The Champions League is one of the most-watched sporting tournaments worldwide and millions of soccer fans tune in on a regular basis to watch the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and Manchester City battle it out for the sport’s most prestigious silverware.
There have been a number of memorable games over the last ten years and here we take a look at some of the standout encounters.
Source: City Chief via Twitter
Barcelona 6-1 PSG – March 8th, 2017
This is often the first game that springs to mind when you think of memorable Champions League match-ups. Barcelona somehow became the first team to overturn a 4-0 first leg deficit, squeezing through to the quarter-final stage of the competition in the process.
With 88 minutes on the clock, they were still trailing 5-3 on aggregate but a late show from Neymar and Sergi Roberto ensured the Catalans progressed at the expense of the Parisians.
The Nou Camp exploded into life as the Barcelona players jubilantly celebrated their comeback success and it remains one the most memorable Champions League games in living memory.
Manchester City 5-3 Monaco – February 21st, 2017
2017 produced many memorable Champions League moments and, when Manchester City were drawn against Monaco, it was always likely to be a fiery and competitive two-legged affair. This thrilling round-of-16 encounter saw the French outfit go ahead twice before falling behind in the final 13 minutes.
The game contained eight goals and there was even time for a missed penalty with Willy Caballero saving Falcao’s spot-kick in the second half.
Despite their heroics in the first leg, as reflected on odds served up via situs judi online, City didn’t make it beyond this round.
Source: Portista via Twitter
Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool – 14th April, 2009
Almost ten years on, this game still lives long in the memory of Champions League viewers. The two games were littered with goalkeeping errors, penalties and mistimed tackles leaving soccer fans glued to the screen throughout.
With Liverpool leading 4-3 at the 83-minute mark, it was difficult to see the Blues fighting back but Frank Lampard rescued his side’s European campaign with a close-range finish and that proved enough to send the West London outfit into the final four.
This victory helped set up a mouthwatering semi-final tie with Barcelona.
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid – 25th May, 2014
This city rivalry was always expected to conjure up a dramatic Champions League final but Real Madrid’s late show will forever remain in their fans’ minds.
After going ahead through a Diego Godin strike, the La Liga champions looked on course for an unexpected double but Sergio Ramos had other ideas. The defender, who has significant influence at the Santiago Bernabeu forced the game into extra time with just 90 seconds left to play.
It was a suitably dramatic conclusion to the game and the competition specialists took full advantage of the momentum shift by scoring three more goals to give the scoreline a very one-sided look.
Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Malaga – 9th April, 2013
This isn’t one of the more high profile games on this list, however, this match showcased Dortmund at their very best. Jurgen Klopp’s side poured forward at every opportunity but couldn’t find a way through.
The La Liga’s side resistance was eventually broken in stoppage time with Marco Reus and Felipe Santana helping send their team through to the semi-finals of the competition.
Klopp’s effusive celebrations were almost as memorable as the game itself and it was seen as the moment that Dortmund announced themselves as genuine Champions League title contenders.
The competition continues to go from strength-to-strength and every season produces another clutch of memorable encounters that have neutrals on the edge of their seats throughout the 90 minutes.
Plenty more end-to-end, dramatic and pulsating games are expected to be added to the canon over the next ten years with the tournament likely to serve up another decade of top-class entertainment for soccer fans.