10 most heartbreaking footballing moments this century

Bhargav
The 2014 World Cup produced some of the saddest footballing images of all time
The 2014 World Cup produced some of the saddest footballing images of all time

#8 Bayern Munich lose Champions League final at home (2012)

Bayern Munich fell short in the 2012 Champions League final at 'home'
Bayern Munich fell short in the 2012 Champions League final at 'home'

Bayern Munich were the team to beat as they played host to Chelsea - who had eliminated Barcelona in the semi-finals - in the 2012 Champions League final in Munich.

The trophy looked to be staying in Munich when Thomas Muller put Bayern ahead seven minutes from time. Chelsea captain Frank Lampard thought at the time: "This was it." But that was not it.

Didier Drogba scored with arguably Chelsea's first attempt of the night to force extra-time. However, Drogba almost turned from hero to villain, as he felled Franck Ribery in the box, and Arjen Robben stepped up to take the penalty.

Incredibly, Petr Cech saved the effort as the game went to penalties. Bayern had a third bite of the cherry when they led 3-2 after three penalties apiece.

But Ivica Olic fluffed his effort; Ashley Cole scored; Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the woodwork; Drogba stepped up to send Chelsea into delirium as they became the newest Champions League winners.

Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge would later use a tennis parlance to describe the match:

"We had three match points. First, when we were leading in the 83rd minute. Then, when we had a penalty in extra-time. And then again, when we were ahead after three penalties. Yet we didn't make it."

#9 Sergio Aguero nets dramatic winner to clinch the Premier League for Manchester City (2012)

Sergio Aguero sinks dramatic winner.
Sergio Aguero sinks dramatic winner.

Sergio Aguero is a bonafide Premier League legend. But he etched his name into Manchester City folklore long back - 2012, to be exact.

In the dying moments on the final day of the 2011-12 Premier League season, Manchester United needed to better City's result. With United beating Sunderland and City trailing QPR, a sequence of results played into Manchester United's hands.

Even after Edin Dzeko made it 2-2 for Manchester City in injury time, City needed another goal. Enter Sergio Aguero. After a one-two with Mario Balotelli, Aguero scored at the near post to seal City's first league win in 44 years, even as Manchester United could barely believe the unlikely turn of events.


#10 France lose the European Championship final at home (2016)

Portugal celebrate their Euro 2016 triumph in Paris.
Portugal celebrate their Euro 2016 triumph in Paris.

France were the favorites against Cristiano Ronaldo's Portugal in the Euro 2016 final in Paris.

The night turned from bad to worse for the 'visitors', as Cristiano Ronaldo hobbled off the pitch with an injury. The title was there to be won by France on home soil.

Yet profligate Les Bleus failed to score as the game went into extra-time. Enter super-sub Eder. The former Swansea City striker scored the most important goal of his life as Cristiano Ronaldo-less Portugal hung on to win their maiden European Championship.

Twelve years after he shed tears of disappointment after failing to win the European final at home, Cristiano Ronaldo let out tears of joy as he held aloft the Euro 2016 trophy for first-time winners Portugal.

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