Weeknights have never been more exciting thanks to the Champions League. Year after year, the competition keeps delivering entertaining games. From unexpected comebacks to shocking defeats and individual brilliance, fans have plenty to reflect on and banter about.
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
The group and knockout stages have been some of the most exciting phases of the event. On some occasions, the final lacked the quality viewers anticipated. So, which are the best Champions League games?
Our picks are based on drama, legacy and the quality of the game.
People Also Read: 10 African NWSL Players You Should Watch This Season
Bayern Munich vs Barcelona (2020)
This was one of the biggest humiliating defeats Barcelona experienced in the competition. Played in front of an empty stadium, as part of football’s return after the COVID-19 pandemic, the game started on a high. Both teams found the back of the net, but Bayern raced in front and finished the first half with a 4-1 lead.
Luis Suarez doubled Barca’s goals but Bayern was relentless, adding four goals in the second half through Robert Lewandowski, Phillipe Coutinho and Joshua Kimmich, to hand Barca’s worst nights. They went through on an 8-2 aggregate lead. Munich won the tournament and Barca’s manager Quique Setien lost his job days later.
People Also Read: How Do NBA Playoffs Work? Everything You Need to Know
Liverpool vs Barcelona (2019)
Liverpool has been involved in various Champions League blockbusters. On their way to winning their first Champions League in 14 years, they overturned Barcelona’s first-leg 3-0 lead at Anfield to produce one of the most classic games in history.
On the night, Mohammed Salah and Robert Firmino were absent but the most unlikely heroes got Jurgen Klopp’s team over the line. Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum scored two goals each to win the game 4-0 and dump Barca out of the competition.
Liverpool played Tottenham in the final and won the title.
People Also Read: The 4 Golf Majors Every True Fan Should Care About
Having good football boots is essential for playing well. Buy a pair on Amazon.
Barcelona vs Roma (2018)
Complimented with beautifully woven words by Peter Drury from the commentary box, Barcelona suffered another meltdown, this time at the hands of Roma. Ernesto Valverde’s side headed into the quarter-final second leg after a commanding 4-1 win at Camp Nou. Not even the most passionate Roma fans would foresee what was about to happen.
Inside the Stadio Olimpico, Roma did the unimaginable. They started the game well, getting the lead in the 6th minute through Edin Dzeko. Rallied by fans, they kept searching for more goals, as they needed three to move to the next round.
In the second half, Danielle De Rossi and Kostas Manola hit the net to “deliver Roma from the Ruins” as Drury put it. This is why it’s one of the best Champions League games in the history of the competition.
Join our Spotcovery Global Black Community Facebook Group for early access to exclusive content and to share in a lively discussion.
Barcelona vs Paris Saint-Germain (2017)
Barcelona vs PSG adds to our list of the best Champions League games of all time. The Spanish club might have been at the end of crushing defeats, but they’ve also delivered one of the most unlikely comebacks.
In the round of 16 first-leg tie against PSG, the Spanish giants lost 4-0 away and many thought they’d complete the job away.
Against the odds, Barca scored three goals and kept their hopes alive. Edinson Cavani made things complicated after scoring an away goal. However, Barca wasn’t done. Neymar and Sergi Roberto added three more goals in the dying minutes of the game to complete the comeback.
People Also Read: 10 Best Soccer Leagues in the World to Watch
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Get a football jersey on Amazon.
Real Madrid vs Atletico Madrid (2014)
When you have a derby for a Champions League final, you know something special will happen. Diego Simeone’s Atletico Madrid is known for its defensive prowess, which they demonstrated in this game. They got a 1-0 lead through Diego Godin and for most of the game, made it difficult for their city rivals Real.
Just when we thought Atletico was about to win its first Champions League, Sergio Ramos leveled the game with a header and forced it to extra time. Los Blancos had the momentum and added to their lead in extra time through Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Marcelo.
The club won the La Decima and brought its 12-year Champions League trophy doubt to an end.
People Also Read: Bill Russell Rings You Probably Don’t Remember
Get football accessories on Amazon.
Chelsea vs Barcelona (2012)
The Blues were up against one of the most talented Barcelona teams in the game’s history. Pep Guardiola and his men were defending champions and were trailing 1-0 after Chelsea’s shocking victory at the Stamford Bridge.
Despite that, many expected Barcelona to overturn things on home soil. A first-half red card to John Terry and two quick goals made things worse for the visitors. But all wasn’t lost. Ramires gave the Blues an away goal and shockingly, Lionel Messi’s penalty hit the crossbar.
Roberto Di Mateo’s team kept Barca at bay as Fernando Torres’ goal booked them a place in the final.
Borussia Dortmund vs Bayern Munich (2013)
Dortmund aren’t regular UEFA Champions League finalists but when they make it, the matches tend to be memorable. They contested for the biggest trophy in Europe against their rivals Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium.
Mario Mandzukic gave Bayern the lead before Ilkay Gündogan equalized. Former Dutch player Arjen Robben scored the winner to win the title that got away from them a year before.
Dortmund’s run to the final put on show a style of football that’s now referred to as Gegenpressing.
Liverpool vs AC Milan (2005)
This is one of the best Champions League Games in the competition’s history. Christened the “Miracle of Istanbul,” it was a comeback story that no one would have predicted. AC Milan was 3-0 up at halftime and Rafa Benitez’s side didn’t look like a team that had more in them.
However, The Reds dug deep and pulled a comeback of the ages. Led by former footballer Steven Gerrard, the English club forced the game into penalties after a 3-3 draw in regular and extra time.
The goalie Jerzy Dudek saved Milan’s last penalty to seal Liverpool’s fifth Champions League title.
Manchester United vs Bayern Munich (1999)
When people say football is a game of two halves, it truly is and this final between Manchester United and Bayern Munich was a perfect example. Manchester United was on the brink of history.
They secured the Premier League and the FA Cup and clinching the Champions League would see them win the treble. The game began on a bad note for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team as Munich took the lead through Mario Basler.
They maintained their 1-0 lead until the dying minutes of the game, which famously came to be known as ‘Fergie Time’. Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in quick succession in extra time to seal the Champions League and a historic treble.
The best Champions League games evoke joyous and painful memories for winners and losers. They remind us of the power of the game, to bring people together and for 90 minutes, ride the wave of emotion supporting our teams. There will be more matches that get to such levels of quality and excitement and we are here for that. Which of these Champions League games do you still watch?
Become an insider. Subscribe to our newsletter for more top trending stories like this!
Nearly 80% of consumers visit directories with reviews to find a local business. List your business for free in our exclusive Spotcovery Black-Owned Business Directory.
Spotcovery offers unique and fresh daily content on Black culture, lifestyle, and experiences. We talk about everything black, black people, black-owned and black-owned businesses. We also deliver authentic and relevant content that will inform, inspire, and empower you! The future of black media is critical to today’s black experience! Our primary audience includes African Americans, Africans, Afro-Caribbean, and people of African heritage. Black culture is for the culture!
