Ranking top five greatest Champions League matches in history

Famously known as Champions League nights, the UEFA Champions League has always provided some of the most exhilarating moments in football history. History, glory, and heartbreak are intertwined in dramatic 90-minute spectacles, and sometimes more than 90 minutes. From the famous “Fergie Time” to “That Night in Istanbul,” Champions League nights have been all about last-minute comebacks and tactical masterclasses. 

It is not the scoreline or the stakes that makes a Champions League famous and breathtaking but it is the human drama and raw emotions that unfolds on the pitch. It is the champion teams bringing their best on the pitch. Either it's individual brilliance or the team putting everything at stake to win it for their side. Here are the top five greatest Champions League matches in history where the games tell a unique story of skill, resilience and grit in European football. These are the epic tales that make the tournament a great competition. 

5. Bayern Munich 1-2 Manchester United - 1999 Final

The game gave multiple catchphrases for football fans to devor. The origin of “Football, Bloody Hell”  by Sir Alex Ferguson happened at Camp Nou after the game which lived up to the hype. Manchester United and Bayern Munich faced off to win the treble in their own leagues. The German outfit were leading the game for most of it with Mario Basler’s early free-kick which remained low, leaving Schmeichel flat-footed. While Manchester United dominated the possession, they failed to get going. 

Come the 90th minute, David Beckham floated the ball in, a pinball happened with Bayern Munich defenders failing to clear the ball effectively. The ball fell into Teddy Sheringham’s foot, finding the back of the net. With United finding the equalizer, Bayern Munich lost the confidence they had throughout the game. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s best moment was yet to come. Sheringham's header which was missing the goal was met by Solskjaer’s right foot finding the roof of the net, helping Manchester United win the UEFA Champions League. 

4) Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan - 2005 Final - Liverpool won on penalties

That night in Istanbul became a famous quote because of two things. One is Liverpool's performance which was a function of grit and determination, and the most important one, Liverpool fans. The greatest comeback in the history of the Champions League finals happened between two of the best sides in Europe, AC Milan and Liverpool. 

Milan’s first half was a perfect watch for the Milan fans and they could not expect anything better than that. AC Milan scored thrice in the first half. Paolo Maldini scored the first one whereas Hernan Crespo made the lead triple by scoring a brace at the half time. The Italian outfit was heading to lift the continental title. When Liverpool looked dead and buried, Steve Gerrard scored in the 54th minute to pull the goal back. Two minutes later, Smicer scored a stunner whereas Xabi scored on the hour mark to make it 3-3. Dudek’s double save in the extra time and penalty heroics helped the side to get a fairytale ending. 

3) Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain- 2017 Round of 16, Second Leg

One of the top games that gets defined under “La Remontada” in the history of Champions League football. Barcelona were up against Paris St Germain in the Round of 16 and they had one of the horrible games in France. The Catalonian outfit were four goals behind after the first leg of the game. 

In the second leg at Camp Nou, Barcelona needed a miracle. Luis Suarez scored the early goal to reduce the deficit to three goals but Cavani’s goal in the 62nd minute increased the target of Barcelona. They had to score five goals to win the game. Neymar scored twice in the 88th and 91st minutes while also assisting Sergio Roberto in the 95th minute to send Camp Nou into delirium. This match again emphasized that in football, nothing is impossible until the final whistle is blown. 

2) Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid - 2014 Final

The first Madrid derby in the Champions League finals history, headed towards Atletico Madrid winning the Champions League until the 93rd minute. This was the game where Cristiano Ronaldo showed he was him. Diego Godin’s first-half header gave Diego Simeone’s side the important lead and their masterclass defense made Real Madrid sweet. 

However, Sergio Ramos had other plans. His last-gasp header in the injury time pushed the game to extra time. In the box, the Spanish central defender dominated the defender who had marked him to steal the goal under their nose. This was the momentum shifting away from Rojiblancos. Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Marcelo scored in the extra time to complete Real Madrd’s “La Decima” conquest while Atletico Madrid fans went home heartbroken. 

1) AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool - 2007 Final - Milan won 2-1

When the final dates were announced for the fixture between AC Milan and Liverpool, the “Athens Revenge” was on the cards. After failing to contain the 3-0 lead, the Italian outfit was seeking revenge for what had happened in Istanbul. The Rossoneris were not in the mood to give up this time. 

Contrary to the Istanbul finals, Liverpool dominated the proceedings with Gerrard pulling the strings and dictating the game from the midfield. While it looked like Liverpool would go to lead at the half time, against the run of play, AC Milan scored via Filippo Inzaghi to go 1-0 at halftime. In the 82nd minute, Inzaghi scored again to make it 2-0 and Milan's defense shored up to not let the lead slip. However, Kuyt halved the deficit for Liverpool but the Italian outfit held themselves firm to secure their second-ever Champions League, making it a dream come true for their fans with this redemption.