The 25 Greatest Champions League Matches of All Time – Ranked 25-1

From jaw-dropping comebacks to era-defining finals, the UEFA Champions League has produced some of the most unforgettable matches in football history. Here’s our definitive countdown of the top 25 games that had us shouting, swearing, and staring in disbelief – starting at No. 25.

25. Manchester City 4-3 Real Madrid & Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (2021/22 Semi-final)

A two-legged masterclass in chaos. City looked in control, but late goals from Rodrygo and a Benzema penalty flipped the tie on its head and sent Real through in one of the wildest semi-finals ever.

24. Hamburg 4-4 Juventus (2000/01 Group Stage)

From an early goal to a goalkeeper penalty and a frantic finish, this had everything. Hamburg’s Hans-Jörg Butt scored from the spot, but Inzaghi’s late penalty sealed the Champions League’s first ever 4-4 draw.

23. Barcelona 0-4 Dynamo Kyiv (1997/98 Group Stage)

A 21-year-old Andriy Shevchenko scored a stunning hat-trick at the Camp Nou. Against a side packed with stars, Kyiv's dominance shocked Europe—and kickstarted Sheva’s legendary career.

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22. Inter Milan 1-5 Arsenal (2003/04 Group Stage)

Bottom of their group and seemingly out, Arsenal ran riot in Milan with Thierry Henry leading a second-half blitz. That famous win turned their European campaign around completely.

21. Monaco 8-3 Deportivo La Coruna (2003/04 Group Stage)

A defensive disaster and an attacking dream, this remains one of the highest-scoring matches in Champions League history. Dado Pršo’s four-goal haul lit up a crazy night in Monaco.

20. Benfica 4-5 Barcelona (2024/25 Group Stage)

Benfica were cruising with a first-half hat-trick from Pavlidis, but Barcelona mounted a storming comeback. Raphinha's 96th-minute winner capped off a frantic night in Lisbon.

19. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (2019 Semi-final)

Three goals down and missing Salah and Firmino, Liverpool pulled off a historic turnaround. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner to Origi was the defining moment of an Anfield miracle.

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18. Inter Milan 4-3 Barcelona (2024/25 Semi-final)

Barcelona thought they'd sealed it with a late Raphinha strike, but Inter had other ideas. Acerbi’s thunderbolt and Frattesi’s extra-time winner booked Inter a place in the final in sensational style.

17. Manchester City 4-3 Tottenham (2018/19 Quarter-final)

A seven-goal thriller with an ending fit for cinema. Sterling’s last-gasp goal looked like the winner—until VAR ruled it out, sending Spurs to the semi-finals on away goals.

16. Barcelona 1-0 Inter Milan (2009/10 Semi-final)

Jose Mourinho’s Inter parked the biggest bus in Champions League history. Down to 10 men, they held off peak Barcelona in a legendary defensive performance to reach the final.

15. Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (2008/09 Quarter-final)

A back-and-forth thriller where both teams led, then trailed, then rallied again. Lampard’s brace and a flurry of late goals made this an instant classic.

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14. Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona (2004/05 Round of 16)

Mourinho vs. Rijkaard got spicy, but on the pitch, Chelsea exploded into a 3-0 lead. Ronaldinho’s toe-poke was pure magic, but John Terry’s header sealed a turbulent tie.

13. Liverpool 3-1 Olympiakos (2004/05 Group Stage)

Liverpool needed three goals to survive—and they got them. Gerrard’s rocket sent Anfield into bedlam and set the stage for their miracle in Istanbul.

12. Barcelona 3-1 Manchester United (2010/11 Final)

United were good, but Guardiola’s Barcelona were from another planet. Messi, Villa and Pedro tore them apart in one of the most dominant final displays ever seen.

11. Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich (2023/24 Semi-final)

Joselu became an unlikely hero, scoring twice in the final minutes to turn the tie on its head. Real Madrid magic struck again when Bayern thought they were safe.

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10. Werder Bremen 5-3 Anderlecht (1993/94 Group Stage)

3-0 down with 24 minutes to go, Werder pulled off a jaw-dropping turnaround. Wynton Rufer led the charge in what became known as the Miracle of the Weser.

9. Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Málaga (2012/13 Quarter-final)

Málaga were seconds away from history, only for Dortmund to score twice in stoppage time. Santana’s controversial winner sent the Yellow Wall into chaos—and Málaga into meltdown.

8. Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (2019 Semi-final)

Lucas Moura’s hat-trick—completed with virtually the last kick of the match—was pure storybook stuff. Spurs turned a 3-0 deficit into an historic final appearance.

7. Juventus 2-3 Manchester United (1998/99 Semi-final)

Roy Keane’s most iconic performance drove United from 2-0 down to the final. Though he missed the final due to suspension, his warrior-like display defined United’s treble run.

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6. Monaco 3-1 Real Madrid (2003/04 Quarter-final)

Fernando Morientes haunted his parent club with a goal and an assist. Monaco's comeback sealed their place in the semis and Real Madrid’s shock exit.

5. Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 Milan (2003/04 Quarter-final)

Written off after a 4-1 first-leg defeat, Depor stormed back with a legendary display. Fran’s winner completed the unthinkable and stunned the reigning champions.

4. Milan 4-0 Barcelona (1993/94 Final)

Cruyff’s Dream Team were dismantled by Capello’s Milan in stunning fashion. Savicevic’s lob and Massaro’s brace helped deliver one of the most complete final performances ever.

3. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1998/99 Final)

Two goals in stoppage time flipped the final and won United the treble. Solskjær’s winner sent Clive Tyldesley into history books—and Bayern into heartbreak.

2. Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain (2016/17 Round of 16)

A result so improbable, it still doesn’t feel real. With three goals in the last seven minutes, Barça pulled off the greatest single-match comeback in Champions League history.

1. Milan 3-3 Liverpool (2004/05 Final – The Miracle of Istanbul)

Three goals down at half-time to one of the greatest Milan sides ever, Liverpool roared back. Six mad minutes, a Dudek masterclass, and a shootout sealed the most dramatic final ever—and arguably the Champions League’s greatest game.