Top 10 Greatest Football Comebacks In History (All Times) | 2023 Rankings

Football is a thrilling and exciting sport that requires great passion and commitment from its players. Some football matches become unexciting when both participating teams are unable to score a goal, resulting in a drawn outcome.

However, football fans have seen some of the most thrilling games in which the participating teams made the greatest comebacks to turn the tables against their opponent teams.

Greatest Football Comebacks of All Time

There have been few instants in the history of football in which the participating teams made the greatest comebacks of all time. When pushed to the corner, these teams showcased resilience and fought back all the way to victory. Here are some of the Greatest Football Combeacks of all time.

1. Manchester United v Bayern Munich 1999 – Champions League

Manchester United vs Bayern Munich 1999 Champions League final is considered as the greatest football comeback of all time. The UEFA Champions League Final took place at Camp Nou in Barcelona, Spain, on 26 May 1999 between Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Two Back to back Injury Time Goals from Teddy Sheringham of Manchester United, canceled out the earlier goal of Bayern Munich’s Mario Basler.

This provided 2-1 victory to Manchester United over Bayern Munich in the final. Match Referee Pierluigi stated this match as the most memorable match of his refereeing career and he described the noise of the Crowed as Lion’s Roar at the end of the match.

With the Earlier Goal from Mario for Bayern Munich, no one saw two goals coming from Teddy Shernisngham for Manchester United. At the top of it, those two injury-time goals led Manchester United to a 2-1 victory in the UEFA Champions League 1999 final. Therefore, it is rated as the greatest Football Comeback of all time.

2. Barcelona v Paris St Germain 2017 – Champions League

FC Barcelona vs Paris ST Germain 2017 Champion League Second Leg match is rated as one of the greatest football comebacks of all time by many critics. It is also known as La Remontada (“The Comeback”) in the history of football. FC Barcelona vs Paris St Germain Champions League 2017 second leg match took place on 8 March 2017 at the Camp Nou in Barcelona.

Barcelona overcame a four-goal deficit in the second leg of the 16th tie against Paris Saint-Germain. And, they went on to win 6–5 on aggregate. This is also considered the largest comeback in the history of the UEFA Champions League.

With a 4-0 Leg Victory in the past, Barcelona needed to finish the match with a great aggregate. However, their hopes started to fade away when Layvin Kurzawa, Lionel Messi, and Edinson Cavani scored three consecutive goals. Now, Barcelona needed three goals to win following the away rule.

However, Neymar scored two back-to-back goals in the last stages to bring Barcelona close to the victory. Whereas, Sergi Roberto scored the sixth and final goal of the match to take Barcelona to a 6-1 victory. And, Barcelona advanced to the quarterfinals with 6-5 on aggregate.

The outcome of the match was described as a Miracle by the Media. Nevertheless, FC Barcelona vs Paris ST Germain 2017 Champion League now is one of the greatest football comebacks of all time.

3. Roma v Barcelona – 2018 Champions League

Barcelona may have made one of the Greatest Football Comebacks of all time, but they also were at the receiving end the other time. They defeated Roma in the first leg of the 2018 Champions League with two winning goals from  Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas. However, Edin Dzeko conceded a late-away goal for the visiting side.

Away Goals were worth two goals in that season, so Roma needed a 3-0 win in the second leg.

It seemed impossible against a team consisting of Star footballers like Messi and Suarez. However, an early goal from Dzeko made it easy for the Roma from the beginning. De Rossi scored the second goal for Roma from the spot and eight-minute later Manolas made another goal which took Roma into the semifinals.

This now counts as one of the best comebacks in the history of football.

4. Liverpool v Barcelona – 2019 Champions League

Liverpool made a historic comeback in Champions League 2019. Barcelona had also made it to the semi-finals with an easy Home Leg win. Star footballer Lionel Messi secured a late brace After Luiz made his first goal for Barcelona.

Therefore, it became very difficult for Liverpool to win the game. Divick Origi opened the account for Liverpool at Anfield, after that Georginio Wijnaldum braced a hit to level on aggregate.

Before ten minutes to play, Trent Alexander-Arnold hit a quick corner to the Origi, and he quickly scored a goal against Barcelona. Origi also became a hero as he scored the second goal for Liverpool in the final. This now holds as one of the best comebacks in the history of football.

5. Juventus vs Manchester United – Champions League1999

Juventus made a historical comeback against Manchester United in Champions League 1999. The Serie A club had opened up a 3-1 on aggregate against the Red Devils and they felt on the ropes.

However, their captain Roy Keane decided to take them on. His Goal leveled up the game for United and Later two goals from Dwight Yorke and Andrew Cole brought a 3-1 victory for the United.

Juventus vs Manchester now counts as one of the greatest football comebacks of all time on our list.

6. Liverpool vs AC Milan – Champions League 2005

Liverpool fans had great expectations from their favorite club when they traveled for Istanbul to enjoy Liverpool vs AC Milan Champions League 2005 Final. After the first half, Liverpool trailed 3 goals against AC Milan who were monumental at the time. However, Liverpool again proved that football is a game of two halves in the true sense.

Three back-to-back goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso took the game to the extra time. However, Liverpool came victorious in the penalty shootout. This now holds as one of the best football comebacks of all time.

7. Barcelona vs Metz – Cup Winners’ Cup – 1984

Barcelona Challenged Metz in the Cup winners’ Cup 1984 Final. They had a good time with the ball taking a 5-2 on aggregate with a remaining time of 57 minutes. The French Minnows needed to finish off the game with four goals without conceding a single goal. They stunned the Spanish Football Club by doing the same.

However, they were knocked out of the tournament, in the very next round at the hands of Dynamo Dresden. Still, Barcelona vs Metz Cup Winners Cup 1984 is one of the greatest football comebacks of all time.

Conclusion

So here is our list. Which match should be included in our list? Let us know in the comment box.