5. Real 1-1 Atlético, 2016 (Real won 5-3 on penalties) The 2016 final did not disappoint as it was the second Champions League final between the two Madrid teams in three years. There was no shortage of controversy when Real’s Sergio Ramos proved to be Atletico’s disaster when he scored the opening goal of the match from an offside position. Atletico got back into the game with Yannick Carrasco equalizing late on after Antoine Griezmann missed a penalty in the second half.

After a tense extra time period, the match went to penalties and from then on there was only one result. Juanfran was unlucky to hit the post while Real Madrid kept calm to score all 5 penalties. Cristiano Ronaldo is the hero as he was the last player to put the ball into Atletico’s net. This match had almost everything, making it one of the greatest Champions League finals of all time.

4. AC Milan 4-0 Barcelona, 1994 This match is very memorable because AC Milan was not even a championship candidate. Barcelona won the trophy in 1992 and have just won La Liga for the fourth consecutive season. On the contrary, Milan is in fluctuating form. Legendary players such as Marco Van Basten and Franco Baresi were absent through injury and suspension respectively, while limits on non-national players meant others such as Brian Laudrup and Jean- Pierre Papin was also not allowed to participate.

However, Fabio Capello’s Milan team surpassed all expectations and won. Dejan Savicevic scored the winner with a superb lob from the edge of the box, the other goals coming from Marcel Desailly and a brace from Daniele Massaro. This was the biggest victory on the biggest stage and is considered one of the best Champions League finals of all time.

3. MU 2-1 Bayern, 1999 For 90 minutes, this was not a particularly thrilling Champions League match. Bayern took an early lead through Mario Basler’s free kick, and Man United found Bayern’s well-organized defense difficult to penetrate. As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, it seemed any hopes of European glory for United were fading. However, two second-half substitutes turned the tables in injury time.

Teddy Sheringham was the first savior, leveling the score with an instinctive finish. Two minutes later, United were in a dream; Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored from a corner to give the Red Devils a seemingly unbelievable victory. Two substitute players combined to create the most impressive finish in the history of a Champions League final. Not only that, the victory also ensured an unprecedented treble for an English team.

2. Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid, 2014 The second Madrid derby to make this list, the 2014 meeting between Real and Atletico had a particularly dramatic ending. The two Diegos took center stage in the first half for Atletico Madrid; Main goal threat Diego Costa was injured after just eight minutes and left Simeone’s side fearing the worst, but centre-back Diego Godin took charge to put them ahead after half an hour. .

Atletico defended solidly for the next hour, holding off one Real attack after another, and seemed destined to win the match. However, Sergio Ramos had other ideas, stepping up to score the equalizer in the 93rd minute to send the match to extra time. As Atletico slumped, Real scored three quick goals to win their 10th European championship, with goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo. La Decima could hardly have unfolded in more dramatic fashion, making this one of the greatest Champions League finals ever.

1. Liverpool 3-3 Milan, 2005 (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties) It’s no surprise that Istanbul’s miracle tops this list. This game has everything; AC Milan is a strong candidate against the lower team Liverpool, the team ranked 5th in the Premier League. In contrast to Rafa Benitez’s side, the Italian giants have a squad filled with world-class talent. Their quality showed in the first half. They took the lead within less than a minute, when captain Paolo Maldini volleyed home Andrea Pirlo’s free kick. Two more goals from Hernan Crespo meant Milan went into half-time with a three-goal advantage.

However, no one could have predicted what would happen in the second half. Liverpool scored three goals in an incredible six minutes, pulling the game back with goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso, sending the Kop crowd into a frenzy.

After that, the Red Brigade continued to hold on, creating a heroic defense to send the match into extra time. An incredible brace from Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek ensured the match went to a well-deserved penalty shootout. Dudek was once again the hero, saving Shevchenko’s penalty to help Liverpool win their fifth European Cup.

With a clearly weak team pulling off one of the greatest comebacks of all time, this was certainly the best Champions League final in history.

Dang Nguyen