick in the sixth minute, and had several more great chances but were unable to score. But in stoppage time, substitutes Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær were able to score twice off of corners from David Beckham, as Manchester United dramatically won the Champions League final by a 2-1 score. Liverpool vs Milan (2005) - FinalFinal Score: Liverpool 3 AC Milan 3 (Liverpool wins 3-2 on penalties).
Venue: Atatürk Olympic Stadium (Istanbul) One of the most memorable cup finals in history, Liverpool pulled out a comeback for the ages in Istanbul to win their fifth Champions League title. Early in the match, AC Milan were able to get a goal from Paolo Maldini and two goals from Hernán Crespo to give the Rossoneri a 3-0 lead in what appeared to be a hopeless situation for Liverpool. But Liverpool responded with their own three goals within the first 15 minutes of the second half, as Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer, and Xabi Alonso were all able to score to make the score 3-3 and force extra time. After nothing was solved in extra time, the final went to penalties, in which Liverpool were able to win 3-2 to get Liverpool their fifth Champions League trophy in a final that no Liverpool fan will ever forget. Chelsea - Liverpool (2009) - Quarter FinalFew expected thrills and spills when these two were pitted against each other for the fifth season in succession, which made the ludicrous 180 minutes that followed all the more joyous for the neutral, particularly the second instalment. Petr Cech forgot how to keep goal but Didier Drogba returned to his unplayable best. Each side’s Brazilian demonstrated nous from free-kicks in very different ways, Fernando Torres retreated, while Frank Lampard eventually excelled in a match that ebbed and flowed so much as to make even the armchair fan nauseous.
The match played at Stamford Bridge, the home of Chelsea, saw an astonishing 8 goal thriller. Chelsea denied Liverpool the glory of another sensational European comeback to reach the semi-finals of the Champions League with a 7-5 aggregate win. Liverpool, trailing 3-1 from the first leg at Anfield, stunned the Blues with two first-half goals from Fabio Aurelio and Xabi Alonso, who scored a penalty. Yet this incredible contest took another twist when Liverpool scored twice in as many minutes through Lucas and Dirk Kuyt to leave them just one goal adrift of an incredible victory. However, Frank Lampard's second in the 89th minute secured a 4-4 draw on the night and a date with Barcelona. Deportivo - Milan (2004) - Quarter FinalFor the talented Deportivo side, the reigning European champions were waiting. The first leg was played in Milano and despite a 0-1 lead in the San Siro stadium, this was thrown away in the space of nine minutes as Deportivo lost 4-1.
Milan were made to look so feeble in defence as they were in the first 43 minutes of this match. Goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron and Albert Luque brought Deportivo level after they had lost the first leg 4-1 at San Siro. There was an inevitability to Gonzalez Fran’s second-half clincher as the Rossaneri’s defence was swept away in a blue and white cyclone. The amazing comeback of Deportivo also meant that another page of history was added to the Champions League. With the 4-0 victory Deportivo became the first side ever to overcome a three-goal first-leg deficit in this prestigious tournament. Arsenal - Barcelona (2011) - Last 16Arsenal struck twice in five minutes late on as they staged a stirring comeback to beat Champions League favourites Barcelona on a night to savour at the Emirates.
Barcelona looked on course to take a precious lead into the second leg of this last 16 clash at the Nou Camp as they protected the first-half advantage given to them by David Villa. The Catalans wasted chances to strengthen their position, with Lionel Messi an unlikely culprit, leaving the door open for the Gunners to keep their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals alive in spectacular fashion. Robin van Persie equalised 12 minutes from time with a shot that somehow eluded Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes at his near post before substitute Andrey Arshavin sent Arsenal's fans into ecstasy with a crisp finish that gives them a slender lead to take to Spain. The Emirates Stadium was rocking on this incredible night when the North Londoners made an amazing comeback to secure a home win against what would come to be known as the best ever club football side to have graced the planet. Chelsea vs Bayern (2012) - FinalIt was one of the most emotional and nerve-rattling Champions League Finals in recent history.
Chelsea stunned Bayern Munich in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Allianz Arena to win the Champions League for the first time. Thomas Mueller's late header put Bayern on the brink of victory on home territory but Didier Drogba levelled things up with a bullet header at the death before coolly converting the decisive spot-kick. The tournament which gave Chelsea their greatest agony when they lost on penalties to Manchester United four years ago in Moscow has now delivered the greatest glory in their 107-year history. Juan Mata missed Chelsea's first penalty but David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were all successful. Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on target for Bayern. The momentum shifted decisively when Cech denied Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the post to leave Chelsea on the brink and present Drogba with his moment of destiny. He was calmness personified as he rolled the ball past Neuer to spark wild scenes of elation among Chelsea's players, staff and supporters. Real Madrid - Man City (Group Stage) - 2012Cristiano Ronaldo's last-minute winner gave Real Madrid a thrilling victory over Manchester City in a pulsating Champions League clash at the Bernabeu.
City keeper Joe Hart kept his side in the game before they took a shock lead through Edin Dzeko's breakaway goal. Marcelo equalised with a deflected shot but City led again when Aleksandar Kolarov's free-kick flew straight in. In a frantic finale, Karim Benzema levelled before Ronaldo's shot flew past an unsighted Hart to win it. That brought a spectacular sliding celebration from Real boss Jose Mourinho - who had questioned his side's focus and commitment in recent days - and provided an extraordinary finish to a game which had been completely one-sided for long periods. The Spanish side dominated until Dzeko put City ahead after the hour mark, with Hart rescuing his side on several occasions. But, having led with less than three minutes remaining, Roberto Mancini's men will still feel they should have won the game, let alone finish up empty-handed as they began their campaign in Group D. A trip to the home of the Spanish champions always looked a tough way for City to begin their task of reaching the knockout stages for the first time, especially because there was no sign of any lethargy or discontent in the Real camp. Cristiano Ronaldo once again proves his worth to Real Madrid, despite insisting a few games before the match, that he was unhappy. One can tell both player and coach have rekindled their bond with a sensational victory over the English champions. |
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