The UEFA Champions League has delivered some of the greatest football matches ever. Discover the best Champions League finals of the 21st century, filled with drama, comebacks, and unforgettable moments.
The Best Champions League Finals of the 21st Century
The UEFA Champions League is the pinnacle of club football, and its final is one of the most-watched sporting events worldwide. Over the years, the competition has produced thrilling encounters, last-minute goals, and moments that live forever in football history.
Since the start of the 21st century, we have witnessed some of the greatest Champions League finals ever played, featuring legendary players, tactical masterclasses, and unforgettable comebacks. In this article, we revisit the best Champions League finals of the modern era and relive the drama that unfolded on the grandest stage of club football.
1. Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (2005) – The Miracle of Istanbul
📅 Date: May 25, 2005
🏟 Venue: Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul
🏆 Winner: Liverpool (3-2 on penalties)
One of the most iconic Champions League finals of all time, the 2005 final saw Liverpool produce an unbelievable comeback against AC Milan.
Milan, boasting a star-studded lineup including Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, and Kaká, raced to a 3-0 lead at halftime, with Maldini scoring in the first minute and Hernán Crespo adding two more before the break.
However, in the second half, Liverpool staged an incredible comeback, scoring three goals in six minutes through Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso. The match went to penalties, and goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek became the hero, saving Andriy Shevchenko’s decisive penalty to secure Liverpool’s fifth European title.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: The greatest comeback in Champions League history.
2. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1999) – The Fergie Time Miracle
📅 Date: May 26, 1999
🏟 Venue: Camp Nou, Barcelona
🏆 Winner: Manchester United
Although this match was technically in the 20th century, it deserves a mention as it set the stage for the modern era of the Champions League.
Bayern Munich led 1-0 for almost the entire game, thanks to Mario Basler’s early free kick. But United scored two stoppage-time goals in what became known as “Fergie Time.” Teddy Sheringham equalized in the 91st minute, and Ole Gunnar Solskjær netted the winner in the 93rd, completing the most dramatic comeback in final history.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: Two goals in stoppage time to complete a historic treble.
3. Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (2014) – La Décima
📅 Date: May 24, 2014
🏟 Venue: Estádio da Luz, Lisbon
🏆 Winner: Real Madrid
Real Madrid had been chasing “La Décima”—their tenth Champions League title—for over a decade, and their wait finally ended in dramatic fashion against city rivals Atlético Madrid.
Atlético led 1-0 for most of the match, thanks to Diego Godín’s first-half goal. But in the 93rd minute, Sergio Ramos scored a towering header, forcing extra time. Real Madrid then dominated, scoring three more through Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo, sealing an emphatic victory.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: A last-minute equalizer and Real’s long-awaited tenth title.
4. Chelsea 1-1 Bayern Munich (2012) – The Drogba Final
📅 Date: May 19, 2012
🏟 Venue: Allianz Arena, Munich
🏆 Winner: Chelsea (4-3 on penalties)
Bayern Munich had home advantage, playing in their own stadium, and dominated much of the final. Thomas Müller put them ahead in the 83rd minute, but Didier Drogba equalized with a stunning header in the 88th minute, sending the match into extra time.
Bayern had a golden chance to win in extra time, but Petr Čech saved Arjen Robben’s penalty. The match went to a shootout, and Drogba scored the winning penalty, securing Chelsea’s first-ever Champions League title.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: Drogba’s heroics and Chelsea’s underdog victory.
5. Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (2018) – Bale’s Spectacular Brace
📅 Date: May 26, 2018
🏟 Venue: NSC Olimpiyskiy Stadium, Kyiv
🏆 Winner: Real Madrid
This final is remembered for two major moments: Loris Karius’ mistakes and Gareth Bale’s stunning bicycle kick.
After Karim Benzema opened the scoring with a bizarre goal following Karius’ mistake, Liverpool equalized through Sadio Mané. Then came the moment of brilliance—Gareth Bale’s outrageous overhead kick, one of the greatest goals in Champions League history.
Bale later scored again from long range, helped by another Karius error, sealing Real Madrid’s third consecutive title under Zinedine Zidane.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: Bale’s wonder goal and Real’s three-peat dominance.
6. Barcelona 2-1 Arsenal (2006) – The Beginning of Barça’s Era
📅 Date: May 17, 2006
🏟 Venue: Stade de France, Paris
🏆 Winner: Barcelona
Arsenal took the lead through Sol Campbell despite going down to 10 men after Jens Lehmann’s early red card. However, Barcelona responded late in the game, with goals from Samuel Eto’o and Juliano Belletti securing their second-ever Champions League title.
This match marked the start of Barcelona’s dominance in Europe, leading to future triumphs under Pep Guardiola.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: The start of Barcelona’s golden era.
7. Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham (2019) – The Fastest Goal in UCL Final History
📅 Date: June 1, 2019
🏟 Venue: Wanda Metropolitano, Madrid
🏆 Winner: Liverpool
Liverpool’s victory over Tottenham was not the most thrilling final, but it was historic for several reasons. Mohamed Salah scored a penalty in the second minute, making it the fastest goal in a Champions League final. Liverpool then secured the title with a late Divock Origi goal.
This match completed Liverpool’s redemption arc, after losing the previous year’s final to Real Madrid.
🔥 Why It’s Legendary: Liverpool’s sixth European crown and Salah’s fast goal.
Conclusion
The Champions League final has given football fans some of the greatest moments in history. From Liverpool’s Miracle of Istanbul to Manchester United’s last-minute comeback, these finals remind us why football is the beautiful game. Which Champions League final is your favorite? Let us know and continue celebrating Aw8 online casino Singapore! ⚽
