The 20 Greatest Footballing Comebacks of All Time

Throughout the history of world football, there have been countless matches where teams have looked in complete charge of a situation, only to succumb to an unlikely comeback.

Such responses from sides who had previously looked on the verge of defeat have changed seasons and the fate of clubs and/or countries in the process.

Be they multiple-goal fightbacks in hostile waters, great late escapes when it was all on the line or just the downright bizarre collapse of a side who looked infallible, for a neutral, there's nothing quite like witnessing a side standing up and fighting when all hope seemed lost.

Therefore, here is an attempt at listing 20 of the greatest footballing comebacks across the globes down the year.

Unquestionably the list is far from perfect, with a number of great matches undoubtedly missed, while the order is purely subjective and just one man's opinion.

Let's take a look:

20. River Plate 5-4 Boca Juniors 1972

Perhaps the most exciting Superclasico ever, this game went one way and another before reaching its climax in a match best described as a game of three halves.

River Plate hurled themselves into the lead inside 60 seconds as Ernesto Mastrangelo turned home before Oscar Mas added a second on just nine minutes.

It was a fantastic start for Los Millonarios, but by the 51st minute it appeared as though it had all been for nothing as Boca Juniors provided a quite stunning comeback of their own.

After failing to score from the penalty spot, Hugo Curioni scored a flying volley, Ramon Ponce equalised from a free-kick and Boca went in at half-time (somehow) with a 3-2 lead as Ponce squeezed home a shot to wrong-foot the stationery Perez in the goal.

And six minutes after the break, Boca had their fourth, Osvaldo Potente netting for a 4-2 lead.

But just as River had thrown away a two-goal lead earlier in the day, that fate also fell on Boca and it took just 11 minutes.

Oscar Mas struck to make the score 4-3, despite Boca's defenders claiming it hadn't crossed the line, before Carlos Morete leveled the scores in the 62nd minute.

The whirlwind encounter calmed down and for the next 28 minutes neither side could force a breakthrough, going toe-to-toe like a pair of boxers unable to land a knockout blow.

Yet just as it seemed both sides would have to settle for a share of the spoils, a scramble in the final minute led to Morete—a specialist of Clasicos in the '70s scoring eight times—lashing home from close range to hand River a 5-4 victory.

19. Portugal 5-3 North Korea 1966

North Korea arrived in England in 1966 as great unknowns, but they made themselves a place in history with their group-stage victory over Italy—who were subjected to a flurry of tomatoes as they returned home.

In this quarter-final at Goodison Park, the Korean side appeared to have another shock on the cards as they raced into a three-goal lead against Portugal. Pak Esung Jin scored in the first minute, before Lee Dong Woon and Yang Seung Kook made it 3-0.

But then, seemingly woken up from the slumber, the Iberian nation came to life, led by their fantastic Benfica forward, Eusebio.

The Black Pearl took a grip on the game and almost single-handedly dragged his side into a semi-final clash with England, scoring four times to turn a 3-0 deficit into a 4-3 lead.

Jose Augusto would head home a fifth to seal victory for the Seleccao.

18. Tottenham Hotspur 3-5 Manchester United 2001

One of the most fantastic turnarounds of the Premier League era saw Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United endure a miserable first half against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, before mounting a quite astonishing second-half comeback.

Glenn Hoddle's side, playing a 3-5-2 formation, dominated United's more standard 4-4-2 during the first period, and the experienced strike pairing of Les Ferdinand and ex-United star Teddy Sheringham were a constant menace.

However, the opening goal after 15 minutes came from an unlikely source: £8 million debutant defender Dean Richards, who nodded home a Christian Ziege corner.

Soon after, a chipped pass from Gus Poyet found Ferdinand through on goal, and he coolly fired past Fabien Barthez to double the hosts advantage.

Spurs were playing champagne football, roared on by the home crowd, and before the break they had a third; Poyet, running amok in midfield, with an excellent right-wing cross that met the diving Ziege, the German international nodding home from six yards.

If ever there was time for Ferguson's infamous hairdryer, it was now, and it had the desired effect.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer came on as United moved to a front three, and within a minute of the restart, Andy Cole nodded a goal back. 3-1.

Attacking with greater pace and purpose, United continued to threaten and Laurent Blanc outjumped Ledley King to turn home from a corner. 3-2.

Suddenly, Spurs champagne football had lost its fizz and Ruud van Nistelrooy notched a third to level the scores, before Juan Sebastian Veron latched onto clever link up from Solskjaer and Scholes and drilled past Neil Sullivan.

And three minutes from time, the scoring was complete, David Beckham slamming past Sullivan to hand Ferguson's men a 5-3 victory.

17. Tranmere Rovers 4-3 Southampton 2001

At the turn of the Millennium, Tranmere Rovers were building quite the reputation as upstarts in domestic cup competitions, having knocked six Premier League sides out of either the FA or League Cup in the 18 months prior to Southampton's arrival on the Wirral.

John Aldridge's side, however, looked as though Glenn Hoddle's Saints would be a step too far, and by half-time, they found themselves three goals down.

Moroccan international Hassan Kachloul helped himself to two goals as well as teeing up Norwegian Jo Tessem in a magical opening 45 minutes. The Rovers defence had been truly ripped to pieces by the Moroccan's weavings.

At half-time, Aldridge brought on ex-Everton junior Stuart Barlow, and his pace and enthusiasm helped to bring about a recovery.

Paul Rideout deflected home an Andy Parkinson shot on 58 minutes for 3-1, before he headed home his second 13 minutes later for 3-2.

On 80 minutes, Rideout, whose 1995 FA Cup final goal gave Everton a 1-0 win over Manchester United, completed his hat-trick before substitute Barlow made it 4-3 in the closing moments to set up a last-eight clash with local powerhouse Liverpool.

16. Newcastle United 4-4 Arsenal 2011

With just 19 minutes on the clock, Newcastle supporters could be all but forgiven for turning their back on this match, leaving St. James' Park and heading to the pub.

Theo Walcott opened the scoring after 44 seconds, before Johan Djourou and Robin van Persie (2) pressed home the Gunners superiority; a mixture of excellent attacking play and utterly dreadful defending having hung the Toon Army out to dry.

However, in the second period, Wenger's men imploded, beginning in the 50th minute with French international midfielder Abou Diaby.

A 50-50 challenge with Joey Barton saw Diaby lose his composure, before grabbing the Newcastle midfielder around the neck and shoving him to the floor, before shoving Kevin Nolan also, and Diaby was subsequently shown red by referee Phil Dowd.

Minutes later, an apparently re-energized home side struck back, as Barton netted from the penalty spot after Laurent Koscielny brought down Leon Best, before Best himself made it 4-2 firing past Wojciech Szczesny from eight yards.

With the Gallowgate end now roaring the Magpies on and Koscielny having an absolute nightmare in the Arsenal defence, Barton soon scored his second penalty, Koscielny having fouled Mike Williamson.

And then late in the day, as the Magpies threw men forward, Cheick Tiote, cracked home a 20-yard left-foot volley as Arsenal failed to clear a free-kick to send the home crowd into delirium.

15. Tottenham Hotspur 3-4 Manchester City 2004

Three years after Tottenham Hotspur let slip a three-goal lead against the red half of Manchester in the Premier League, they repeated the trick against the blue half in their 2004 FA Cup fifth-round clash at White Hart Lane.

Kevin Keegan's Manchester City, very much the Premier League's Jekyll and Hyde team of the time, showed inside 90 minutes exactly why they were such a roller-coaster ride for their supporters.

Just two minutes were on the clock when Ledley King smashed a scorcher from 20 yards past City's debutant keeper Arni Arnason.

In the 19th minute, Robbie Keane doubled the home side's advantage with an exquisite left-footed dink, while Christian Ziege's free-kick on the stroke of half-time made it 3-0.

If that wasn't bad enough for Keegan's side, Joey Barton was sent off for dissent during the interval, while talismanic striker Nicolas Anelka had been taken off injured during the first half, replaced by Jon Macken.

Yet in the second period, 10-man City, with nothing expected of them, seemingly set about expressing themselves and decided to have a go at their hosts.

Three minutes into the half, Sylvain Distin headed home a Michael Tarnat free-kick for 3-1, before Paul Bosvelt pulled a second back soon after, helped by a massive deflection from Anthony Gardner.

Spurs themselves continued to attack, and Arnason made a breathtaking double save to keep the away side in it. In the 80th minute, Shaun Wright-Phillips beat Kasey Keller for the equaliser.

And with just seconds remaining a Tarnat cross found Macken, whose looped header landed in the back of the net, handing the 10 men an astonishing 4-3 victory.

14. Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan 2004 (Depor Win 5-4 on Aggregate)

Deportivo La Coruna's Champions League ambitions were all but written off after a 4-1 quarter-final first-leg defeat in the San Siro against AC Milan, only for a powerful first-half fightback at the Riazor to wipe out Carlo Ancelotti's side's three-goal advantage.

Irureta's men came out like a hurricane and El Rifle, Walter Pandiani, fired a goal back in the opening five minutes, driving low past Dida.

They continued to press, but for 30 minutes the Rossoneri stood firm. However, on 35 minutes the languid Spanish playmaker Juan Carlos Valeron headed a second.

Firmly in the ascendancy, Albert Luque picked up on an Alessandro Nesta mistake, before powering past Cafu and driving into the roof of the net. 3-0 and Super Depor had the lead.

The final act was left to club skipper Fran, who volleyed past Dida with the help of a deflection, sealing Depor's progress into the semi-final.

13. Real Madrid 4-0 Borussia Monchengladbach 1985 (5-5 Agg RM Win on Away Goals)

A 5-1 first-leg destruction in Germany had seemingly put Gladbach into the next round at the expense of Real Madrid, and the holders seemed to be on the precipice of being knocked out.

However, in wins against Anderlecht and Inter Milan the previous year, the Spanish club had shown their penchant for coming from behind and once again they would fight back and emerge unscathed.

In front of almost 100,000 at the Santiago Bernabeu, the escapologists got off to a terrific start, with Jorge Valdano scoring twice in the opening 20 minutes to reduce the arrears.

Gladbach were rocking in front of a raucous crowd, but as time moved on, the home side couldn't press home their territorial advantage. With 15 minutes remaining, they still required two more goals.

But in the 78th minute, skipper Carlos Santillana cracked a low volley to make the score 3-0 on the night and offer renewed hope and encourage Real to make one final push.

For 12 minutes, the German defence held firm as the home support urged their side for more, and in the 90th minute, the fightback was complete.

A long throw from the left was flicked on, where an edge of the area was beaten away by the Gladbach keeper. However, first to the rebound was Santillana, and the No. 9 toe-poked into the back of the net to give Madrid a 4-0 victory and passage into the fourth round.

Los Blancos would go on to retain their trophy, beating another German side, Koeln, in the final and in doing so becoming the first club to win back-to-back UEFA Cups.

12. Turkey 3-2 Czech Republic 2008

As group A at the 2008 European Championships moved into its final group matches, Portugal had assured their place as group winners, while pointless Switzerland couldn't qualify.

With Turkey and Czech Republic squaring off in Geneva, it was a case of winner takes all, and in the end, fortune favoured the brave.

Turkey had only won their previous match (against Switzerland in farcical wet conditions) thanks to a 93rd minute Arda Turan winner and Fatih Terim's side would show a similar never-say-die attitude here.

However, the Czechs made the brighter start, and though they weren't the same excellent side of four years previous, the lanky focal point of Jan Koller remained, and he gave the Turkish defence problems from the outset.

Indeed, it was Koller who headed the game's opening goal in the 34th minute, meeting Zdenek Grygera's cross with his 55th international goal in his 90th international appearance.

The second half saw the game even out slightly and the two sides traded attacks, and while Turkey started to knock on the door of a way back—helped by Terim's attack-minded changes—they couldn't find a way past Petr Cech.

And having failed to find an equaliser, they were hit by a sucker punch as another right-wing cross, this time from Libor Sionko, was met by the sliding Jaroslav Plasil to make it 2-0.

However, rather than dampen the Turkish fire, it seemed to only strengthen their attacking determination, and after Jan Polak had hit the post for Karel Bruckner's side, Arda beat Cech at his near post.

If that goal was possibly a goalkeeping error, then Turkey's equaliser, in the 87th minute, certainly was.

A routine cross that should have been easy for the Chelsea stopper to claim was dropped, straight at the feet of Nihat, who gleefully gobbled up the chance.

The scores were level, and Turkey had only one thing in their mind: attack and win.

And within two minutes of their equaliser, they had their decisive moment.

Hamit Altintop strode through midfield before sliding a reverse pass into the feet of Nihat, who having broken the Czech's offside trap, fired a cold, calculated finish high past an onrushing Cech, booking Turkey's place in the quarter-finals.

There was still time for madcap keeper Demirel Volkan to get himself sent off for a shove on Koller, meaning forward Sanli Tuncay had to end the game in goal, but in the end, Terim's sides enthusiasm and personality made them worthy of their fantastic comeback.

Extended highlights via Vimeo: Here.

11. West Germany 3-2 England 1970

Having met in the final of the 1966 World Cup, England and Germany would do battle in the quarter-final of the 1970 incarnation in the searing Mexican heat.

England, led by World Cup-winning captain Bobby Moore, looked to be comfortable when a first-half goal from Alan Mullery was added to by Martin Peters early in the second half. Even with goalkeeper Gordon Banks missing through food poisoning, they looked to be heading through.

Yet, with just 20 minutes, England boss Sir Alf Ramsey decided to replace Bobby Charlton—the England midfielder who had been going toe-to-toe throughout with Franz Beckenbauer—as he looked to rest the Manchester United man for a potential semi-final and to add fresh legs to the Three Lions midfield.

However, rather than shut down the match, the move only helped Die Mannschaft take a greater foothold on the game, and the legendary Beckenbauer came to the fore and started to dictate proceedings.

A long range daisy-cutter from Der Kaiser slipped under stand-in England keeper Peter Bonetti to reduce the arrears in the 68th minute. Germany started to press, while the world champions begun to wilt in the heat.

Uwe Seeler found the net eight minutes from time with a looping header, and in extra time, there was only ever going to be one winner.

Duly, during the added period, that goal arrived with a close-range volley from the most masterful poacher of the time, Gerd Mueller, handing Germany victory.

10. Barcelona 1-4 Metz 1984 (Metz Win 6-5 on Aggregate)

According to legend, as reported by the Guardian, at the end of the first leg, Barcelona midfielder Bernd Schuster said that he'd "give the Metz players some ham when they come to our place to thank them for the presents that they give us tonight" following the Spaniards' 4-2 win in the first leg of their European Cup Winners Cup, first-round tie.

Thus, Metz needed a miracle in Catalunya.

And that miracle appeared even less likely as Francisco Carrasco put Los Cules in front after 33 minutes of the second leg, giving the Spanish side a 5-2 aggregate lead. Metz's Ben Nevis had turned into Kilimanjaro.

However, a quick-fire double, firstly from Zvonko Kurbos and a minute later from an own goal by Jose Sanchez, diverting a Kurbos cross into his own net, gave the French side a 2-1 lead on the night.

Ten minutes into the second period, Kurbos latched on to a through ball and clipped it over the keeper to make it 5-5 on aggregate, but Barca still led on away goals.

And five minutes from time, Kurbos slammed home from 12 yards, completing his hat-trick and giving Metz a 6-5 aggregate victory.

As Kurbos' goal hit the net and French celebrations begun, Metz keeper Michel Ettore ran says: "I ran straight up to Schuster and bawled: 'Where's your ham now?'"

9. Bayern Munich 6-5 Bochum 1976

via Bleacher Report's Andrew Jordan November 2009

Fresh from being crowned European champions for the third year in succession, Bayern Munich travelled to the Ruhrstadion in Bochum in September 1976, where one of the greatest matches in the history of the German Bundesliga awaited them.

At half-time, Bochum were three goals to the good, Harry Ellbracht (2) and Josef Kaczor—with a brilliant individual effort—doing the damage.

Before any turnaround could begin in the second period, however, Sepp Maier was beaten for the fourth time, Hans Pochstein netting.

And that should have been all, but Die Bayern were in no mood to go down without a fight and immediately set about the greatest comeback the Bundesliga has seen.

Two minutes after Pochstein's goal, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge found space and scored, before Georg Schwarzenbeck added a second almost immediately.

With hope renewed a Gerd Mueller double made it 4-4 with 15 minutes still left to play, and a minute after Mueller's second, Uli Hoeness made it 5-4.

Unbelievable, but it wasn't over. In the 80th minute, Holger Trimhold restored parity—5-5—before Hoeness notched with just one minute left, to secure Die Roten the most improbable of wins.

8. Germany 4-4 Sweden 2012

Having flattered only to deceive with a semi-final defeat to Italy at Euro 2012, Jogi Loew's Germany went into qualifying for the 2014 World Cup as one of the favourites from Europe, not merely to qualify, but to head to Brazil and win the entire thing.

Qualification is, of course, now done. Germany eased into the finals, winning their group at a canter, but there remains one result which lives in the memory: Germany 4-4 Sweden.

It had all appeared so routine for Die Mannschaft in Berlin's Olympic Stadium: Miroslav Klose fired into the roof of the net early on to give them a lead, which was added to by Klose himself and Per Mertesacker before half-time.

And the Germans looked as though they would continue their romp to three points in the second period, as Mesut Ozil drove them four goals in front.

However, then something strange happened: The German machine shut down, and a Swedish side best labeled workmanlike (plus Zlatan) launched an astonishing comeback.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic headed a Kim Kallstrom cross past Manuel Neuer. 4-1.

Minutes later, right-back Mikael Lustig fired past a weak attempt at a save from Neuer. 4-2.

With just under 15 minutes left on the clock, Johan Elmander slid home. 4-3.

And just as time appeared to be up, and Sweden's valiant effort had been for nothing, in the 93rd minute, Erik Hamren's side had the most unlikely of points; Rasmus Elm, the Swedish midfielder, drove low into the corner of Neuer's net from 15 yards to level the scores with virtually the last kick of the game.

Sheer and utter madness.

7. West Germany 3-2 Hungary 1954

Having hammered a largely second-string German XI, 8-3, during the group stage of the 1954 World Cup, the Magical Magyars, featuring Ferenc Puskas (though barely half fit), Sandor Kocsis and Nando Hidegkuti were much-fancied to do likewise to a full-strength Germany in the final.

And when the reigning Olympic champions were two goals to the good in the opening eight minutes, thanks to Puskas and Czibor, it seemed as though they would be adding the world title to their list of achievements.

However, this match hasn't gone down as the Miracle of Bern for nothing, and Sepp Herberger's side weren't behind for long against a side currently in the midst of a 31-match unbeaten streak.

Within two minutes of Czibor putting Hungary 2-0 in front, Max Morlock had halved the deficit and with just 18 minutes on the clock, the Rot-Weiss Essen striker Helmut Rahn made it 2-2.

That score remained until the latter stages of the game, both sides pushing for a third goal but unable to find it.

However, with six minutes remaining, Rahn scored his second of the game and the decisive third which would hand Germany the Jules Rimet trophy at the expense of the Gustav Sebes' side, despite Puskas having the ball in the net once more (it was disallowed for offside).

6. Juventus 2-3 Manchester United 1999 (United Win 4-3 on Aggregate)

In the second leg of the 1999 Champions League semifinal, Manchester United headed to the Stadio delle Alpi in Turin to face Carlo Ancelotti's Juventus.

In the first leg, Juve pinched an away goal and claimed a more-than-positive 1-1 draw as they sought to reach a fourth consecutive European Cup final.

And having started as favourites to do just that, they didn't take long to seemingly cement their place in the final as two Pippo Inzaghi goals in the opening 11 minutes handed the Bianconeri a seemingly impenetrable 3-1 aggregate lead.

Nonetheless, a United side who would be characterised by their never-say-die attitude would be in front just 23 minutes later.

Firstly skipper Roy Keane—in arguably the defining performance of his career—was first to a 24th minute corner and headed past Angelo Peruzzi; minutes later Keane, going toe-to-toe with French World Cup winner Zinedine Zidane, would be booked, meaning he would miss the final.

However, the Irishman's rugged determination drove on United, and in the 34th minute, Andy Cole's centre from the right was met by strike partner Dwight Yorke, who turned past Peruzzi.

With United now in front via away goals, but showing no inclination to merely sit on their lead, the two behemoths went back and forth, looking to land a potential knockout blow.

And late in the day, as Juve threw men forward, they were caught on the break as Yorke ran clear; the Trinidad and Tobago striker would be brought down by Peruzzi, but the ball ran kindly for Cole who tapped into an empty net, putting United into the final in Barcelona and condemning Juve to defeat.

5. AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool 2005 (Liverpool Won 3-2 on Penalties)

Rafa Benitez had led Liverpool to the final in Istanbul, to take on an AC Milan side who were heavy favourites to claim a seventh European Cup.

Carlo Ancelotti's teamsheet read like a who's who of serial winners, with the likes of Brazilian World Cup-winning captain Cafu, the legendary Paolo Maldini, Andrea Pirlo, Clarence Seedorf, Andriy Shevchenko, Hernan Crespo and Kaka all in attendance. For a Liverpool side including Djimi Traore, Harry Kewell, Steve Finnan and Milan Baros, from the outset it appeared that to win was going to require something special.

And duly, the evening went horribly pretty much straight from kick-off for the English side: Maldini scored inside a minute, Kaka ran amok in midfield and Hernan Crespo helped to two goals in the final six minutes of the first half as the Rossoneri raced into a 3-0 lead.

Liverpool needed a miracle.

At half-time, German international Dietmar Hamann was thrown on in an attempt to negate Kaka and Liverpool set about turning the match on its head.

And in six second-half minutes, they did just that. Six minutes when Milan appeared powerless and six minutes when fortune and destiny pointed in the Reds direction.

Steven Gerrard nodded past Dida for 3-1, before a speculative Vladimir Smicer effort found the bottom corner for 3-2.

Just before the hour mark, Gennaro Gattuso tripped an onrushing Gerrard in the penalty area, and although Dida saved Xabi Alonso's penalty, the Spanish midfielder reacted quickest to score the rebound.
Djimi Traore would clear a Shevchenko shot off the line before the 90 minutes were up, and in extra time, Shevchenko was denied a winner by the most incredible double save from Dudek.

Sometimes it just isn't your night. And this wasn't Shevchenko's.

With the score 3-2 to Liverpool on penalties, Shevchenko took Milan's fifth and final penalty. His unconvincing stab down the middle was saved by Dudek, to spark raucous scenes of celebration among the Liverpool supporters inside the Ataturk Stadium and to complete one of the most surprising comebacks in European Cup history.

4. Bayern Munich 1-2 Manchester United 1999

Arguably the most dramatic ending to a major final world football has ever seen.

For 90 minutes, the European Cup looked as though it would deservedly be heading to Bavaria.
United, minus Paul Scholes and skipper Roy Keane, the latter so inspirational in their semi-final win in Turin, had battled determinedly, but on the day simply hadn't been good enough against Bayern Munich.

Mario Basler's early free-kick had handed the German side the lead, and from then on, they had sought to extend their lead, but somehow—more through luck than judgment—the English champions hung in there. Carsten Jancker and Basler both hit the woodwork, the game remained 1-0.

However, while football matches remain 1-0, the side trailing always has a chance. In injury time, as they continued fighting and looking for a way back, United won a corner.

Partially cleared, it fell to Ryan Giggs on the edge of the penalty area whose shot trickled goalward and was redirected into the net by Teddy Sheringham, who leveled the scores.

With that, Bayern were shattered—drained emotionally—while United appeared reinvigorated and immediately forced another corner.

And from there, David Beckham crossed, Sheringham flicked on and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer toed into the roof of the net, to hand Sir Alex Ferguson his first Champions League crown.

"Football, bloodyhell."—Sir Alex Ferguson.

3. Charlton Athletic 7-6 Huddersfield Town 1957

via Andrew Jordan Bleacher Report November 2009

On December 21, 1957, Charlton Athletic hosted Huddersfield United in a Division II clash, and fans at the Valley could barely believe what they were about to witness.

In the days before substitutes, the Addicks were down to 10 men just 17 minutes in when Derek Ufton suffered a badly dislocated shoulder and couldn't continue.

By half-time, Huddersfield, under the stewardship of a certain Bill Shankly, were making their numerical advantage count, having taken a 2-0 lead through inside left Les Massie and Alex Bain.

The second period saw Charlton winger Jimmy Summers threaten a comeback by halving the deficit, but the Terriers quickly tore into their hosts again and, with under 30 minutes left, held a resounding 5-1 lead.

However, what transpired next has ensured this game goes down in the annuls of history.

Quick-fire goals from Johnny Ryan, teed up by Summers, and Summers himself gave the home side a sniff of hope. With momentum in their favour, and their visitors seemingly bemused, Charlton went for the jugular.

On 73 minutes, Summers smashed home the Addicks fourth, completing his hat-trick, and just moments later he had his fourth, tying the game at five apiece with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Having seemingly forgotten that they were competing with a man less, Charlton continued to press and with nine minutes remaining Summers rammed home his fifth goal to put Charlton 6-5 in front.

However, as delirium no doubt engulfed the Valley, Shankly's side levelled to make it 6-6 with just four minutes remaining, a deflected Stan Howard shot squirming into the back of the net.

But Charlton, having fought so hard, weren't about to settle. In the 89th minute, Summers stormed down the wing, before whipping a sumptuous cross for Ryan to score making it 7-6 to the hosts with virtually the last kick of the game.

Cue pitch invasions, crowds carrying players off the pitch and not a Gazprom advert in sight.

Almost enough to bring a tear to your eye.

2. Angola 4-4 Mali 2010

The 2010 Africa Cup of Nations took place in Angola, and the hosts kicked off their tournament in the most dramatic of fashions: with one of world football's most unbelievable late collapses.

The opening match and first game at the 11 November Stadium saw an opening 36 minutes of pretty much nothingness.

However, that was swiftly forgotten, especially for the raucous home support, as Angolan striker Flavio notched a pair of headers prior to the half-time whistle.

After the break, the Angolan side continued to dominate, and they pressed home their advantage with two penalties in seven second-half minutes.

Gilberto slotted home the first on 67 minutes before former Manchester United striker Manucho appeared to put the final nail in the Malian coffin with a fourth goal in the 74th minute.

However, with that, the hosts appeared to have thought that it was a case of job done.

"This draw tasted like a defeat to me, this is one of the most bitter pills I've ever had to swallow in all the matches of my long career," said Manuel Jose, the Palancas Negras' boss, via Stephen Fottrell of BBC Sport.

Having been so full of purpose, the Angolans slacked off and handed time and space to the Malians. Mali skipper Seydou Keita, a European Cup winner with Barcelona, bundled home with 11 minutes remaining what looked nothing more than a consolation.

And as the match ended its last two minutes, it appeared that it would end with a 4-1 scoreline.

But that was before Mali striker Freddy Kanoute decided to bring himself to the party and, having looked anonymous for the most part, thundered a tremendous 15-yard header past the Angolan keeper.

In the 93rd minute, a Malian set piece was tossed into the penalty area, and with Angolan defenders nowhere to be seen, Keita volleyed home his second.

Straight from kick-off Angola gifted possession back to their visitors, and the Malians fired over another cross from a deep position.

Again the Angolan back line couldn't deal with it, and though Fernandes Alberto made a fine save, Mustapha Yatabare was first to the rebound, leaving the hosts completely shell shocked.

1.Bayer Uerdingen 7-3 Dynamo Dresden 1986 (Bayer Uerdingen Win 7-5 on Aggregate)

In the 1986 European Cup Winners Cup quarter-finals, East German giants Dynamo Dresden were paired with Bayer Uerdingen, a club whose history had mostly been spent in the lower leagues until they found backing from chemical giant Bayer in the early 1980s.

The Eastern side were expected to progress against the Western underdogs, and they took charge of the tie with a 2-0 first leg victory.

The second leg started as the first had ended, with Dresden in the ascendancy, and by half-time, Dynamo led 3-1 on the night and 5-1 on aggregate.

The tie appeared to be all but over, with the Eastern giants in dominant mood, but the final 45 minutes would provide one of the greatest comebacks European club football has ever seen.

Uerdingen got a goal back on the hour mark through a Wolfgang Funkel penalty, and moments later Ralf Minge put through his own net. 3-3 on the night, but Dynamo still had a 5-3 lead.

Yet suddenly, the East German side had lost all composure, couldn't clear their lines and defensively appeared all at sea. Uerdingen, attacked with gusto.

The 68th minute saw Wolfgang Schaefer fly down the right before lobbing over substitute keeper Jens Ramme for 4-3, before Dietmar Klinger fired home from distance 10 minutes later. Suddenly, Uerdingen led 5-3 on the night and were only behind on away goals.

However, it now appeared a matter of whether they would score again before time ran out, as Dynamo appeared completely shot mentally and couldn't put any kind of passing move together.

Throwing men forward and applying as much pressure as possible, Uerdingen threw men forward and Funkel netted his third of the night—again from the penalty spot—to put the home side 6-5 up on aggregate.

And with five minutes to go, the hosts made the game safe, with their seventh on the night—7-3 on the night, 7-5 on aggregate, a quite stunning comeback.

So let us know your views on matches that should have been included or those which are perhaps deserving of a higher/lower ranking.

Let us know in the comments, or tweet either myself @AA_Richards or Bleacher Report's footballing department @br_football with your thoughts or reasoning.