Iconic Champions League comebacks to offer hope to Liverpool against Barcelona
Barcelona Argentine forward Lionel Messi netted his 600th goal via a free-kick against Liverpool in their first leg Champions League semi-final clash at the Camp Nou |
A late Lionel Messi masterclass at the Nou Camp left Liverpool's hopes of a second successive Champions League final dangling by a thread - but there have been enough dramatic turnarounds in recent seasons to suggest all is not lost for the Premier League side.
After the Reds' 3-0 first-leg defeat and
Tottenham's 1-0 home loss to Ajax, The prospect of an all-English final may look slim.
But some of the biggest moments in Champions League history involve teams fighting back from the brink to defy the odds, including a remarkable collapse from Barcelona last season as they squandered - you guessed it - a three-goal first-leg lead.
Below 👇 are some of the turnarounds that suggest anything is possible and you can vote for which one you thin is the greatest comeback.
• 2017-18 QF: Barcelona stunned in thrilling Roma fightback
Aggregate 4-4: Barcelona 4-1 Roma/Roma 3-0 Barcelona - Roma win on away goals
Barcelona looked to have this quarter-final tie sewn up in the first leg at the Nou Camp after Gerard Pique and Luis Suarez added to own goals from Daniele de Rossi and Kostas Manolas.
• 2004-05 final: That night in Istanbul
AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool - Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties
One of the gutsiest comebacks in the history of the Champions League.
Milan captain Paolo Maldini grabbing a first-minute lead before Hernan Crespo scored twice to put Milan 3-0 up.
The game looked over at half-time but six mad second-half minutes saw captain and talisman Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso score to level the tie and take it to penalties. Liverpool won the shootout.
• 2011-12 last 16: Would-be champions Chelsea refuse to go out
Aggregate 5-4: Napoli 3-1 Chelsea/Chelsea 4-1 Napoli (After Extra Time)
Two goals from Napoli's Ezequiel Lavezzi either side of an Edinson Cavani header cancelled out Juan Mata's early volley in a scintillating performance at the San Paulo Stadium that put the Italians firmly on course for the quarter-finals.
Two weeks later Roberto di Matteo had replaced Andre Villas-Boas as Chelsea's caretaker manager.
It had the desired effect as Didier Drogba, John Terry and Frank Lampard all scored to take the tie to extra time at Stamford Bridge.
Branislav Ivanovic's dramatic winner sent Chelsea through.
• 2016-17 last 16: Barcelona defy belief to shatter PSG
Aggregate 6-5: Paris St-Germain 4-0 Barcelona/Barcelona 6-1 Paris St-Germain
Strikes from Angel di Maria (two), Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani left the Barcelona needing a miracle against Paris St-Germain to reach the quarter-finals.
Barcelona knew they had to go for it in the return leg and gave themselves a chance with three goals in the first 50 minutes at the Nou Camp. Cavani then struck for PSG.
Neymar scored in the 88th and 91st minute. Sergi Roberto's 95th-minute sealed the victory for Barcelona.
• 2018-19 last 16: Late VAR drama makes history in Paris
Aggregate 3-3: Man Utd 0-2 PSG/PSG 1-3 Man Utd - Man Utd win on away goals
A late penalty. VAR. A Neymar rant. This game had it all.
Manchester United were outclassed by the French side at Old Trafford. A game which ended 2 - 0 in favour of PSG.
Deep into injury time in the second leg, United led 2-1 on the night, following first-half goals from Romelu Lukaku (two) and PSG's Juan Bernat.
To the surprise of the home fans, Slovenian Referee Damir Skomina awarded Man United a VAR penalty and Marcus Rashford stepped up to drill the ball home and send his team through.
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