Real Madrid Most Memorable Champions League Comebacks: Ranked

Real Madrid has established itself as one of the most dominant forces in European football. The club is known for its ability to execute stunning comebacks in the UEFA Champions League, showcasing its resilience and tenacity on the sport’s biggest stage.

Here are some of the most memorable comebacks by Los Blancos, ranked in recent history.

1. Manchester City, 2021/22

In the 2021/22 season, Real Madrid faced off against Manchester City in the semi-final. Although the game wasn’t a final, it may well be one of the greatest comebacks in Real Madrid’s history.

Down on aggregate heading into the final moments of the second leg, Rodrygo Goes scored twice within two minutes to shock City and take the game to extra time. Karim Benzema then scored the decisive goal to secure Real Madrid’s place in the final.

2. Paris Saint-Germain, 2021/22

In the round of 16 in the 2021/22 season, Real Madrid faced Paris Saint-Germain, a team boasting the superstar trio of Lionel Messi, Neymar, and Kylian Mbappe. PSG seemed poised to advance after leading 2-0 in the second half of the second leg.

However, Real Madrid was not about to give up. Karim Benzema took matters into his own hands, scoring a hat trick to complete a stunning turnaround and secure a 3-2 aggregate victory for Real Madrid.

3. Liverpool, 2022/23

Real Madrid faced Liverpool in the round of 16 in the 2022/23 season, and the match was highly anticipated. Despite being down 2-0 in the first half, Real Madrid mounted a comeback in the second half with heroics from Vinícius Jr. and Benzema, who scored a brace.

Real Madrid eventually won the first leg 5-2 and then secured a 1-0 victory in the second leg for an aggregate score of 6-2.

4. Bayern Munich, 2023/24

The semi-final second leg of the 2023/24 Champions League season saw Real Madrid up against Bayern Munich. With Manuel Neuer putting in a strong performance for Bayern and an early goal from Alphonso Davies, the odds seemed stacked against Madrid.

However, the Spanish giants were relentless and found their breakthrough late in the game. Joselu scored twice in the 88th and 91st minutes to turn the match on its head, securing Real Madrid’s victory and progression to the final.

These incredible comebacks highlight Real Madrid’s resilience, skill, and unshakable confidence when it comes to European football’s biggest stage.

Their ability to perform under pressure and turn games around is what makes them such a feared opponent and a beloved team for their passionate fans worldwide.

Real Madrid Champions League Streak

Real Madrid has achieved an incredible feat in the Champions League, winning eight consecutive finals. The chances of this happening are about 1 in 200, making this a truly rare accomplishment. This streak began in 1998 and has continued without interruption, turning what seems impossible into the norm.

The team’s consistent victories have left even the most skilled statisticians and sports analysts speechless. Normally, bookies are very good at predicting soccer matches, but Madrid’s run has been beyond their expectations.

If someone had bet on Real Madrid winning each of these finals, their money would have increased by 20 times. This streak showcases the team’s exceptional talent and resilience in European football’s biggest competition.

The Record Holders

Real Madrid holds the record for the most European Cup / UEFA Champions League triumphs, with 14, and the most La Liga titles, with 36.

Additionally, Real has won the Copa del Rey 20 times, the Supercopa de España 13 times, the Copa de la Liga once, the Copa Eva Duarte once, the UEFA Cup twice, the European/UEFA Super Cup five times, the Intercontinental Cup three times, the FIFA Club World Cup five times, the Latin Cup twice and Copa Iberoamericana once.

Powered by its fourteen European Cups, Real Madrid has the distinction of being the most successful club in terms of international titles, having amassed 32 pieces of silverware, more than any other team in the world.

The Legends of the Game

Real Madrid’s success is attributed to its legendary players. Cristiano Ronaldo, the club’s all-time leading goalscorer, scored 450 goals in 438 matches across all competitions. Raúl, the club’s record appearance maker, played 741 matches from 1994 to 2010.