From stunning goals, emphatic upsets, to come-from-behind wins, from Champions League to World Cup, from League clashes to Cup games, here are All Football Top 10 matches of 2018 review!
In the hyper-accelerated world of football, it is easy to get lost in the midst of a calendar that never stops. This death-by-football, though, shouldn’t leave you with the illusion that there weren’t high points and low points in this flow of games across the last twelve months.
Here at All Football, we’ve crunched the numbers, watched hours of match highlights and match reports, discussed, shuffled, asked you the AFers and drawn up a list of the Top 10 football matches from 2018.
Of course, as with anything like this, there are some notable omissions: the two clashes between Bayern Munich & Real Madrid in the Champions League, for instance, were always the best matches of 2018: First leg 2-1 defeated at Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich looked to revenge at Bernabeu, and the second leg was totally magnificent: Bayern were so brilliant as visitors in Madrid, but ultimately undone by goalkeeper Ulreich's awful mistake... and so resolute Real Madrid made it to yet another Champions League final.
Besides, there are still too many wonderful matches which aren't in our TOP 10 matches list, maybe you can still remember them: PSG thrashed Monaco 7-1 on 16 April, Levante 5-4 Barcelona, Lazio 2-3 Inter (Nerazzurri returned to Champions League after 6 years with a dramatic win). Too many wonderful memories!
Well, without further ado, here are the Top 10 football matches of 2018!
10
Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool: Bale fabulous double secures Los Blancos 3RD CL TROPHY IN A ROW
On 26 May, Bale scored one of European football's great goals to help Real Madrid overcome Liverpool and win their third successive Champions League title as goalkeeper Karius suffered a personal nightmare.
Bale made his mark on another Champions League final with a magnificent overhead kick to put Real 2-1 up after 64 minutes.
Liverpool had already suffered the devastating blow of losing top scorer Salah midway through the first half - with a shoulder injury sustained in a challenge with Real Madrid captain Ramos - when calamity struck for Karius.
Six minutes after half-time, the German inexplicably threw the ball against Benzema, who was not even challenging with urgency, and watched in horror as the ball rolled behind him into the net.
Liverpool recovered from the shock to equalise through Mane before Bale stepped off the bench to score his wonder goal.
There was to be no comeback from Liverpool this time and Karius's misery was complete when he fumbled Bale's hopeful 30-yard shot behind him to seal Real's win.
It sealed Real's record 13th win in this competition, and their fourth in five seasons to give coach Zidane this third triumph in 3 years.
9
On 17 December, Shaqiri came off the bench to inspire a Liverpool victory over a lacklustre Manchester United that takes them back to the top of the Premier League.
Liverpool needed the win after Manchester City beat Everton - and it was substitute Shaqiri's rapid-fire double strike in the second half that gave Jurgen Klopp's side the three points they fully deserved.
Mane's 24th-minute volley from Fabinho's perfect delivery gave Liverpool the lead their lightning start merited, only for a dreadful error by goalkeeper Alisson to give United an unlikely lifeline before the break when he fumbled Lukaku's cross into the path of Lingard.
United barely offered an attacking threat but were frustrating Liverpool until Klopp introduced Shaqiri with less than 20 minutes remaining, with devastating effect.
Well, after being defeated by the Reds, former Man Utd boss Mourinho was sacked just 2 days after the match.
8
ABSOLUTE DRAMA! Real Madrid 1-3 Juventus (agg 4-3): Ronaldo's late penalty saves Real
On 11 April, Cristiano Ronaldo's injury-time penalty put holders Real Madrid through to the Champions League semi-finals after holding off a stunning Juventus comeback.
Ronaldo's coolly taken 97th-minute penalty into the top corner came after Benatia brought down Vazquez in the box.
Juve goalkeeper Buffon was sent off by referee after awarding the spot-kick, for foul and abusive language.
Real Madrid came into the second leg leading 3-0, helped by Ronaldo's stunning bicycle kick.
But the Serie A leaders got off to a perfect start when Mandzukic headed in from Khedira's cross after just two minutes and Mandzukic got a second before half-time.
Matuidi pounced to capitalise on Navas' fumble to level the tie on aggregate before the dramatic ending.
7
On 7th April, City needed victory to be confirmed as champions but Pogba scored two goals in two minutes to overturn City's first-half lead before Smalling's volley completed the dramatic turnaround.
Guardiola's side had delivered a first-half masterclass with captain Kompany scoring with a thumping header after 25 minutes and Gudogan adding a second five minutes later after a clever turn and finish.
It gave United hope and how Jose Mourinho's team responded as Pogba stole in to pull a goal back after 53 minutes and head the equaliser 2 minutes later.
The remarkable turnaround was complete when Smalling, badly at fault for Kompany's goal, arrived unmarked to steer Sanchez's free-kick past the exposed Ederson in the 69th minute.
6
FRANCE, WORLD CHAMPIONS! Les Bleus beat Croatia 4-2 in epic final to lift the trophy!
On 17th July, France become new world champions! Les Bleus outshine Croatia in an epic World Cup final to grab a 4-2 victory to lift the World Cup trophy!
In what was a fitting end to what is considered one of the most exciting World Cups in recent memory, France bared its collective two-way muscle by outgunning, and stifling Croatia, 4-2 to be named champions the second time.
A pair of early breaks went Les Bleus' way, and Ivan Perisic came up with a beautiful equalizer to force France to step up.
Some stunning goals from Paul Pogba (59th minute) and Kylian Mbappe (65th minute) then secured the title for the overpowering French side.
5
France 4-3 Argentina: Mbappe sends Messi home as the wonderkid writes his name in history
On 30 June, France swept its way to the knock-out stage, while Argentina merely squeaked its way through.
With the stage set, world football powerhouses delivered a proper thriller in the 7-goal extravaganza.
Antoine Griezmann powered a penalty through for Les Bleus in the 13th minute before Angel Di Maria broke Argentina's drought with a wonder goal in the 41st minute.
Gabrial Mercado doubled up Albiceleste's scoring after deflecting Lionel Messi's strike into the goal in the 48th.
Not to be outdone, Benjamin Pavard answered with one of the goals of the tournament in the 57th minute to give France the boost it needed.
With the game tied, it was 19-year-old Kylian Mbappe who stole the show, scoring two quick goals in the 64th and 68th minutes to ultimately put away Argentina.
4
Roma 3-0 Barcelona: Roma finish unbelievable MIRACLE to knock Barca out of UCL
Yes, this was true - On 11 April, Roma pulled off a sensational second-leg comeback to beat Barcelona 3-0 and reach the Champions League semi-finals on away goals.
Barca were heavy favourites to progress after a 4-1 first-leg win, but fell apart to Roma's brilliant showing.
Defender Manolas scored the crucial third goal, heading in at the near post with eight minutes remaining.
Dzeko struck early to give Roma hope and De Rossi added a second-half penalty.
The crowd at the Stadio Olimpico erupted at the final whistle as the Roma substitutes and coaching staff piled on to the pitch to celebrate with the players.
There were tears in the stands from those watching, not quite believing what they had witnessed.
3
Liverpool 4-3 Man City: 3 goals in 9 minutes! Reds end Citizens 30-round unbeaten record
On 15 January, Manchester City lost a Premier League game for the first time in 2017-18 season as Liverpool edged a thrilling encounter with the league leaders at Anfield.
The Reds scored 3 times in a rousing 8-minute spell in the second half to go 4-1 up, then clung on after City scored twice in last 6 minutes.
Alex-Oxlade Chamberlain's low drive gave Liverpool an early lead, but City were level before half-time through Leroy Sane, who beat Karius at his near post following Gomez's mistake.
The game turned decisively in two minutes either side of the hour mark, when poor defending by Stones let in Firmino, and Mane - who had just hit the post - struck a stunning finish high past Ederson.
Ederson's poor clearance gifted Salah a fourth, and despite their late wobble, Liverpool closed out the win to go third in the table.
2
Portugal 3-3 Spain: Magical Ronaldo outshines mighty Spain with amazing HAT-TRICK
You will never forget! On 16 June, sensational Cristiano Ronaldo dazzled with a hat-trick to complete come-from-behind effort from Portugal!
In what was arguably the most anticipated group stage matches of the World Cup this year, Iberian rivals Portugal and Spain delivered a memorable match between star-studded squads.
The scoring in the six-goal thriller started very early, with Cristiano Ronaldo netting the first of his trifecta of goals in the 4th minute via a hard-earned penalty.
Twenty minutes later, Diego Costa answered to quiet down the Portuguese side with a solo goal. Ronaldo and Costa then exchanged scoring strikes in the 44th and 55th minutes respectively before Nacho blasted a curling strike from the outside.
Down by one goal, Ronaldo responded with a magical goal off a free kick in the 88th to cap off the scintillating draw.
1
Barcelona 5-1 Madrid: Suarez hat-trick settles El Clasico in Nou Camp thrashing
On 29 October, Suarez scored a hat-trick as Barcelona outclassed Real Madrid to seal a stylish El Clasico victory that further damages their bitter rivals and Madrid's stricken manager Lopetegui (who eventually was sacked after this match).
Lopetegui's side conjured something of a revival in the second half but ultimately they were sunk by an irresistible Barca performance.
Coutinho slotted in and Suarez converted a penalty, awarded by a video assistant referee decision for Varane's foul on the Uruguayan, for Barca's half-time advantage.
Marcelo chested down and finished to give Real hope, but Suarez's header and chipped finish, followed by Vidal's header, completed the rout.
The visitors had begun the day within four points of Barca, but now trail them by seven and find themselves ninth in the table after 10 matches.
What are we missing? Let us know by commenting below!
All of out TOP 10 matches are mostly according to you AFers' choices above, we sincerely want to thank you for being with us in such an amazing football year! Let's look forward to 2019, which will come by the same magnificence and brilliance as 2018 this year, and, obviously, All Football will always be with you all.
We wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!
TonyV25
285
My Favorite games of 2018 1. Manchester United 3-2 City 2. Belgium 3-2 Japan 3. Real 1-3 Juventus 4. Roma 3-0 Barcelona 5. Liverpool 4-3 City 6. United 3-2 Newcastle
RealMd13
231
🔥🔥🔥💪🏾 Liverpool came out smokin in the 1st half But Real Madrid was not jokin We were pickin and pokin Pouring water on that Liverpool smokin and i know we shock and amaze fans around the world By destroying Liverpool A team that Murder Manchester city but Someone needed to Remind Liverpool who are the boss in Europe 😂😂😂
musbimrsy
141
When you think So classicos have trophies just think about this picture 😂😂😂
tropicalda
119
PORTUGAL 3-3 SPAIN I am sorry but I think it should have been Ronaldo vs Spain Spain had a team,,, Portugal had Ronaldo,,, And that has made all the difference! CR7 is the best because he delivers in every platform and team he plays for. He is flexible, strongly motivated, a very good leader and most importantly not pressurised Ignore the three goals that Ronaldo scored, Ronaldo’s presence in counter attacks and build up play proves again and again that he is one of the best, and certainly the most important player in Portugal by far
Kizcilmtu
79
My favorites matches in 2018? *France 4-3 Argentina *FC Barcelona 5-1 Real Madrid *France 4-2 Croatia *Manchester City 2-3 Manchester United :))
Zihamorys
72
When Roma set an ablaze in the Spanish second giant Barcelona which led to the 3 consecutive times Barcelona went home
SIAM3963
69
Argentina vs France... It was a really exciting match to watch.. Mbappe was absolutely insane with his dribbling and skills... pavard's goal was like a knife in melting butter... Aguero and Messi tried to do the remontada but failed... Greizman was on fire...
Irfan19
67
Really this year has been amazing. Some awesome matches played. Some upsets. For me the top matches are: Real Madrid 1 Barcelona 5 ; Spain 3 Portugal 3 ; and France 4 Argentina 3. There are some more matches like Juve 3 Real 1; Liverpool 4 Man City 3 etc. Really this year was awesome.