The UEFA Champions League has seen some of
the greatest players and teams in history compete for the trophy. Over the past
20 years, there have been some truly memorable matches that have captured the
imagination of fans around the world.
Here are four of the best Champions League
matches of the 21st century:
2005 Champions League Final: Liverpool vs AC Milan
Liverpool was trailing 3-0 at halftime to a
dominant AC Milan side. But in the second half, the Reds scored three goals in
six minutes to force extra time. And then, in the 117th minute, Steven Gerrard
scored the winning goal to give Liverpool their fifth European Cup.
The match was played in Istanbul, Turkey,
and it was a hot and humid night. AC Milan started the match brightly and took
the lead in the first minute through Paolo Maldini. They doubled their lead in
the 39th minute through Hernan Crespo, and then made it 3-0 in the 44th minute,
again through Crespo.
Liverpool was stunned, but they came out
fighting in the second half. They pulled a goal back in the 54th minute through
Steven Gerrard, and then equalized in the 56th minute through Vladimir Smicer.
In the 61st minute, Xabi Alonso put Liverpool ahead for the first time in the
match.
AC Milan pushed for an equaliser, but they
were unable to break down the Liverpool defence. The match went to extra time,
and then to penalties. Liverpool won the penalty shootout 3-2, and they were
crowned Champions League winners.
2012 Champions League Final: Bayern Munich vs Chelsea
This match was a classic between two of the
best teams in the world. Bayern Munich were the defending champions and were
looking to win their third title in four years. Chelsea were the underdogs, but
they had a great chance to win the trophy after taking a 1-0 lead in the first
half.
However, Bayern Munich came back in the
second half to score three goals and win the match 4-1. The goals were scored
by Thomas Muller, Mario Gomez, Arjen Robben, and Ivica Olic.
The match was played in Munich, Germany,
and it was a thrilling encounter. Chelsea started the match brightly and took
the lead in the 83rd minute through Didier Drogba. However, Bayern Munich
equalized in the 87th minute through Mario Gomez, and then scored three goals
in the last three minutes of the match to win the trophy.
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2014 Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs Atlético
Madrid
This match was a rematch of the 2014
semi-final, which Real Madrid won 4-1 on aggregate. Atlético Madrid were
looking to avenge their defeat and win their first Champions League title. Real
Madrid were the defending champions and were looking to win their 10th European
Cup.
The match was tied at 1-1 after extra time,
and it went to penalties. Real Madrid won the penalty shootout 5-3 to claim
their 10th European Cup.
The match was played in Lisbon, Portugal,
and it was a close encounter throughout. Atlético Madrid took the lead in the
36th minute through Diego Godin, but Real Madrid equalized in the 93rd minute
through Sergio Ramos. The match went to extra time, and then to penalties.
Real Madrid won the penalty shootout 5-3,
and they claimed their 10th European Cup.
2018 Champions League Final: Real Madrid vs Liverpool
This match was a rematch of the 2018
semi-final, which Real Madrid won 3-1 on aggregate. Liverpool was looking to
avenge their defeat and win their first Champions League title since 2005. Real
Madrid were the defending champions and were looking to win their third
consecutive title.
The match was tied at 3-3 after extra time,
and it went to penalties. Real Madrid won the penalty shootout 4-1 to claim
their fourth Champions League title in five years.
The match was played in Kiev, Ukraine, and
it was a close encounter throughout. Real Madrid took the lead in the 51st
minute through Karim Benzema, but Liverpool equalized in the 55th minute through
Sadio Mane. Real Madrid took the lead again in the 64th minute through Gareth
Bale, but Liverpool equalized again in the 78th minute through Divock Origi.
The match went to extra time, and then to penalties.
Real Madrid won the penalty shootout 4-1,
and they claimed their fourth Champions League title in five years.
