Chapter 2 · Finals and deciders
Down at Half-Time, Up at the Whistle
Comebacks get remembered as single goals. They are never single goals. This chapter logs the scoreline at every turn, because the deficit is the story.
The comeback register
The Miracle of Istanbul
Before: Paolo Maldini volleyed Milan ahead in the first minute. Hernán Crespo added two before the break. At 3–0, Milan's side of Kaká, Shevchenko, Pirlo and Maldini looked finished with the job.
The moment: Steven Gerrard headed in on 54 minutes. Vladimír Šmicer scored from distance on 56. On 60, Dida saved Xabi Alonso's penalty and Alonso buried the rebound. In extra time, Jerzy Dudek made a double save from Shevchenko at point-blank range.
After: Dudek saved Andrea Pirlo's and Shevchenko's penalties. Liverpool's fifth European Cup let them keep the trophy permanently under the rules of the time.
Barcelona, stoppage time
Before: United were without Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, both suspended. Mario Basler's free kick put Bayern ahead after six minutes, and Bayern hit the post and the crossbar in the second half.
The moment: Teddy Sheringham equalised in the first minute of added time. Two minutes later, from another corner, Sheringham flicked on and Ole Gunnar Solskjær poked it into the roof of the net.
After: United completed the Treble: Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. Alex Ferguson was knighted weeks later.
Anfield '89
Before: The fixture had been postponed after the Hillsborough disaster in April. It became the last match of the First Division season, and Arsenal needed to win by two goals at a ground where they had not won in years.
The moment: Alan Smith headed in early in the second half. In injury time, Michael Thomas ran onto Smith's pass, the ball bounced off Steve Nicol, and Thomas flicked it over Bruce Grobbelaar.
After: Arsenal won the title on goals scored, level with Liverpool on points and goal difference.
Agüero, 93:20
Before: City were level on points with Manchester United but ahead on goal difference. Pablo Zabaleta scored before half-time; Djibril Cissé equalised; Joey Barton was sent off; Jamie Mackie put ten-man QPR 2–1 up. United won 1–0 at Sunderland.
The moment: Edin Džeko headed in at 90+2. Then Sergio Agüero exchanged passes with Mario Balotelli and shot past Paddy Kenny, with the clock at 93:20.
After: City's first top-flight title since 1968. Martin Tyler's commentary call became part of the clip.
La Remontada
Before: PSG won the first leg 4–0. Barcelona led 3–0 early in the second half, then Edinson Cavani's away goal meant Barcelona needed three more.
The moment: Neymar scored in the 88th minute and from the penalty spot in stoppage time. Sergi Roberto stretched to meet Neymar's chip at 90+5.
After: No side had overturned a four-goal first-leg deficit in Champions League knockout history before that night.
Corner taken quickly
Before: Barcelona had won 3–0 at the Camp Nou. Liverpool played without Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
The moment: Divock Origi scored early; Georginio Wijnaldum scored twice in two minutes after half-time. With 79 minutes gone, Trent Alexander-Arnold took a corner while Barcelona were still organising, and Origi swept it in.
After: Liverpool beat Tottenham 2–0 in the Madrid final for their sixth European Cup.
Behind the replay
What did Rafael Benítez change at half-time in Istanbul?
He replaced Steve Finnan with Dietmar Hamann and moved to a back three, freeing Gerrard to push forward. Hamann later took and scored a penalty in the shootout despite a broken foot.
Who was United's captain in the 1999 final?
Peter Schmeichel, standing in for the suspended Keane. It was his final game for the club, and he lifted the trophy.
Why is the 2012 timestamp debated?
Broadcast clocks and stadium clocks differ by seconds. 93:20 is the figure most widely used, including by the club.
Was Anfield 1989 played on a Friday?
Yes. It was rearranged to Friday 26 May 1989 and broadcast live, an unusual sight in English football at the time.
Next: the goals that changed the game, or log a comeback we missed.