Greatest Comebacks in Football History

Do you know why football is the most popular sport all around the globe? You might say it's because of the excitement and exhilaration it brings about. But what is the source of these elation and euphoria? Perhaps the key factor in forming this popularity is that football is extremely unpredictable.

It doesn't matter if your team has the lead with 4 goals, the result can turn around in less than 4 minutes, and you become the loser. In football, nothing is over until the game is truly over. Every single player must keep going until the final whistle because that is the only moment that you can make sure that the result cannot be changed. "Comebacks" happen in football, and they are not scarce.

They take the winner team's fans to the top, feeding them the sweet taste of joy after having experienced not having the lead for a period of time. Comebacks are indeed more enjoyable than a regular victory, and that's why they stay on the minds of the fans for good.

And on the other hand, they are more painful than a defeat for the loser side, since once you have had a taste of victory, it becomes very tough to see everything is lost. There have occurred numerous memorable comebacks in football history, and in this article we have tried to mention some of the biggest comebacks in soccer history which will be remembered by football lovers for a very long time.

Greatest Comebacks in Football History:

The memory of these games which can be referred to as 'miracles', or whatever heroic names they have been given by the fans, are carved on brain cells of the winner team's fans. Now, let's get to the list of the

best football comebacks

.

Barcelona 6 – 1 Paris Saint-Germain

2nd leg fixture of round of 16 of UEFA Champions League, 2017, Camp Nou Stadium

The game is arguably regarded as the greatest comeback in the history of football, and one of the most memorable matches in the history of UEFA Champions League.

In the 2016/17 season of UCL where

had won the first leg match 4 – 0, nobody gave so much chance to

to turn around the result, yet they made it possible by accomplishing one of the

greatest comebacks in football history

. Moreover, the match has been a very controversial one due to the referee's decisions. The game was just a sign to show us that miracles exist, especially in our beloved sport- football!

The match started perfectly for Barcelona, who at least needed 4 goals without conceding any just to make it a tie, and take the match to extra times. Luis Suarez scored an early goal in the 3rd minute, and brought back hope to the hearts of Blaugrana fans.

While Barcelona was having the lead, the referee denied a handball of Javier Mascherano, Barcelona's defender, in the penalty area, and that was his first controversial decision. In the 40th minute, Layvin Kurzawa gifted Barcelona an own goal, making the halftime result 2 – 0 in favor of Barcelona, which mathematically speaking, was precisely what they sought. Minute 50 of the game was when Thomas Meunier gave away a penalty and

scored.

It was 3 – 0, and Blaugrana needed only 1 goal to do the impossible, and their fans were over the moon. However, it did not last long.

scored a beautiful volley in the 62nd minute, and made the score 3 – 1.

Barcelona now needs 3 more goals to go through next stage, which seemed truly infeasible, given the fact that the score did not change until the 88th minute of the match, but that was when the twist started to happen:

scored a brilliant goal from a free kick.

He seemed to be only player who still had hope. 2 More goals were needed, there was not much time left, but there was just enough for scoring 2 goals in football. 91st minute of the game, and the referee pointed to the penalty spot for Barcelona, which was another of his controversial issues.

Neymar makes the aggregate score 5 – 5, but there is still one more goal required. 4 minutes later, Neymar makes a cross to the PSG's penalty area, and Sergi Roberto scored the redemption goal!

They have achieved the impossible, and qualified for the quarter finals of the UEFA Champions League. This game, which is referred to by the name "La Remontada" (The Comeback), is indubitably one of the

greatest footballing comebacks of all time

.

Ajax 2 – 3 Totttenham

2nd leg fixture of semi-finals of UEFA Champions League, 2019, Cruyff Arena stadium (Tottanham won on away goals)

has been the winner team in one of the greatest comebacks in football history. After losing 1 – 0 to

in the first leg match on the home soil, Tottenham came to Netherlands with high hopes to accomplish a light comeback and reach the final match of the biggest club tournament in the world for the first time in the club's history.

However, the things did not start well for the British team when

, Ajax's 19-year-old captain, scored a header in the 15th minute of the game. The situation even worsened when Hakim Ziyech doubled the lead in the minute 35 of the game, and Tottenham was not putting enough pressure on them, as if they did not have the ample power to do so.

On the other hand, you can never say what is going to happen in a football match for sure, because it always surprises you, as it did in this match. The first half ended 2 – 0 for Ajax, and they had the lead 3 – 0 on aggregate. In the second half of the game, it turned around when Lucas Moura scored 3 goals within 4 minutes for Tottenham in the minutes 54th and 59th.

There was still 1 more goal required for them to become the finalists, and the clock was ticking as fast as possible for Pochettinho's boys. It was the last minute of the game – 90 + 6'- when the Brazilian winger, Lucas Moura, received the pass from

, and completed his hat-trick in the best way possible.

He took his team to the UCL final match along with accomplishing a memorable comeback. Tottenham turned the 3 – 0 to the 3 – 3, showed everybody in the world of football that this is a sport of miracles, this is a sport in which you cannot lose hope until the last second, and this is a sport which rewards you if you don't give up. This game is one of the best football comebacks in recent years, and in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

AS Roma 3 – 0 Barcelona

2nd leg fixture of quarter finals of UEFA Champions League, 2018, Stadio Olimpico (AS Roma won on away goals)

This game was one of the most insane and

greatest comebacks in football history

. Nobody would have predicted that

would go through the semi-finals after losing the first leg match 4 – 1 in Camp Nou to Barcelona, which was said to be the team with the most chances to win the title.

However, they fought until the last second, and made the game one of the most memorable games in the history of the Champions League, and one of the bitterest defeats for Blaugrana fans which will forever be stuck in their minds, reminding them of that cursed night. Roma took the lead with

's early goal which was scored in the 6th minute of the match.

Barcelona players seemed to be completely after this first goal due to the heavy atmosphere of the Stadio Olimpico, and could not get themselves together until it was too late. The gladiators of Roma did what they believed in, even though no one else had the slightest faith in them.

In the minute of 58,

gave away a needless penalty, and AS Roma's captain, Danielle De Rossi, scored from the penalty spot to make the score 2 – 0. At that point, Barcelona seemed to be defeated even before conceding the 3rd goal.

Eventually, Kostas Manolas scored Roma's 3rd goal with a brilliant header in the 82nd minute of the match, and made Peter Drury, the games commentator, say the following words which has gone in the history book of the memorable live commentaries," Roma have risen from their ruins! Manolas, the Greek God in Rome. The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes.

This was not meant to happen, this could not happen, this is happening! (Roma boss Eusebio) Di Francesco does not know where to go, (Andres) Iniesta does not know where to look.

“IMountt’s a Greek from Olympus, who has come to the Seven Hills of Rome and pulled off miracle!" And yes! The gladiators had accomplished the impossible mission, their will to win overcome every odd against them, and they are the winners of one of the best football comebacks in the history.

Barcelona's pride was questioned, and that was one of the abundant examples of when underdogs prove all of the people who assumed them losers in advance wrong.

Liverpool 3 – 3 AC Milan

Final match of the UEFA Champions League, Ataturk Olympic Stadium, 2005 (Liverpool won on penalties)

The final match of the 2004/5 Champions League has become one of the most unforgettable and outstanding games in the history of the tournament. The match which is referred to by "The Miracle of Istanbul" was contested between AC Milan and

, and turned out to be one of

the best football comebacks of all times

. And now, let's get to what happened at this insane match:

Milan made an unbelievable start! Almost immediately, a totally unmarked Paolo Maldini scores for AC Milan with a 12-yard volley through a sea of players. It came from a set-piece - free-kick taken by Milan's engineer in the midfield, Andrea Pirlo.

A blinding start. Milan were one up after only 50 seconds, and the goal has been the earliest goal that has ever been scored in the history of the UEFA Champions League, and Paolo Maldini became the oldest goal scorer in the history of the tournament.

Hernan Crespo scored a double in the 39th and 44th minute of the first half, making the score 3 – 0! It seemed almost impossible for Liverpool to turn the match around, given the fact that that AC Milan was one of the best of their history, with so many legendary players and the legendary coach Carlo Ancelotti.

However, football once again showed everyone how unpredictable it can be, when Liverpool scored three goals within only 6 minutes: Steven Gerrad with the great header in 54', Šmicer beat Dida-Milan's Goal keeper- with a long-range shot into the bottom left-hand corner in 56', and Xabi Alonso from the penalty spot in 60'.

Everything became even in the most incredible way possible. The commentator of the match said:" Mission impossible has been accomplished!" 5 Minutes earlier they were the certain losers of the match, and now they have made an astonishing comeback, one of the greatest comebacks in football history.

After 90 minutes the match went to the extra times, and with the luminous performances of both goal keepers the game's final result went to be determined in the penalty shootouts, where Liverpool's goalkeeper (DUDEK), saved two penalties and bring the cup to Anfiled.

Liverpool won the match in which they had lost the first half 3 – 0 to one of the best teams of the decade, and proved that the word "impossible" does not have a place in a football fan's dictionary.

Liverpool 4 – 0 Barcelona

2nd leg fixture of UEFA Champions League, Anfield Stadium, 2019, (Liverpool won 4 – 3 on aggregate)

In the semi-finals of 2018/19 Champions League happened one of the most insane and greatest comebacks in football history where Liverpool won Barcelona 4 – 0 after losing 3 – 0 in the first leg match in Spain. It seems like the name of Liverpool and comebacks are knotted forever.

The great Barcelona, which was in a great form in those days had crushed the Reds of Anfield in Camp Nou Stadium, but Jurgen Klopp, Liverpool's manager, and had faith, and conveyed his faith to his players by saying:" It seems impossible, but it is not impossible. Let’s give it our best and if we are to fail, let’s fail in a very beautiful manner."

Moreover, another thing that makes this comeback stand out brightly is the fact that Liverpool's stars,

and

, could not play in the match, and the team was deprived of having 2 of its most decisive players.

The match started and it felt from the beginning that something miraculous was going to happen when Divock Origi netted in the 7th minute of the match, bringing sheer hope to hearts of millions of fans. The first half finished 1 – 0 and Barcelona still had the upper hand.

came in for Liverpool at the start of the second half, and became the hero of the game. He scored 2 goals within 2 minutes in 54' and 56'. Everything has become even in the blink of an eye. Barcelona's 3-goal lead was destroyed and more than half an hour was still remaining.

With Liverpool dominating the match, it was not hard to predict the final result of the game. And in the 78th minute, the comeback completed when Trent Alexander-Arnold's excellent intelligence lead to him sending a corner kick on the ground while Barcelona defenders were negligent, and Divock Origi scored the 4th goal, sending Liverpool to the final match of the Champions League, where they later achieved the title against Tottenham.

Barcelona, who themselves had made one of the greatest comebacks in football history back in 2017 against Paris Saint-Germain, now has become a victim of a dreamy comeback, which is now referred to as one of

the

biggest comebacks in soccer history

.

Manchester United 2 – 1 Bayern Munich

Final match of the UEFA Champions League, 1999, Camp Nou Stadium

While the scoreline may not seem eye catching, this game has been known as not only one of the best football comebacks, but also as one of the greatest finals in UEFA Champions League history.

The two teams had met in the group stages, both drawn, and made their way to the final match to compete one more time, this time, to win the title.

The Red Devils were following the European Treble, in the season in which they had won both the Premier League and the FA Cup, and only the UCL title was left in order to complete the trio.

Only 6 minutes into the match, Ronny Johnsen fouled Bayern striker Jancker just outside the area, and Basler placed a low free kick that went straight in to the Manchester United goal.

During the first half, United tried to keep the possession of the ball, but remained unable to create many good opportunities, as Bayern defense played very strongly.

United sent in Teddy Sheringham in 67', the 80th minute of the game, when the game seemed to be out of United's hands and the title was drifting away from them, Sir Alex Ferguson sent in his "Golden Substitution" and brought in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Manchester's pressure was getting extremely high as the match approached its ending minutes making Bayern's keeper, Oliver Kahn, have to make lots of saves. The fourth official indiciated 3 added minutes, and in the meantime United were given a corner.

Peter Schmeicel went to Bayern's penalty area to help the attack since there was nothing to lose for the Red Devils.

David Beckham crossed the ball in just over Schmeichel's head, Yorke put the ball back towards the crowded area, and after Fink failed to clear the danger, Ryan Giggs received the ball at the edge of the area.

His right-footed shot was weak and without the sufficient power, but it went straight to Teddy Sheringham, who was also swiped at the shot with his right foot, and sent the ball in the bottom corner of the cursed goal. It was 90 + 0:36'and everything has become even. Less than 30 second after the equalizer, United awarded another corner.

Once again, David Beckham flew the corner on the head of Teddy Sheringham who shot the ball with his head towards the goal, assisting Ole Gunnar Solskjaer who reacted as fast as possible and shot the ball into the rood of Bayern's goal, making Manchester United the winner of the most dramatic final in the Champions League history, and accomplishing one of the

greatest comebacks in football history

.

The time was 90 + 2:17', and mission impossible was done by the 2 players who came in as a substitution.  Here is Clive Tyldesley's live commentary on ITV's broadcast call of Sheringham's injury time equalizer, "Beckham in towards Schmeichel.

It's come for Dwight Yorke. Clear, Giggs with a shot – Sheringham! Name on the trophy! Teddy Sheringham, with 30 seconds of added time played, has equalized for Manchester United – they are still in the European Cup!"

And the following are his sentences only 30 seconds later when Solskjaer scored the title-winning goal:" You have to feel this is their year...Is this their moment? Beckham in to Sheringham – and Solskjær has won it!

have reached the Promised Land! Ole Solskjær! The two substitutes have scored the two goals in stoppage time and the treble looms large!"  The game will be remembered forever by not only Manchester United fans, but by all football lovers all around the globe as one of the greatest footballing comebacks of all time.

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