The beautiful game of football has produced some seriously beautiful moments throughout the years. Some of the most unbelievable things have happened from extraordinary talent to downright audacity.
From comebacks to league titles, we are gonna have a look at some of the finest football moments in history.
Throughout the years there’s been some seriously special moments and it would be hard to mention them all, but I’ve narrowed it down with a fine-tooth comb to try and deliver you with the finest football moments in history.
We have tried to distill how much the moments meant to players and fans alike whilst also taking into consideration just how unique and spectacular each event has been in its given context.
Let's start with some seriously good comebacks. It takes us to 2011 St James’ Park. Newcastle United are taking on Arsenal in the premier league. After just 10 minutes Newcastle find themselves down 3-0 to the away side and 4-0 before halftime.
But after the break, things started to change. Arsenal went down to 10 men. Newcastle managed to get 3 back. Then in the 93rd minute, an equalizer.
Perhaps the most poignant part of this goal is the late Cheick Tiote was teed up on the edge of the box only to let loose a thumping volley into the bottom corner, leveling the game at 4-4 and becoming the only team to have ever overturned a 4-goal deficit and get points from the game.
Newcastle is not the only premier league team known for their comebacks, with Spurs pulling out a blistering performance against Man City in the Champions League to come back. But the real comeback kings of the league are Liverpool.
Twice they have now pulled out outrageously memorable moments in the Champions League to send them onto glory. The Miracle of Istanbul would be the first, as a deflated Liverpool went 3-0 down to AC Milan in the first half of the 2005 Champions League final.
It would take a momentous second-half effort to level things off before 90 minutes. The Liverpool team, captained by legend Steven Gerrard, would go on to win the game on penalties with the game widely regarded as the best final ever in the tournament.
Liverpool replicated just as momentous a comeback in the 2019 Semifinals of the Champions League. Following a dismal first leg, the team found themselves 3-0 down to Lionel Messi’s Barcelona.
Upon the return leg in Anfield, Liverpool would go on to win 4-0, and then onto win the trophy itself. Truly fine moments from the Reds. Comebacks are riveting and exciting, however, they are only one game. What about those sustaining form over a whole season?
Perhaps the best league result in history, certainly, in modern history, is Leicester City being crowned Premier League champions in the 2015-16 season.
A complete underdog who had risen through the leagues in previous years would go on to top the best league in the world with Jamie Vardy and Ranieri at the helm.
At 5000/1 a football betting man wouldn’t have fancied them and neither would have the tips for the game, but they managed to fight the odds and be crowned champions in a freak result that is regarded as one of the best sporting fairy tales ever.
The Premier league has had many crazy and good campaigns over the years but the Manchester City victory in 2012 over bitter rivals Manchester United would be the closest in recent history.
Following a final matchday whereby both teams were drawn on points, Man United would put the pressure on City with a win elsewhere. This would leave it up to City to win against QPR.
It would not be plain sailing however, with the team struggling into a 2-1 slog before Dzeko scored a 90+th minute equalizer. It would take to the last kick of the ball for Sergio Aguero to blast the ball and win the title at Etihad for the first time in 44 years.
Almost as memorable as the goal itself would be Martin Tyler's reactionary commentary. AGUUUUUEEEROO! Will be etched in everyone's brains who witnessed the madness unfold.
From the finest league campaigns to the best goals. It takes a team to win a game of football. This was shown no better than in the 1970 World Cup final where Carlos Alberto finished off one of the best pieces of play to have graced the game.
This goal was graceful, elegant and masterful, Brazil showed what Pele meant by Joga bonito in this one move alone. Pure art. Football is a team game, but for some goals, it takes just one special body to create the fine moments.
Van Basten for Holland in 1988 final would blast THAT volley past the Soviet Union to go on and win. Roberto Carlos would swing that physics-denying freekick round the wrong side of the wall against France in 1997.
Zidane would swivel his left boot to thump his famous volley into the top corner of the Hampden net in the 2002 Champions League final. But it would be the golden boy who would claim the best goal ever.
Not only did he produce the ‘hand of God’ in the same game, but in Argentina's World Cup quarter-final clash with England would see Diego Maradona score the "Goal of the Century."
Picking up the ball at the halfway line this magician would go on to skip past the whole of the English defense with ease. You just do not get tired of watching the goal, it has earned its rightful title.
League titles, finest goals and comebacks have shown how good football is for everyone around the world. But the sportsmanship and camaraderie of the game is something which appeals to everyone.
There have been numerous times throughout the years that this has been shown. None more poignant than the whole of the Bernabeu standing up to applaud rival Ronaldinho's 3rd goal in an el Classico game.
He was just that good in the game! Sportsmanship is sometimes lacking in the game and seemed to be far from at the forefront of hard man Di Canio's game. That is until West Ham played Everton in 2000.
Di Canio was on for a winning open goal chance before stopping completely and catching the ball as an opposition player was on the floor. It was a truly mental moment that will be remembered by many as a gentlemanlike gesture from the Italian. A great day for football.
Follow
