International Leagues

What is the biggest Champions League victory in a final?

By Hector Garcia

The most memorable European Cup Finals in history.

The most memorable European Cup Finals in history.

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For nearly seventy years, the European Cup finals have had all the storytelling elements that good stories have. Drama, epic, suspense, beauty. As if it were a film genre in itself, which brings together all the others. The last match of the most important European competition is one of the most eagerly awaited in the world.

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So, on the eve of Liverpool and Real Madrid's clash in Paris on May 28, it's worth looking back at the five most memorable finals of recent years.

LIVERPOOL 3-3 MILAN (2005)

The miracle of Istanbul is one of the most impressive matches in the history of soccer. It's as simple as that. It had everything. In the first half, Milan was a soccer machine. They played an extraordinary game and went to the break with a 3-0 lead that not only seemed to be lapidary but also gave the impression that they were going to grow even more in the second half. 

However, Liverpool, thanks to Steven Gerrard's determination, scored three goals between 9 and 15 minutes and forced the extra time. Then, in the penalty shootout, the English completed the task and won the title.

MANCHESTER UNITED 2-1 BAYERN MUNICH (1999)

If we talk about epic and drama, this is the final that is first remembered. It was at the Camp Nou. Bayern took the lead very quickly, after 6 minutes through Mario Basler. Then, they managed the match with criteria and reached the 45th minute up on the scoreboard. 

In Munich, celebrations were already underway when Teddy Sheringham scored the equalizer in the 46th minute. And when the extra time seemed to be a total success for Sir Alex Ferguson's team, Ole Gunnar Solksjaer scored the most screamed goal in United's history and gave them their second continental title 31 years after their first.

REAL MADRID 4-1 ATLÉTICO DE MADRID (2014)

An unforgettable triumph for Liverpool has already been remembered and now it's Real Madrid's turn. For more than a decade the Spanish team had sought the tenth European Cup and had failed time and again in ignominious fashion.

In 2014 and with Carlo Ancelotti on the substitutes' bench, they reached the final against neighboring Atlético Madrid in Lisbon. But Diego Godín opened the scoring in the first half and it seemed that they would be denied once again. This time it was the Colchonero's turn to celebrate, so often delayed. However, Sergio Ramos equalized in stoppage time and forced an extra time period in which Real Madrid took the lead with three more goals.

BARCELONA 3-1 MANCHESTER UNITED (2011)

Yes, it is very close in memory, but this final is the absolute and definitive consecration of one of the best teams of all time. The most luxurious season of Josep Guardiola's ultra-luxurious Barcelona culminated in an undisputed Wembley victory. It was a demonstration of soccer led by Lionel Messi, with Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta as extraordinary partners.

JUVENTUS 1-0 LIVERPOOL (1985)

This final is not remembered for the game or for a fortunate circumstance. On the contrary. It went down in history as a tragedy. Before kick-off, 39 spectators were killed by an avalanche at Heysel. As unusual as it may seem, the match was finally played and the Italians won with a goal by Michel Platini. But it didn't matter much.

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