Top 10 Greatest Club Football Matches of All Time

After the regular season came to a close, Belgian Pro League’s K.R.C. Genk met Royal Antwerp on the final day of the playoffs in 2023. During this match, there were three instances when either Genk, Antwerp, or Union St.-Gilloise were set to be the title winners. It looked like Genk would take the title as they led 2-1. However, in the dying seconds of the match, the ball fell to legendary defender Toby Alderweireld. With a thunderous strike from outside the box, the former Belgium and Tottenham Hotspur player equalized for his side, giving Antwerp their first title since the 1956-57 season!

Having only won four league matches since the new year during the 1998-99 season, Inter Milan was having a rough run in Serie A by the time they faced Roma in May. Yet all that bad form went out the window in this hard-fought battle. With two sides filled with incredible talent, fans were in for a treat. Inter had the likes of Ronaldo, Roberto Baggio, and Javier Zanetti, while representing Roma were stars including Francesco Totti, Damiano Tommasi, and Marco Delvecchio. Inter kept taking the lead yet Roma never let up. Near the end of the match, the score was a nerve-shattering 4-4. Near the end of the match, with a free-kick crossed into the box, the ball met the head of Diego Simeone, who nodded it into the net, giving Inter an impressive 5-4 win.

In 2010, it seemed like the Spanish side would beat the Italian club when they faced each other in the semi-final of the Champions league. However, in the first leg, Inter took a 3-1 win. But the second leg in April was incredible. Even after having Thiago Motta controversially sent off, manager Jose Mourinho showcased a defensive masterclass against his former employers. Inter didn’t have a shot on goal, while Barça dominated with their ball possession. Yet even with Barcelona getting the 1-0 win, Inter parking the bus and absorbing their opponent’s brutal attacking side sent Inter through 3-2 on aggregate. They would go on to win the tournament, completing an extraordinary treble in the process.

For years, Paris Saint-Germain has shown hints of becoming a dominant force in the Champions League. Yet they kept falling short. But when they hammered Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of the round of 16, it looked like their time had come. However, in March 2017, Barça shocked the world in the second leg. The Spanish side tore the French team apart. After coming out in the second half with a 2-nil lead, Barcelona stepped up their game. The iconic MSN attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar all got on the scoresheet in this battle. In the end, Barcelona walked away 6-1 winners, and went through to the quarter-finals 6-5 on aggregate!

If there’s one fixture every season that rarely disappoints in entertainment, it’s Spain’s El Clásico. This historical rivalry has seen Real Madrid and Barcelona battle it out many, many times over the years. But one of their greatest battles took place in La Liga back in 2017. During the match, both sides were constantly on the attack, keeping fans engaged throughout. There was even one moment when Madrid’s Sergio Ramos received a red card for a reckless lunge. It looked as if the match was set to end in a 2-2 tie after a James Rodriguez strike in the 85th-minute of the match. But with Lionel Messi, you could never count Barcelona out. Such was the case when, deep into added time, with seconds left to play, the Argentine legend popped up and slotted home the winner.

Getting to the European Cup final in 1962, Benfica and Real Madrid were ruthless against their opponents. So, fans couldn’t wait to witness what they would do to each other and boy did it not disappoint. Puskás showed his immense talent by netting a first-half hat trick, giving the Spanish side a 3-2 lead at half-time. But in the second half, the Portuguese team took control. Mário Coluna quickly equalized with a long-range shot. Then, Eusébio stepped into the spotlight and slotted away a penalty before scoring again shortly after, and Benfica went on to win 5-3.

By the time the UEFA Cup final took place in 2001, Liverpool were considered the favorites based on their previous success. Meanwhile, Deportivo Alavés were labeled as underdogs as this was the first time they had qualified for a European competition. Liverpool kept taking the lead, yet Alavés wouldn’t let up. With the score 4-all in normal time, the Golden Goal rule came into effect, meaning the next finish wins. In the 116th minute, Spanish hearts were broken as Delfí Geli headed into his own net, giving Liverpool the 5-4 win.

To come out on top in the Premier League the first time since the 1967/68 season, all that Manchester City needed to do was match Manchester United’s result. But standing in their way was the Queens Park Rangers, who needed a point to guarantee survival from relegation. However, in the dying seconds of the match, City were 2-1 down, while United had won their match 1-nil. When all seemed lost, Edin Džeko equalized for Manchester City in the 92nd minute. Then, in the 94th minute, Sergio Agüero slotted in and perhaps created one of the most iconic commentator reactions by just yelling his name! Manchester was finally blue.

For the Champions League final in 2005, AC Milan had one of the best sides in the world. With Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Kaká, and Andriy Shevchenko, they were the clear favorites to beat Liverpool. The match didn’t disappoint, as Maldini and two strikes from Hernán Crespo gave them a 3-0 lead at half-time. But Liverpool came back on the attack, with captain Steven Gerrard scoring in the 54th minute, and goals by Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso made it 3-3 within 6 minutes! Even with Milan throwing everything at them, including forcing ‘keeper Jerzy Dudek to make a memorable double save from Shevchenko, the Scousers held on to take it to penalties.Amazingly, the comeback was complete as they won 3-2 on penalties!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

AS Adema vs. SO L’Emyrne, 2002
In a Record-Breaking Match, AS Adema Won 149-0 Due to SOE Protesting With Own Goals

Liverpool FC vs. Arsenal, 1989
On the Final Day of the Season, Arsenal Nipped Liverpool for the Title With a 2-0 Win

Manchester United vs. West Bromwich Albion, 2013
Sir Alex Ferguson’s Last Game as Manager Ended in Classic Fergie Style With a 5-5 Draw

Reading FC vs. Arsenal, 2012
Arsenal Came Back From Being 4-0 Down to Beat Reading 5-7 in the Football League Cup

Manchester United had an impressive season entering the 1999 Champions League final against Bayern Munich. After all, they’d won the League and the FA Cup. Now, they needed this trophy to complete the historic treble. But early into the match, Mario Basler put the German club ahead. United tried to fight back, but it looked dire as the seconds ticked down to full-time. But then, David Beckham’s corner had the ball to bounce around the box. It then fell to Teddy Sheringham, who directed it into the back of Oliver Kahn’s net! Two minutes later, Beckham’s corner was nodded in by Sheringham into the path of Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who knocked the ball through the roof of the net, securing the most dramatic comeback in history!


Which football match is your favorite? Let us know below!