3) June 13, 1956: Real Madrid 4-3 Reims – Parc des Princes, Paris, France
While Real Madrid won the first five European Cups, their first was pretty tough to get. Reims took a 2-0 lead after 10 minutes and after a di Stefano goal in the 14th minute and a Hector Rial goal in the 30th minute, the score was 2-2 going into the half. Reims took the lead once again but going into the latter part of the game, Real scored the two goals needed to finally take the lead and win 4-3. The first European champions were crowned and thus began a dynasty over Europe.
2) May 26, 1999: Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich – Camp Nou, Barcelona, Spain
This brought “Fergie Time” to Europe. Bayern Munich took an early lead and really controlled almost the entire game. Going into the 90th minute, they still held the 1-0 lead and Manchester United really were going for it. Then in stoppage time, they equalized. Teddy Sheringham put away the equalizer just outside the box and all of a sudden, knocked Bayern on their butts. Then before they knew what hit them, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored for United and they metaphorically ripped the trophy out of Bayern’s grasp. That was the greatest comeback in Champions League history and one of the greatest comebacks in soccer history until…
1) May 25, 2005: Liverpool 3 (3)-(2) 3 AC Milan – Ataturk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey
To many Liverpool and non Liverpool fans, the “Miracle of Istanbul” was the greatest game ever. This game was thrilling from kickoff, right down to the bitter end. The game was a tale of two halves. With goals by Paolo Maldini and Hernan Crespo (who scored twice), all looked lost for Liverpool. Then the fans started singing “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” And like spinach to Popeye, it got Liverpool going again.
Coming back from the halftime break, Liverpool scored three times in six minutes to equalize. With Steven Gerrard’s header, Vladimir Smicer’s strike from outside the box and Xabi Alonso’s rebound off his saved PK. After surviving a barrage of shots and somehow keeping it level at 3-3, the game went into PK’s. The rest, as they say, is history and Liverpool completed “Mission Impossible.”
