If the 2013-14 Champions League final between Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid is anything to go by, the rematch between the two teams this Saturday should be a spectacular affair. It's not just the meetings between these two Spanish rivals that have set pulses racing, the European Cup competition that was founded in 1955 has served up its fair share of spectacular finals.
With the eyes of the world watching, the drama that unfolds during the Champions League final reaches an unrivaled crescendo that makes for can't-miss viewing. 380 million spectators will tune in from around the planet with the hopes of witnessing something spectacular. With the spectacular in mind, here are the 10 greatest moments from previous Champions League finals.
The Top 10 Champions League Final Moments
#10: A Young Jose Mourinho Accomplishes The Impossible
(Porto 3 - Monaco 0 | 2003-04)
Jose Mourinho celebrates his first Champions League title. Photo: @OluSamuelBGG | Twitter
FC Porto entered the 2003-04 Champions League group stage as rank outsiders. Jose Mourinho had established himself as one of the most promising young managers in Europe after leading Porto to titles in the Primeira Liga, Portuguese Cup and UEFA Cup the previous season, but no one could’ve foreseen the impact Porto would have in the Champions League the following season.
After qualifying for the knockout stages by finishing in second place, behind Real Madrid, in group play, their shocking run to the final included victories over a heavily favored Manchester United, Lyon and Deportivo La Coruna.
Coming up against another underdog in the final, Monaco, Mourinho’s Porto finished the fairy tale with a comprehensive 3-0 victory. Two days later, Mourinho was on his way to Chelsea
#9: Lionel Messi’s Towering Header
(Barcelona 2 - Manchester United 0 | 2008-09)
Who says Lionel Messi can't score goals with his head? Photo: @FletchAndSav | Twitter
Barcelona and Pep Guardiola announced a new era of footballing dominance with their 2-0 victory over Manchester United in the 2008-09 Champions League final. Samuel Eto’o scored a fine opening goal for Barca, but the 5’7’’ Lionel Messi secured the game with a majestic header that both Rio Ferdinand and Edwin van der Sar could do nothing about. Lionel Messi: remember the name.
(Messi’s header is at 2:32)
#8: John Terry’s Infamous Slip
(Chelsea 1 - Manchester United 1 | 2007-08)
Sorry, John. We all enjoyed this. Photo: @Goal_India | Twitter
The 2007-08 Champions League final was an all English affair pitting Manchester United against Chelsea. The sides couldn’t be separated after 120 minutes of play — Cristiano Ronaldo giving United an early advantage before Frank Lampard equalized for the Blues.
The game would be decided on penalties. With the penalty scores level at 2-2, Cristiano Ronaldo missed, allowing Chelsea to gain control. It came down to Chelsea’s captain John Terry, who only needed to convert his spot kick to give Chelsea their first ever Champions League title.
Terry lost his footing in the act of shooting, his standing foot slipping and causing a mis-hit shot that struck the post and went wide. Manchester United continued to convert their penalties, and Nicolas Anelka, who looked visibly shaken approaching the spot, had his decisive penalty saved by Van der Sar.
(Penalties at 1:30)
#7: Lionel Messi Strikes From 25 Yards
(Barcelona 3 - Manchester United 1 | 2010-11)
Lionel Messi puts Manchester United to the sword. Again. Photo: @_ViscaBarca2016
Barcelona and Manchester United met for the second Champions League final in three years at Wembley Stadium in London. Barcelona once again captured the title with Lionel Messi again on the scoresheet.
Pedro’s opener was canceled out by a fine Wayne Rooney goal, but Messi put Barcelona ahead for good in the 54th minute. With the Manchester United defense defending heavily in their own area, Barcelona required a moment of magic to take the lead. Messi duly delivered with a pile driver of a shot from 25 yards out.
(Messi’s strike at 1:46)
#6: Sergio Ramos Breaks The Resistance
(Real Madrid 4 - Atletico Madrid 1 | 2013-14)
Sergio Ramos breaks Atletico's hearts. Photo: @realmadriden | Twitter
The final scoreline of this match will do an injustice to Atletico Madrid as time passes. However, until the third minute of second half stoppage time, they thought they’d won it all only to have it snatched away at the death.
Sergio Ramos’s pinpoint header from a Luka Modric cross utterly decimated Atletico, breaking their hearts right on the cusp of glory. The game went into extra time and, with Atletico clearly exhausted, Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo added an additional three goals for Los Blancos.
#5: Arjen Robben Wins It At The Death
(Bayern Munich 2 - Borussia Dortmund 1 | 2012-13)
Arjen Robben finally gets his winner's medal. Photo: @JombloFootballs | Twitter
Bayern’s treble winning season of 2012-13 was highlighted by their victory over German rivals Borussia Dortmund. Bayern Munich had awed spectators by defeating Juventus 4-0 on aggregate in the quarterfinals and Barcelona 7-0 in the semifinals, but in Dortmund they found a team that was designed to make them suffer.
Dortmund dominated from the outset, but Bayern took the lead through Mario Mandzukic. Ilkay Gundogan equalized from the spot for Dortmund, setting up this dramatic Arjen Robben winner with only a minute left in normal time.
#4: The Heroics Of Didier Drogba
(Chelsea 1 - Bayern Munich 1 | 2011-12)
Didier Drogba won the Champions League single-handedly. Photo: @ChampionsLeague | Twitter
Chelsea’s improbable run to the 2011-12 Champions League final included a spectacular comeback against Napoli in the Round of 16 and an astonishing victory over Barcelona in the semifinals.
Without Branislav Ivanovic, Raul Meireles, Ramires and their captain John Terry, Bayern Munich were heavy favorites in the final. The match was even being played at Bayern’s home stadium, the Allianz Arena. However, destiny had other plans.
Mario Gomez and Arjen Robben both spurned glorious opportunities, but Thomas Muller gave Bayern a deserved lead in the 83rd minute. Bayern appeared to have wrapped the game up, but Didier Drogba met a Juan Mata corner and powered his header into the net.
The game would eventually go to penalties, and Didier Drogba converted the fifth and final spot kick for Chelsea. The Champions League title he’d craved for so long was finally his.
#3: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer Completes The Unimaginable
(Manchester United 2 vs. Bayern Munich 1 | 1998-99)
"Football, bloody hell." Photo: @IndoManUtd_BKS | Twitter
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer completed one of the most remarkable turn-arounds in all of sport with his game-winning goal in the third minute of stoppage time.
Bayern Munich opened the scoring in the sixth minute and controlled the match up until the end of regular time. However, in two minutes of stoppage time madness, the game was turned on its head.
Teddy Sheringham looked to have sent the game to extra time following his goal in the 91st minute, but Manchester United weren’t done there. Solskjaer cropped up in the 93rd minute to score one of the most famous goals in the history of the competition.
#2: Zinedine Zidane’s Game-Winning Left-Footed Volley
(Real Madrid 2 - Bayer Leverkusen 1 | 2001-02)
Zinedine Zidane, a true footballing genius. Photo: @btsportfootball | Twitter
One of the all-time great goals and, perhaps, the greatest goal ever scored in a cup final, Zinedine Zidane’s 45th minute volley was absolutely spectacular. Words can simply not do this goal justice, just watch and appreciate the talents of one of the greatest players of all-time.
#1: Jerzy Dudek’s Double Save On Andriy Shevchenko
(Liverpool 3 - AC Milan 3 | 2004-05)
And another! Photo: @MeteGol11 | Twitter
Liverpool’s famous 3-goal comeback against AC Milan in the 2004-05 Champions League final would’ve been all for not had it not been for the heroics of goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek.
Goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso forced the game into extra time, but Andriy Shevchenko looked sure to win the match for Milan before the onset of penalties.
Dudek’s initial save on Shevchenko was breathtaking, but the Ukrainian striker had the chance to bury the rebound from a few yards out. Once again, Dudek repelled his attempt by pushing the shot over the bar. The game would go to penalties where Dudek was again the hero.
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