5 greatest comebacks in UEFA Champions League history

#1 Liverpool - 3 AC Milan - 3 (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties), 2004-05 final

Liverpool rejoice after winning the 2004-05 Champions League

2003 winners AC Milan looked on course for their seventh UEFA Champions League title when Paolo Maldini scored a rare right-footed goal in the opening minute of the 2004-05 final against Liverpool in Istanbul.

It was the Italian centre-back's first goal in the competition in 11 years, and only the third overall, as Maldini recorded the fastest goal in a Champions League final.

Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo then netted twice in the space of five minutes as Milan went to the break with a commanding 3-0 advantage.

A resurgent Liverpool replied with three goals in the space of six second-half minutes as Steven Gerrard (53rd minute), Vladimir Smicer (56th minute) and Xabi Alonso's penalty at the hour-mark cancelled out Milan's three-goal advantage. Liverpool's custodian Jerzy Dudek pulled off two spectacular point-blank range saves in extra-time to deny Milan forward Andriy Shevchenko as a penalty shootout ensued.

Dudek was not done for the night though. The Polish keeper repelled efforts from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko as Liverpool celebrated one of the greatest comebacks in their history en route to their 5th title in the competition.

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Bhargav is a veteran sports journalist and editor at Sportskeeda, with a rich professional experience of 17 years, working for the likes of Siemens and Bombay Dyeing. An avid football and tennis follower for over three decades, Bhargav uses his vast knowledge and experience, attention to detail, an unbiased yet interesting writing style, and thorough research to craft insightful articles, which have raked in over 18 million reads so far.

Bhargav supports Italy at national level, a team steeped in tradition and history according to him. He still harbors the heartbreak from the Azzurri’s 1994 FIFA World Cup final defeat against Brazil, and protagonist-turned-antagonist from the game, ‘Divine Ponytail’ Roberto Baggio is his all-time favorite player. His favorite manager is Marcelo Lippi, who ended Italy’s 24-year wait for the World Cup trophy, winning it in 2006.

Outside Europe’s top five leagues, he follows the MLS following Lionel Messi’s move in 2023 but favors Cristiano Ronaldo in the G.O.A.T. debate. During his free time, Bhargav enjoys driving off to new places and singing.

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Edited by Musab Abid