Over the past week, the term La Remontada has dominated football media as fans eagerly debate whether Real Madrid can pull off another miraculous comeback after their 0-3 defeat to Arsenal in London.
Dailysports has revisited some of the most iconic comebacks in the history of Europe’s premier club competition.
2016/17 Season – Round of 16: Barcelona vs PSG (6-1, first leg: 0-4)
Arguably the most famous comeback in football history, Barcelona became the only team to overturn a 4-goal deficit in the Champions League. After losing 4-0 in Paris, few believed Barcelona had any chance. However, Edinson Cavani’s away goal for PSG seemed to seal Barcelona’s fate. But Neymar’s incredible performance—scoring twice, including a penalty—along with Sergi Roberto’s last-minute goal, saw Barcelona advance. Over 90,000 fans at Camp Nou were so ecstatic that seismologists recorded a micro-earthquake when the final goal went in. However, the joy was short-lived, as Barcelona was eliminated by Juventus in the next round.
2018/19 Season – Semi-final: Liverpool vs Barcelona (4-0, first leg: 0-3)
Barcelona’s 3-0 win at Camp Nou seemed to put them in a commanding position, especially with Liverpool missing key players Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino. But Divock Origi, filling in for Firmino, scored early in the second leg. Georginio Wijnaldum’s quick-fire double leveled the tie, and then came Origi’s iconic goal from a quick corner by Trent Alexander-Arnold, catching Barcelona’s defense off guard. Despite Ousmane Dembélé’s missed chance for Barcelona, Liverpool went on to the final, where they triumphed over Tottenham.
2003/04 Season – Quarter-final: Deportivo La Coruña vs AC Milan (4-0, first leg: 1-4)
AC Milan, a dominant force in Europe at the time, was heavy favorites to progress after a 4-1 win in the first leg. But Deportivo staged a remarkable turnaround in the second leg. Walter Pandiani and Juan Carlos Valerón put them ahead, and by halftime, the Spanish side had a one-goal advantage on away goals. Milan’s defense was wide open, and Fran Gonzalez’s fourth goal sealed the improbable comeback. Deportivo was eventually eliminated by Porto, who went on to win the Champions League under José Mourinho.
2017/18 Season – Quarter-final: Roma vs Barcelona (3-0, first leg: 1-4)
Barcelona seemed set for a comfortable progression after a 4-1 win in the first leg. But Roma’s resilience in the return leg at Stadio Olimpico stunned everyone. Edin Dzeko’s early goal set the tone, and a penalty from Daniele De Rossi brought Roma even closer. Kostas Manolas’ dramatic header in the 82nd minute sent Roma through, while Barcelona’s defensive frailties cost them dearly.
2021/22 Season – Semi-final: Real Madrid vs Manchester City (3-1, first leg: 3-4)
This comeback was one of the most dramatic in recent memory. In the first leg, Manchester City led 4-3, and in the return leg at the Bernabeu, Real Madrid seemed out of it after Riyad Mahrez’s 73rd-minute goal put City ahead. With only a 1% chance of progression, Real Madrid pulled off the unthinkable. Rodrygo’s two goals in the dying minutes of regulation forced extra time, and Karim Benzema’s penalty in extra time sealed the win. Real Madrid then defeated Liverpool in the final.
In total, only four teams in Champions League history have come back from a 3-goal deficit in the first leg, and Real Madrid has never managed to do it. Will they rewrite history today?
