The beautiful game of football is thrilling, unpredictable, and full of drama. While leading teams often dominate matches, the tide can turn in an instant, leading to some of the most spectacular comebacks in sporting history.
Get ready to relive some unforgettable football matches as we countdown the top 10 greatest comebacks of all time. From the UEFA Champions League to the FIFA World Cup, these come-from-behind victories show why football fans love this game.
10. Belgium vs Japan – 2018 FIFA World Cup
In the 2018 FIFA World Cup held in Russia, Belgium faced off against Japan in the round of 16. Though Belgium was favored to win as one of the tournament’s top teams, Japan shocked them by scoring two quick goals in the first half.
Down 0-2 at halftime, Belgium regrouped and substituted in Marouane Fellaini and Nacer Chadli. These strategic changes allowed Belgium to turn the tables in the second half. In the 69th minute, Vertonghen scored Belgium’s first goal. Then in the 74th minute, Fellaini used his height to head in the equalizer off a cross.
With the score tied 2-2, it looked like the game was headed to extra time. But in the 94th minute, Belgium delivered the final blow. A beautiful counterattack led to Chadli tapping in the winner, completing Belgium’s incredible comeback.
9. Tottenham vs Ajax – 2019 UEFA Champions League
In the 2019 Champions League semifinals, Tottenham faced off against young Dutch club Ajax. As massive underdogs, Tottenham lost the first leg match 0-1 in London. Heading to Amsterdam down a goal, their chances looked grim.
The second leg started terribly for Tottenham. Ajax extended their aggregate lead with two more goals, leading 3-0 on aggregate. Just when it seemed that Tottenham’s Champions League run was over, Lucas Moura scored two quick goals in the 55th and 59th minutes to keep hope alive.
In the 96th minute, Moura completed his hat trick to put Tottenham ahead on away goals. This last second winner completed a miracle turnaround, allowing Tottenham to advance to the Champions League final for the first time in their history.
8. Deportivo la Coruña vs Milan – 2004 UEFA Champions League
In the 2003-2004 Champions League quarterfinals, Deportivo faced Italian powerhouse Milan. After losing the first leg 4-1 in Milan, Deportivo needed a massive comeback at home to advance.
Against the odds, Deportivo started strong at home, leading 3-0 at halftime. An early goal in the 2nd half made it 4-0, leveling the aggregate score. But Milan scored in the 70th minute to lead on away goals once again.
With the clock ticking down, Deportivo kept pressing for the decisive 5th goal. In the 93rd minute, Fran Gonzalez volleyed in a cross to give Deportivo a 5-4 victory on aggregate. This unbelievable comeback remains one of the greatest in Champions League history.
7. West Germany vs France – 1982 FIFA World Cup
One of the most famous World Cup comebacks came in the 1982 semifinals between West Germany and France. In Seville, Spain, the French team raced to a 3-1 lead over the Germans.
With the clock winding down in the second half, the Germans looked defeated. Yet in the 82nd minute, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge pulled a goal back to make it 3-2. Then two minutes later, Klaus Fischer evened the scored with an impressive bicycle kick.
Forced into extra time, Germany kept up the pressure. In the 92nd minute, Horst Hrubesch scored on a header to complete Germany’s stunning comeback, advancing them to the World Cup final. This match is now remembered as the “miracle of Seville.”
6. Real Madrid vs Borussia Monchengladbach – 1985 UEFA Cup
This classic UEFA Cup quarterfinal clash featured Real Madrid trailing Borussia Monchengladbach 4-2 after the first leg in Germany. Back at home for the second leg, Real Madrid needed a strong performance.
They started off well, leading 3-0 within the first 18 minutes. But Monchengladbach scored an away goal before halftime to lead 5-3 on aggregate. Real Madrid continued to press though, eventually taking a 6-5 aggregate lead in the 83rd minute.
Refusing to give up, Monchengladbach equalized in the 87th minute. With the score tied 6-6 after both legs, extra time was required. In extra time, Real Madrid’s Santillana scored in the 113th minute to cap off this extraordinary 7-6 comeback victory.
5. Roma vs Barcelona – 2018 UEFA Champions League
Headed into their quarterfinal second leg at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome, Barcelona held a commanding 4-1 advantage over Roma. Having Lionel Messi and a three-goal lead, Barcelona looked destined for the semifinals.
But Roma came racing out with relentless energy. An early goal from Edin Dzeko and penalty from Daniele De Rossi had Roma only one goal away from leveling the tie. In the 82nd minute, Manolas headed in the decisive goal to give Roma the 4-0 win and 5-4 victory on away goals.
This massive Champions League shocker marked only the third time in tournament’s history that a team came back from a three-goal first leg defeat.
4. Monaco vs Real Madrid – 2003-04 UEFA Champions League
During the 2003-04 Champions League quarterfinals, Real Madrid obliterated Monaco 4-2 in the first leg at home. With two away goals scored, Real Madrid only needed a draw in Monaco to advance.
But Monaco came out fiercely in the second leg. Goals from Giuly and Morientes gave Monaco a 2-0 halftime lead, leveling the aggregate at 4-4. After the break, Real Madrid collapsed as Monaco banged in two more goals to go ahead 6-4 on aggregate.
This dominant comeback performance allowed Monaco to eliminate the previous year’s Champions League champions in sensational fashion.
3. Barcelona vs PSG – 2016-17 UEFA Champions League
No one expected Barcelona to overturn a 4-0 first leg defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the 2016-17 Round of 16. Adding to Barca’s challenge, Neymar and PSG were motivated to eliminate his former club.
The comeback started early with Suarez scoring in the 3rd minute. Two more goals from Messi and Neymar penalty made it 3-0 before halftime. Down a goal with minutes left, Neymar assisted Sergi Roberto’s goal in the 95th minute to give Barcelona the miraculous 6-5 aggregate victory.
After this achievement, the Barcelona players honored the fans with their “remontada” (comeback) celebration. This win sparked a viral hashtag #LaRemontada.
2. Liverpool vs Barcelona – 2018-19 UEFA Champions League
Liverpool faced a massive challenge in the second leg of the 2018-19 Champions League semifinals, having lost 3-0 away at Barcelona. To advance, they needed to win by four goals.
Liverpool delivered early through Divock Origi, but the seasoned Barcelona team controlled most of the possession. With the score 1-0 at halftime, Liverpool’s chances looked grim. However, substitutes Georginio Wijnaldum and Origi both scored twice in a wild second half to put Liverpool ahead 4-3 on aggregate.
Despite the absence of injured stars Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool completed this unbelievable upset with their smothering team play.
1. Liverpool vs Milan – 2004-05 UEFA Champions League Final
Our number one greatest football comeback of all time took place in the 2005 Champions League final between Liverpool and Milan. After going down 0-3 to Milan in the first half, Liverpool’s chances at the trophy looked hopeless.
But early in the second half, Liverpool captain Gerrard headed in a goal to ignite the comeback. Ten minutes later, Smicer scored another long-range rocket to cut the deficit to one goal. Xabi Alonso’s penalty kick in the 60th minute leveled the score 3-3.
With the match now headed to penalties, Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek made a vital save to deny Andriy Shevchenko’s final shot, securing the trophy for Liverpool. This unbelievable Istanbul comeback cemented this match as an all-time classic Champions League final.
The Magic of Football
From UEFA Champions League thrillers to FIFA World Cup drama, these incredible come-from-behind victories demonstrate why football captures our imaginations. With passion and teamwork, underdogs can still achieve the impossible.
The unpredictability and exciting turns of football provide life’s memorable moments. These matches remind us that the game is never over until the final whistle.
Do you have an unforgettable football comeback to share? Which one stands out in your memory? Let us know your favorite story in the comments!
