The UEFA Champions League is the most prestigious competition in football. The finest teams in Europe are drawn from a hat, and a mix of underdogs and giants compete for a spot in the final. While it occasionally gives fans a fantasy ideal match, it also tells brilliantly dramatic stories all throughout Europe.


The Champions League's charm lies in its unpredictable nature. Anything can happen, and while some seasons may be a little predictable, there is always some crazy football to be unearthed. We've narrowed it down to the top 20 games ever played in the competition.


20. Bayern Munich 0-2 Inter (2010)




It wouldn't be a Champions League list without some classic names. Mourinho, Jose.


Inter won a historic triple under the Portuguese coach that season, culminating in a technical masterclass to win the club's first Champions League since 1965. Not everyone's cup of tea, but prime football history.


19. Monaco 8-3 Deportivo La Coruna (2003)



Monaco scored two goals in the first 11 minutes, igniting a wild group stage battle.


The early 2000s surprise gift from Spain was thoroughly humbled, however, when Dado Pro scored a hat-trick to lead Monaco to a ludicrous triumph.


18. Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Malaga (2013)



Borussia Dortmund's last-gasp triumph against Malaga in the 2013 Champions League final is one that goes unnoticed.


Two injury-time goals turned the game around, with FIFA 13 icon Felipe Santana scoring the game-winner. The scenes are unbelievable.


17. Chelsea 2-2 Barcelona (2012)

Chelsea was out for retribution in 2012 after being cheated out of a final three years prior, and they delivered in spectacular and tragic form for Barcelona.


In the dying embers, Fernando Torres sprinted through at an empty goal and poked home for Roberto Di Matteo's side, giving Gary Neville his famed goal-gasm.


16. Ajax 5-2 Bayern Munich (1995)


Ajax continued to stun neutrals by blasting five goals past Bayern Munich to clinch their spot in 1995 final.


Ajax won the competition because of superb play, equally stunning jerseys, and a compelling story. This is Champions League football at its finest.


15. Barcelona 2-8 Bayern Munich (2020)


As if the COVID-19 outbreak hadn't horrified the world enough, football suffered a full collapse on the biggest platform.


Barcelona's humiliation at the hands of Bayern Munich was a sobering realization. Philippe Coutinho, on loan from Barcelona, came in and scored in a game that made Lionel Messi want to leave the club. Imagine if there were fans in attendance.


14. Bayern Munich 4-2 Juventus (2016)


Then came the second leg.


Paul Pogba scored after only five minutes to give Juventus a 2-0 lead in Germany. However, Thomas Muller's injury-time equalizer forced the game into extra time, where Juventus loanee Kingsley Coman ensured Bayern's victory. Everyone.



13. Inter 1-5 Arsenal (2003)


Arsenal arrived at San Siro in 2003 for a group stage match and went wild in a pure Hulkamania manner.


For 90 minutes, Thierry Henry was a terror, scoring a brace and assisting two more as he left every Inter defender with ankles that would never be the same.


12. Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (2019)


With Liverpool recovering at Anfield to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit, a swiftly taken corner was the pinnacle of one of Gazprom's greatest comebacks.


Jurgen Klopp's team carved out a 4-0 margin to reach the final, which they went on to win. Divock Origi achieved cult hero status for his heroics.


11. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1999)


Although the 90 minutes of football were not always the most exciting, the sheer emotion of the 1999 final pushed it into the top 10.


Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored two injury-time goals to send Peter Schmeichel spinning and Bayern Munich limp and lifeless as United completed a treble at the death.


10. Chelsea 4-4 Liverpool (2009)


Chelsea enjoys a good dose of Champions League drama.


In an all-English quarter-final, an eight-goal thriller between two of the Premier League's most dynamic sides. The Blues came back from a 2-0 deficit to advance, thanks to defender Alex's disgustingly strong free-kick strike that blew Stamford Bridge away.


9. Milan 4-0 Barcelona (1994)


In a spectacular final in 1994, two of Europe's greatest clashed.


Barcelona was a strong favorite to win their second European title in three years, but Milan was missing key players such as Marco Van Basten, Franco Baresi, and others. The Rossoneri somehow dominated, and Daniele Massaro's brace in the first half put them on pace for a four-goal thrashing.


8. Chelsea 4-2 Barcelona (2005)


With Ronaldinho's great attempts and pure skill - who scored an outrageous one-step shot from the edge of the box - Chelsea managed to sneak into the quarter-finals in a thrilling match.


Jose Mourinho's team was on top of the world and on their way to back-to-back league titles, providing supporters with some really unforgettable moments like these.


7. Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 Milan (2003)


Milan seemed to have a foot in the final four when they beat Deportivo 4-1 in the first leg in 2003.


However, in classic 'Super Depor' style, the Spaniards overcame all expectations in the second leg at home, thrashing Milan 4-0 and winning 5-4 on aggregate to snare a spot in the semi-final.


6. Juventus 2-3 Manchester United (1999)


Anyone who tries to paint Roy Keane as a con artist should face the consequences.


United came back from a 2-0 deficit after 11 minutes thanks to Keane's outstanding effort. He missed the final due to a booking, but United would not have made it without his goal and role in the Juve midfield, which prompted a spectacular comeback.


5. Liverpool 4-2 Arsenal (2008)


Arsenal looked poised to reach the semi-finals in 2008 with an early Abou Diaby away goal and a second late on.


After Arsenal's second goal, who better than local lad Steven Gerrard to scoop in a penalty to turn the tide back in Liverpool's favor? Anfield roared as Ryan Babel scored his fourth goal, securing the final four points.


4. Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (2022)


After Riyad Mahrez gave City the lead in the 73rd minute, the 13-time champions were losing 5-3 on aggregate heading into the 90th minute at the Bernabeu.


Real Madrid defeated Manchester City and advanced to the final with one of the most amazing comebacks in Champions League history; Rodrygo scored twice in the final two minutes to force extra time; the winner was Karim Benzema, who set up a final against Liverpool in Paris.

3. Ajax 2-3 Tottenham (2019)



A very talented, youthful Ajax side capitulated at the finish in the 2019 semi-final, attempting to channel a performance that mirrored their 1995 run.


Lucas Moura's hat-trick-clinching injury-time goal sent Tottenham into their first Champions League final. Just don't bring it up again.


2. Barcelona 6-1 Paris Saint-Germain (2017)


When Paris Saint-Germain defeated Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the 2017 quarter-final, it was a shock of colossal proportions.


Luis Suarez's goal three minutes into the second leg was crucial, but it wasn't until a thrilling flurry of goals late in the game that Barça completed their incredible comeback. Neymar's brace led the surge, which was ironic given that he would move to PSG the following summer.


1. Milan 3-3 Liverpool (2005)


That final in Istanbul remains the greatest Champions League game of all time.


Milan led 3-0 at halftime, and the writing appeared to be on the wall. However, Liverpool emerged as European champions after scoring three goals in six minutes and missing more penalties than I've had hot meals. When it came to spot-kicks, Jerzy Dudek shone in the Reds' goal.