Top 5 Greatest comebacks in Champions League history

• The knockout stages of this season’s UEFA Champions League has been nothing short of exhilarating
• After suffering defeats in the first leg of their quarter-final ties, we saw PSG and Borussia Dortmund overcome deficits in the second leg and progress to the semis
• Barca thrashing PSG 6-1 at Camp Nou back in 2017 is arguably the greatest comeback in Champions League history

Which are the greatest comebacks in champions league? The knockout stages of this season’s UEFA Champions League has been nothing short of exhilarating.

After suffering defeats in the first leg of their quarter-final ties, we saw Paris Saint-German and Borussia Dortmund overcame deficits in the second leg and progress to the semis. PSG, who had suffered a 3-2 defeat in Paris, went on to thump FC Barcelona 4-1 in Catalonia, winning 6-4 on aggregate. Dortmund, on the other hand, bounced back from a 2-1 defeat to win the second leg 4-2 (5-4 aggregate) and advance to the next round.

Borussia Dortmund and PSG will meet in the semi-finals of the Champions League. Photo/ Eurosport.

The semi-finals will be played at the start of next month and it will see PSG face Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Munich clash with Real Madrid. With more drama expected to come in the semis, we have decided to take a look at the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. These are the nights that made fans shed tears and celebrate widely at the same time.

5. Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan

It’s not everyday you’ll see a team score four goals in the first leg of a Champions League tie and then fail to progress to the next round. Unfortunately, that’a what happened to AC Milan back in 2004.

The Rossoneri had some of the best players in the football world during that time and it wasn’t a surprise when they thrashed Deportivo La Coruna 4-1. Nobody knew that things would fall apart for them in the second leg as Deportivo La Coruna produced a remarkable comeback, winning 4-0 (5-4) and advancing to the next round.

4. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona

Nobody expected Liverpool to produce one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history when they hosted Barcelona at Anfield for the second leg of their semi-final tie. Barca had won the first leg 3-0 at Camp Nou but a lively atmosphere created by Liverpool fans at Anfield boosted the confidence of their players who ended up winning the match.

The comeback was started by Divock Origi who scored inside seven minutes before Giorginio Wijnaldum scored two quick goals to level the scores. A quickly taken corner by Trent Alexander-Arnold was then converted by Origi, who sent Liverpool to the final where they faced Tottenham Hotspur. As they say, the rest is history.

Divock Origi scored the goal that completed the comeback against Barcelona. Photo/ Sky Sports.

3. Ajax 2-3 Tottenham Hotspur

One day after Liverpool produced a shocking comeback against Barcelona, Lucas Moura produced a moment of magic against Ajax, sending Mauricio Pochettino’s side into the final.

Spurs had suffered a 1-0 home loss in the first leg and found themselves trailing 2-0 at half time in the second leg. To many, there was no way back into this match for Spurs. However, two quick goals by Moura shortly after the break revived Spurs hope of winning this tie.

And to everyone’s surprise, Moura scored another goal in the 96th minute to send Tottenham to the Metropolitano Stadium in Madrid, Spain where the final was played. These are the nights Spurs fans wish for every season in the Champions League.

2. Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan

It’s quite unfortunate to AC Milan fans that their club has been on the losing end more than once when clubs pull the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. Facing Liverpool in the final of the Champions League in 2005, AC Milan raced into a 3-0 lead in the first half. However, things fell apart for them in the second half as Liverpool scored three goals in eight minutes to level the scores.

The Miracle of Istanbul. Photo/ Solvia.

Both sides failed to score another goal and the match had to be decided through a penalty shoot-out which was won by Liverpool. It was the Premier League side’s fifth European title and arguably one that will be remembered years to come.

1. Barcelona 6-1 PSG 

FC Barcelona thrashing PSG 6-1 at Camp Nou back in 2017 is arguably the greatest comeback in Champions League history. The Catalans suffered a 4-0 defeat in the first leg but made amends for the humiliation in the second leg, proceeding to the quarter-finals.

The trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar Jr and Luis Suarez all scored before Sergi Roberto gave Barca the lead on aggregate by scoring the sixth goal of the match in added time. Three goals were scored after 87 minutes of play.