Greatest ever UCL ties: Liverpool 2019 comeback, Milan downed by underdogs

Inter Milan are the first team to reach the 2024-25 Champions League final in Munich after a stellar victory against Barcelona.

The tie served up a superb Champions League night as the match ended 7-6 on aggregate in favour of the Italians.

Intriguingly, both ties ended 3-3 in normal time as Inter Milan exposed Barcelona’s high line whilst Lamine Yamal dazzled on the right wing.

Both teams put on a tremendous show which has prompted pundits and fans alike to ask if it is the greatest Champions League tie to the grace the football world.

From impossible comebacks to end-to-end drama, we have assembled the top 10 best Champions League ties and where the Inter vs Barcelona epic places.

10. 1999 Manchester United vs Juventus (4-3 aggregate)

After a tetchy 1-1 first leg at Old Trafford, it was all to play for in the second leg of the 1998-99 semi-final second leg in Turin.

A stacked Juventus midfield featuring Zinedine Zidane and Edgar Davids ran proceedings early on as Inter boss Simone Inzaghi’s brother Filippo sent la Vecchia Signora into a 2-0 lead in 11 minutes.

The Red Devils looked down and out before captain Roy Keane inspired a remarkable comeback in Juventus’ backyard with a header in the 24th minute.

Dwight Yorke levelled the tie in the 34th minute before the Italian side thought they had grabbed the lead in the second half, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside.

Yorke was involved in the deciding goal as he burst through the Juventus defence, knocking the ball round the keeper to be tucked in by Andy Cole, knocking Carlo Ancelotti’s side out of the competition.

9. 2003 Real Madrid vs Manchester United (6-5 aggregate)

The quarter-final first leg at the Santiago Bernabeu put Los Blancos in a commanding lead as goals from Luis Figo and Raul put Madrid 3-1 up heading to Manchester.

Yet, the second leg played out an end-to-end game which saw a hattrick from Ronaldo as he ran rampant against the United defence, including a swerving 30-yard screamer.

Responses from Ruud van Nistelrooy before half time and a late brace from future Galactico David Beckham fell short of the 6-5 final score, breaking Manchester United hearts.

The 2002 Ballon d’Or winner proved his calibre as both fans gave a standing ovation to the Brazilian when he departed from the pitch in the 67th minute.

8. 2005 Chelsea vs Barcelona (5-4 aggregate)

A frustrating first leg at the Nou Camp gave Chelsea a 2-1 disadvantage heading into the second leg at Stamford Bridge.

Two yellow cards for star striker Didier Drogba after grabbing a first half goal via Barcelona right back Juliano Belletti gave Chelsea an upwards battle.

The Blues conceded two goals in six minutes including from future Chelsea striker Samuel Eto’o.

The reverse tie saw Chelsea respond quickly to rectify the wrongs of the first leg. Three goals in the first 20 minutes saw the Blues lead the tie.

Brazilian wizard Ronaldinho swiftly netted twice to level proceedings as both sides pushed for a deciding goal to avoid extra-time.

In the 76th minute, Chelsea skipper John Terry rose the highest with his long-range header finding the bottom corner, sending Chelsea into the quarter-finals.

7. 2004 Deportivo La Coruna vs AC Milan (5-4 aggregate)

Deportivo La Coruna created one of the greatest underdog stories after overturning a 4-1 deficit from the first leg.

Goals from Kaka, Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko put the Rossoneri in a dominant position heading into the second leg in the north of Spain, all but guaranteeing their place in the next round.

However, La Coruna turned the tie around in the second leg after putting four goals past the Italian giants including three goals within the first half to level the tie.

Fran’s 76th minute winner meant the unassuming Spanish side delivered the unthinkable to progress to the semi-finals in an incredible turn of events for the Galician side.

6. 2017 Monaco vs Manchester City (6-6 aggregate, Monaco win on away goals)

Manchester City and Monaco were locked in an eight-goal thriller in the first leg which set up a dramatic second leg.

In the first leg, the strikers ran the show as Sergio Aguero and Colombian Radamel Falcao both bagged a brace with the latter denied a hattrick from the spot by Willy Caballero.

An 18-year-old Kylian Mbappe also bagged in the first leg which he followed up in the second leg as he opened the scoring to give Monaco a fighting chance on home soil.

A 29th minute finish from future Liverpool powerhouse Fabinho was cancelled out by Leroy Sane in the 71st minute.

City looked to be edging their way to the quarter-final until Tiemoue Bakayoko’s perfect header found the back of net six minutes later, meaning les Monegasques won on away goals.

5. 2022 Real Madrid vs Manchester City (6-5 aggregate)

Pep Guardiola versus Carlo Ancelotti – this is pure Champions League heritage.

The two great managers were locked in an intense battle in the 2021-22 semi-final which saw a riveting end-to-end encounter.

Early strikes from Kevin De Bruyne and Gabriel Jesus gave the Cityzens an early edge before Karim Benzema struck before half time.

Expert finishes from Phil Foden, Vinicius Jnr and Bernardo Silva only added to the drama before an 82nd minute Panenka penalty from Benzema set up a vital second leg with the scoreline at 4-3.

The Bernabeu hosted a much tighter second leg as Riyad Mahrez’s looked to be the only goal of the game to send City through.

Guardiola was left in disbelief as his side collapsed, conceding two goals within a matter of minutes in stoppage time, moments from sealing their place in the final.

Rodrygo’s brace revitalised the Madristas who pushed on in extra-time, hungry for the killer goal to end the battle.

The titan of the tie, Benzema won a penalty early on in extra-time as the Bernabeu roared in elated joy.

The Frenchman stepped up and converted the spot kick expertly to propel Real Madrid to another final, leaving Guardiola wondering how City let the game slip out from their hands.

4. 2018 Barcelona vs Roma (4-4 agg, Roma win on away goals)

There’s something about Barcelona vs Italian team ties that create an insatiable element of chaos and late drama.

It was an Italian horror show in the first leg as two Roma own goals, Suarez and Gerard Pique put Barcelona in an excellent position heading into the second leg with a 4-1 lead.

The return to Rome set the stage for Roma to perform a miracle, prompting the legendary mythological comments from Peter Drury.

Former Manchester City striker Edin Dzeko opened proceedings early on before fan favourite Daniele De Rossi converted a 58th minute penalty.

Then, in the 82nd minute, Kostas Manolas’ near post header sent Roma through on away goals, coining the folkloric Drury commentary:

‘Roma have risen from their ruins! Manolas, the Greek God in Rome! The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes. This was not meant to happen, this could not happen... this is happening!’

A truly incredible resurrection by Roma booked their place in the semi-finals, a night in Rome that the Stadio Olimpico will never forget.

3. 2017 Barcelona vs PSG (6-5 aggregate)

The Catalan giants are not adverse to sparkling Champions League nights as exhibited against Inter Milan and PSG in 2017.

A masterclass from ex-Manchester United winger Angel di Maria, Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani put PSG as firm favourites heading into the second leg with a 4-0 advantage.

Barcelona went back to the Nou Camp with a monumental task on their hands to turn the tie around, a seemingly impossible challenge.

In football anything is possible as the terrifying combination of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar “MSN” inspired a remarkable recovery in the Catalan capital.

A third minute opener from Suarez revved up the crowd for a “remontada” before PSG imploded through defensive mistakes through a Kurzawa own goal and Messi penalty.

Cavani grabbed a goal for PSG in the 62nd minute before an outrageous Neymar free-kick and penalty late into the game put the score at 5-1 with PSG looking to go through on away goals.

In the dying seconds, Sergi Roberto connected with Neymar’s cross, sending the Nou Camp into pandemonium as Barcelona secured their place in the next round in dramatic fashion.

2. 2019 Liverpool vs Barcelona (4-3 aggregate)

Barcelona feature frequently in this list, but not always for winning reasons after this famous Liverpool comeback.

Messi’s outrageous free-kick headlined the game as Barcelona raced into a 3-0 lead against a solid Liverpool team, his set piece bringing out a wry smile from Jurgen Klopp.

Anfield was praying for a miracle in the reverse fixture, facing an in-form Barcelona side who were odds on favourites to win the competition.

Liverpool were quick out of the blocks as Divock Origi tapped in a rebound to give the Liverpool faithful some hope.

A quickfire two-minute double from Giorginio Wijnaldum levelled the tie early in the second half, setting up an intense final 30 minutes of normal time.

Real Madrid bound Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick-thinking corner caught the Barcelona defence off guard, putting the ball on a plate for Origi to tuck it away.

The semi-final comeback theme also correlated in the other semi-final that year as Lucas Moura’s sensational hattrick sent Tottenham through on away goals against Ajax, a truly unforgettable Champions League set of matchups.

1. 2025 Inter Milan vs Barcelona (7-6 aggregate)

13 goals across two legs and extra-time, this is football poetry in motion.

The first leg delighted neutrals as Inter Milan and Barcelona played cat and mouse to finely poise the second leg.

Inter’s aggressive targeting of Barcelona’s high line was fruitful as Marcus Thuram’s deft finish early on led proceedings.

Arguably the best counter-attacking wingback on the planet, Dumfries netted not once but twice.

All eyes were on Lamine Yamal as he gave Federico Dimarco nightmares on the left flank, netting in the 24th minute to keep the tie alive.

The first leg finished 3-3 which set up a stellar night at the San Siro.

Inzaghi’s side again took advantage of Barcelona’s high line as Flick employed an inexperienced backline as the Nerazzurri led at the break 2-0.

Yamal once again inspired a Barcelona comeback as they bagged three goals in the second half, pushing them to the brink of the Champions League final.

Yet, it was 37-year-old veteran defender Francisco Acerbi who tucked in Denzel Dumfries cross in the 90+3 minute, forcing extra time.

Barcelona hearts were broken as substitute Davide Frattesi curled his shot into the corner in the 99th minute of extra time, sending the Nerazzurri crazy as they sealed their place in their second Champions League final in three years.

Simone Inzaghi and Hansi Flick’s sides displayed an outrageously competitive tie with goals, drama and controversy which will go down as the best tie ever seen.