10 Best Moments from the 2013/14 Champions League Season

While the UEFA Champions League is over for another season, there have been many moments of brilliance that will stick in the minds of supporters for a long time.

Real Madrid wingers Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale have produced some golden moments in the prestigious competition en route to their Champions League triumph, while Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic has almost made it a personal mission to score goal-of-the-season contenders in any game he can in Europe.

There’s also the matter of some outstanding saves being made from goalkeepers to ensure their sides remain in the game, while some other unforgettable scenes need revisiting as well.

Here are 10 of the best moments that are sure to live long in the memory.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic Seals His Hat-Trick with Superb Volley Against Anderlecht

Paris Saint-Germain forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic scored four goals in a Champions League group game against Anderlecht in October, which PSG won 5-0, and his stunning volleyed effort completed his hat-trick.

Not many players would dare attempt to strike the ball on the bounce from such a distance, and even fewer would ripple the back of the net in emphatic fashion.

The Swedish international, 32, went on to score 10 goals in eight games in the Champions League last season.

Silvio Proto’s Crazy Night Against Olympiakos

Dean Mouhtaropoulos/Getty Images

Anderlecht goalkeeper Silvio Proto had a memorable night in the Champions League when his side travelled to Greece to face Olympiakos in December.

The 31-year-old saved two penalties and was one of three Anderlecht players sent off in a tempestuous game, which saw them lose 3-1 in the end.

Proto saved penalties from striker Javier Saviola and tricky winger Vladimir Weiss before giving away his second spot-kick of the game for a foul on Weiss, which saw him sent off for his troubles.

Anderlecht striker Aleksandar Mitrovic was forced to go in goal for Proto at the death.

Lewandowski Escapes Red and Scores Winner Against Arsenal

Borussia Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski was both the hero and villain against Arsenal in the Germans' Champions League group-stage victory back in September.

The Polish international, 25, was only booked after appearing to elbow Arsenal defender Laurent Koscielny, and the decision not to send him off proved pivotal, as the Dortmund striker scored the winning goal for the Bundesliga outfit with less than 10 minutes of normal time to go.

Lewandowski scored six goals in nine Champions League games in 2013/14.

Pastore’s Solo Goal Against Chelsea and Thiago Silva’s Celebration

Paris Saint-Germain midfielder Javier Pastore scored a beautiful solo goal against Chelsea just minutes after coming on as a substitute in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final.

While his goal was extraordinary, his team-mate’s celebration was even better. Defender Thiago Silva showed his delight at the goal by performing a boxing workout on the halfway line.

Mourinho Sprinting Down the Touchline Following Ba’s Goal in the Quarter-Final

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho rolled back the years with a legendary sprint down the touchline after striker Demba Ba scored a late goal to send Chelsea into the Champions League semi-final last season.

The 51-year-old raced down to where the players were celebrating near the corner flag to give instructions to his players to ensure they see the game out.

Ba proved to be a super-sub for Mourinho when he needed him the most in 2013/14, scoring three goals from six Champions League games— five of his appearances were from the bench.

Evra’s Goal Against Bayern Munich

The best goal of Manchester United defender Patrice Evra’s career, and one of the goals of the tournament, couldn’t have come at a better time.

United were level on aggregate against Bayern in the Champions League quarter-finals, but were on their way out of the tournament on away goals until the veteran defender popped up with a fantastic effort.

The long-serving left-back had only scored once in the Champions League for United prior to his volley against Bayern, but dared to believe in a major upset after putting the Red Devils in front in the quarter-final's second leg.

Unfortunately, United went on to lose the game 3-1, but it’s a moment Evra certainly won’t forget.

Diego Scores Unbelievable Opener Against Barcelona in the Semis

Atletico Madrid surprised everybody last season with their remarkable run to the La Liga title and Champions League final. They had many memorable moments throughout 2013/14, but Diego’s goal against Barcelona in the semi-final's first leg is surely the pick of the bunch.

It was the only goal the former Wolfsburg midfielder scored in Europe last season for Atletico, but it set them on their way to knock out the Catalan giants and reach the final.

Diego Simeone Praises Players' "Cojones" Following Barcelona Win in the Semis

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After besting Chelsea over two legs to reach the Champions League final, Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone praised the mothers of his players for giving them the "cojones" to put in such a gutsy performance in the semis.

His Atletico side beat the 2011/12 Champions League winners, who are now managed by two-time winner Jose Mourinho, over two legs, and that certainly takes a monumental effort.

"I would like to congratulate the mothers of these players, because they gave them big cojones to play like this," Simeone told reporters in his post-match interview.

Thibaut Courtois Performance Keeps out Chelsea in the Semis

Atletico Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois, who was on loan from Chelsea last season, put in a sterling performance against his parent club in the Champions League semi-final's second leg.

Courtois’ performance between the sticks even drew praise from Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho, who told reporters the goalkeeper made an "impossible save" to ensure of the Blues’ exit from the Champions League.

Ronaldo Wraps Up the Game with the 4th Goal in the Champions League Final

Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo put his name in the history books after scoring his club's fourth goal in extra time against Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final to end their 12-year wait for a 10th European cup (La Decima).

Ronaldo, 29, took his Champions League tally to 17 in 2013/14, while also having scored in all but one of the European games he’s played this season.

His celebration following his goal highlighted how much it meant to be a part of Real Madrid’s biggest night, especially considering it was his fifth year at the club since his £80 million arrival from Manchester United.

All videos taken from YouTube.

Statistics taken from WhoScored and Statto.