The grand finale of the Champions League looms as Real Madrid, in an astonishing feat, overturned a deficit with two goals post the 88th minute, perpetuating their UCL heroics by ousting Bayern Munich on Wednesday. Joselu, delivering a brace since his loan arrival to fill the void left by Karim Benzema's departure for Saudi Arabia, has etched his name into Los Blancos' annals, orchestrating yet another remarkable triumph. Yet, how does this feat compare to the other historic triumphs achieved by the team?
Let us delve into the recount:
In fifth place: Bayern Munich, 2023-24.
It appeared that the night belonged to Manuel Neuer as Bayern Munich surged ahead with a goal from Alphonso Davies. However, amidst a barrage of attempts, Real Madrid eventually breached their defence in the second leg of the semifinal. Joselu's strikes in the 88th and 91st minutes turned the tide of the match. Although Bayern managed to score late, an erroneous offside call and a mistimed whistle thwarted the Bavarians' hopes.
This encounter, pushing the limits and possibly salvaged by officiating decisions, may not hold significant sway in retrospect, given Real Madrid's secured berth in the final. As they step into the final as formidable favourites, Real Madrid will be keen to avert a recurrence of such dramatics.
In fourth place: Liverpool, 2022-23.
Once again, it was a tale of second-half heroics that shattered a 2-2 deadlock on aggregate, epitomising how Los Blancos dismantled their opponents in the round of 16. After initiating their resurgence with an early set-piece goal, Madrid proceeded to net three unanswered goals, clinching a 5-2 victory, and ultimately sealing a 6-2 aggregate triumph. The final score belies the intensity of pivotal moments; when Real Madrid decides to assert dominance, few adversaries can match their tempo.
In third place: Paris Saint-Germain, 2021-22.
Even in the face of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti's stewardship, engineered a comeback in the second leg of the round of 16. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the primed Karim Benzema staged a remarkable revival, netting a hat-trick to overturn PSG's advantage in a mere 45 minutes of play. Despite PSG's fleeting opportunities, with two goals from Mbappe disallowed due to offside, it was a misjudged pass from Gianluigi Donnarumma that proved decisive, facilitating Benzema's crucial strike and setting the stage for an epic turnaround.
In second place: Manchester City, 2021/22.
Regarded as one of the most remarkable comebacks, the absence of a final setting relegates this feat to second place. Manchester City swiftly gained a 2-0 lead within 11 minutes, placing Real Madrid on the back foot. Yet, Los Blancos rallied, reducing the deficit to a single goal by the match's conclusion. The second leg witnessed a tumultuous turn of events, with City leading 5-3 on aggregate until the dying moments of regulation time. While most teams would succumb to such odds, Real Madrid demonstrated their resilience. Rodrygo's swift brace forced extra time, where they stunned a disconcerted City side with another goal, securing a 6-5 aggregate victory. The decisive penalty, calmly dispatched by Benzema, underscored their indomitable spirit.
In first place: Atletico Madrid, 2013-2014.
This monumental clash, occurring in a Champions League final, reigns supreme. Not only was it a showdown between arch-rivals, but it also marked the occasion of Real Madrid clinching their 10th Champions League title, La Decima. Luka Modric's 93rd-minute assist to Sergio Ramos precipitated extra time, during which Real Madrid asserted dominance, netting three goals in the ensuing 30 minutes. Bale, Marcelo, and Ronaldo all etched their names on the scoresheet, against a familiar adversary in Thibaut Courtois. Now, as the Belgian goalkeeper crosses rivalry lines, this encounter stands etched in the annals of football history.
Let us delve into the recount:
In fifth place: Bayern Munich, 2023-24.
It appeared that the night belonged to Manuel Neuer as Bayern Munich surged ahead with a goal from Alphonso Davies. However, amidst a barrage of attempts, Real Madrid eventually breached their defence in the second leg of the semifinal. Joselu's strikes in the 88th and 91st minutes turned the tide of the match. Although Bayern managed to score late, an erroneous offside call and a mistimed whistle thwarted the Bavarians' hopes.
This encounter, pushing the limits and possibly salvaged by officiating decisions, may not hold significant sway in retrospect, given Real Madrid's secured berth in the final. As they step into the final as formidable favourites, Real Madrid will be keen to avert a recurrence of such dramatics.
In fourth place: Liverpool, 2022-23.
Once again, it was a tale of second-half heroics that shattered a 2-2 deadlock on aggregate, epitomising how Los Blancos dismantled their opponents in the round of 16. After initiating their resurgence with an early set-piece goal, Madrid proceeded to net three unanswered goals, clinching a 5-2 victory, and ultimately sealing a 6-2 aggregate triumph. The final score belies the intensity of pivotal moments; when Real Madrid decides to assert dominance, few adversaries can match their tempo.
In third place: Paris Saint-Germain, 2021-22.
Even in the face of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe, Real Madrid, under Carlo Ancelotti's stewardship, engineered a comeback in the second leg of the round of 16. Trailing 2-0 at halftime, the primed Karim Benzema staged a remarkable revival, netting a hat-trick to overturn PSG's advantage in a mere 45 minutes of play. Despite PSG's fleeting opportunities, with two goals from Mbappe disallowed due to offside, it was a misjudged pass from Gianluigi Donnarumma that proved decisive, facilitating Benzema's crucial strike and setting the stage for an epic turnaround.
In second place: Manchester City, 2021/22.
Regarded as one of the most remarkable comebacks, the absence of a final setting relegates this feat to second place. Manchester City swiftly gained a 2-0 lead within 11 minutes, placing Real Madrid on the back foot. Yet, Los Blancos rallied, reducing the deficit to a single goal by the match's conclusion. The second leg witnessed a tumultuous turn of events, with City leading 5-3 on aggregate until the dying moments of regulation time. While most teams would succumb to such odds, Real Madrid demonstrated their resilience. Rodrygo's swift brace forced extra time, where they stunned a disconcerted City side with another goal, securing a 6-5 aggregate victory. The decisive penalty, calmly dispatched by Benzema, underscored their indomitable spirit.
In first place: Atletico Madrid, 2013-2014.
This monumental clash, occurring in a Champions League final, reigns supreme. Not only was it a showdown between arch-rivals, but it also marked the occasion of Real Madrid clinching their 10th Champions League title, La Decima. Luka Modric's 93rd-minute assist to Sergio Ramos precipitated extra time, during which Real Madrid asserted dominance, netting three goals in the ensuing 30 minutes. Bale, Marcelo, and Ronaldo all etched their names on the scoresheet, against a familiar adversary in Thibaut Courtois. Now, as the Belgian goalkeeper crosses rivalry lines, this encounter stands etched in the annals of football history.
