Football is a game of passion and unpredictability, where the outcome can change in a matter of moments. Some matches are remembered not just for their results but for the dramatic comebacks that left fans in awe. Here is a countdown of the most incredible comebacks in football history.
10. Barcelona vs. Paris Saint-Germain (2017)
Scoreline: Barcelona 6-1 PSG (6-5 on aggregate)
Competition: UEFA Champions League
PSG came into the second leg with a 4-0 lead. However, Barcelona pulled off a miraculous 6-1 victory at the Camp Nou, with Neymar and Sergi Roberto playing pivotal roles in the dying minutes.
9. AC Milan vs. Liverpool (2005)
Scoreline: Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties)
Competition: UEFA Champions League Final
Dubbed the “Miracle of Istanbul,” Liverpool came back from 0-3 at halftime to equalize and eventually win on penalties, thanks to Jerzy Dudek’s heroics.
8. Manchester City vs. QPR (2012)
Scoreline: Manchester City 3-2 QPR
Competition: Premier League
Needing a win to clinch the title, Manchester City scored two goals in injury time, with Sergio Agüero’s iconic last-minute strike sealing their first Premier League title in 44 years.
7. Tottenham Hotspur vs. Ajax (2019)
Scoreline: Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (3-3 on aggregate, Spurs won on away goals)
Competition: UEFA Champions League Semi-Final
Trailing 0-3 on aggregate at halftime in the second leg, Lucas Moura’s second-half hat-trick, including a last-minute winner, sent Spurs to their first Champions League final.
6. Newcastle United vs. Arsenal (2011)
Scoreline: Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal
Competition: Premier League
Down 0-4 after 26 minutes, Newcastle staged a stunning comeback, with Cheick Tioté scoring the equalizer in the 87th minute.
5. Germany vs. Sweden (2012)
Scoreline: Germany 4-4 Sweden
Competition: FIFA World Cup Qualifier
Germany led 4-0 with just over 30 minutes left, but Sweden scored four times to secure an improbable draw, including a dramatic injury-time equalizer.
4. Real Madrid vs. Manchester City (2022)
Scoreline: Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (6-5 on aggregate)
Competition: UEFA Champions League Semi-Final
Real Madrid scored twice in the 90th minute to force extra time, where Karim Benzema’s penalty completed a historic comeback.
3. Deportivo La Coruña vs. AC Milan (2004)
Scoreline: Deportivo 4-0 AC Milan (5-4 on aggregate)
Competition: UEFA Champions League Quarter-Final
After losing 1-4 in the first leg, Deportivo stunned the reigning champions with an inspired 4-0 victory at home.
2. Brazil vs. Uruguay (1950)
Scoreline: Uruguay 2-1 Brazil
Competition: FIFA World Cup Final
Known as the "Maracanazo," Uruguay came from behind to defeat hosts Brazil in front of a record-breaking crowd at the Maracanã, snatching the World Cup in dramatic fashion.
1. Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich (1999)
Scoreline: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich
Competition: UEFA Champions League Final
Trailing 0-1 as the game entered stoppage time, United scored twice in three minutes through Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær to complete one of the greatest comebacks ever.
These incredible matches remind us why football is called "the beautiful game." The emotional highs and lows, the never-give-up attitude, and the moments of magic are what make these comebacks unforgettable.