Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1999 Final)
Camp Nou. May 26, 1999. Trailing 1-0 going into stoppage time, Manchester United produced one of the most iconic endings in football history. Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær scored in the 91st and 93rd minutes, sealing a 2-1 victory over Bayern Munich and completing a historic treble for Sir Alex Ferguson’s side.
Deportivo La Coruña 4-0 AC Milan (2004 Quarter-Finals)
After losing 4-1 in the first leg at the San Siro, few gave Deportivo a chance. But back at the Riazor, they pulled off a miracle. Goals from Pandiani, Valerón, Luque, and Fran turned the tie on its head, giving them a 5-4 aggregate win and dumping out the defending champions.
AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool (Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties, 2005 Final)
The “Miracle of Istanbul.” Liverpool trailed 3-0 at half-time to a dominant Milan side. Six chaotic minutes in the second half brought them level through Gerrard, Smicer, and Alonso. Jerzy Dudek’s penalty shootout heroics sealed a night that became the stuff of legend.
Chelsea 4-1 Napoli (5-4 agg, 2012 Round of 16)
Chelsea looked doomed after a 3-1 first-leg defeat in Naples. But at Stamford Bridge, they roared back. Drogba, Terry, and Lampard pushed the game into extra time, where Ivanovic struck the decisive goal to complete a dramatic 5-4 aggregate comeback — sparking their run to eventual glory in Munich.
Barcelona 6-1 PSG (6-5 agg, 2017 Round of 16)
No team had ever overturned a 4-0 first-leg deficit — until this night. Neymar’s brilliance (2 goals, 2 assists) lit up the Camp Nou, with Sergi Roberto’s last-gasp winner in the 95th minute sending Barcelona through in perhaps the most jaw-dropping turnaround the competition has ever seen.
AS Roma 3-0 Barcelona (4-4 agg, Roma win on away goals, 2018 Quarter-Finals)
Barcelona were heavy favourites after a 4-1 win at Camp Nou, but Roma had other plans. Goals from Džeko, De Rossi, and Manolas turned the tie on its head at the Stadio Olimpico. Roma’s 3-0 win meant they advanced on away goals — a true giant-killing act.
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (4-3 agg., 2019 Semi-Finals)
After losing 3-0 in the first leg, Liverpool, without Salah or Firmino, pulled off the unthinkable at Anfield. Wijnaldum and Origi both bagged braces in a performance full of intensity and belief. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s cheeky corner for the fourth goal became instantly iconic.
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (3-3 agg., Spurs win on away goals, 2019 Semi-Finals)
Ajax led 3-0 on aggregate at half-time in the second leg. Tottenham, inspired by Lucas Moura, produced a second-half hat-trick — including a winner in the 96th minute — to complete a stunning comeback and send them into their first ever Champions League final.
Why We Love the Comeback
What makes the Champions League magical is its unpredictability. These comebacks weren’t just football matches — they were emotional rollercoasters, moments that shaped careers, clubs, and the hearts of millions.
Whether it’s stoppage-time drama or a second-leg surge, the UCL has a history of reminding us that it’s never over until it’s over.