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Part of football's charm is the sheer unpredictability of the sport. It stands as the epitome of the concept of David and Goliath, albeit in real life. As such, every club aims to win titles as it is the trophies that satiate the desire of fans, (most) players and chairmen.
Some victories last longer in one's memory than others. This could be because of a long-range thunderbolt or a brilliant free-kick that secured the critical win or simply due to the sheer nostalgic value these moments hold.
We will try to rank the top five iconic title-clinching goals in football of the 21st century.
#5 Didier Drogba vs Manchester United (2007 FA Cup)
The FA Cup final of 2007 was a historic one. It was the first final held at the new Wembley stadium and saw the two best teams in England collide in what promised to be a cracker of a final, Alex Ferguson's Manchester United faced off against Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.
The match itself saw both sides fail to break the deadlock in normal time, with Petr Cech called into action on a couple of occasions to deny the dangerous Wayne Rooney. As penalties began to look more and more likely, Chelsea finally found a way through. Didier Drogba, as he so often does in Cup finals rose to the occasion and won it for Chelsea.
Drogba received the ball from John Obi Mikel, played a terrific one-two with Frank Lampard, flummoxing the Manchester United defenders, and then touched the ball past the onrushing Edwin Van der Sar and won Chelsea's fourth FA Cup.
#4 Gareth Bale vs Barcelona (2014 Copa Del Rey)
The El Clasico is one of the biggest games in world football. Add into the mix a cup final and you had the stage set for what was surely going to be a memorable night.
The venue was the Mestalla and the only disappointment going into the big game was that Real's talisman at that time, Cristiano Ronaldo, was injured.
The men from the capital started brighter as Jose Pinto got a hand to a left footed shot from Angel Di Maria, but couldn't keep it out.
Barcelona would have to wait till the 68th minute to equalise, when Marc Bartra headed in after a corner from Xavi.
With the game finely poised as we entered the last five minutes, it looked like extra time was inevitable... and then it happened-
Gareth Bale picked up the ball in his own half and sprinted up the field, down the left-hand side, leaving Bartra chasing shadows.
Despite the attempts to push him out of the field, Bale's pace was simply too much for Bartra, as the Welshman evaded further challenges, before finishing from inside the six-yard box. It was a truly outstanding goal, one that will live long in our memories.
#3 Andreas Iniesta vs Netherlands (2010 World Cup)
At their peak, the Spanish team seemed to be unbeatable. They held on to possession for almost the entire game and patiently waited to carve open the opposition by wearing them down and pouncing at the first sign of weakness.
Bolstered by the Barcelona trio of Xavi, Busquets and Iniesta, the Spaniards would clinch the 2010 World Cup final in addition to their Euro 2008 trophy.
The final itself was a tense affair as a tremendously aggressive Dutch team, led by the likes of Mark Van Bommel and Nigel De Jong battled against the dexterity that Spain brought.
In the end, Spain prevailed as Andres Iniesta scored the winner (and the only goal) in the 116th minute of the match, finally breaking the resistance of 10-man Netherlands.
The goal itself was created by Fabregas, who found Iniesta inside the box. After a touch that saw the ball bounce up, Iniesta showed some of his trademark composure to finish it in the far corner of the goal with precision.
#2 Sergio Aguero vs Queens Park Rangers (2011-12 Premier League)
It is one of the most iconic goals of the Premier League, up there with Wayne Rooney's overhead kick and Dennis Bergkamp's wonder goal against Newcastle among others.
One thing is for sure, the drama on the final day of the season is unlikely to be matched any time soon.
Going into the final round of fixtures, the two Manchester clubs were level on points, with City ahead on goal difference. United were away at Sunderland and duly picked up a 1-0 victory, while City proceeded to almost make a hash of things.
After Zabaleta put City ahead, QPR equalized through Djibril Cisse before former Manchester City player Joey Barton was sent off for elbowing Carlos Tevez. Despite being down to 10-men, QPR took the lead through Jamie Mackie and seemed to be cruising to victory before fate intervened.
First, Dzeko equalised in the 92nd minute and then Mario Balotelli set up City's talisman, Sergio Aguero to clinch the title in what was the perfect moment, one which also featured the perfect accompanying commentary i.e. Martin Tyler's " Agueroooooooooooooooo "
#1 Zinedine Zidane vs Bayer Leverkusen (2001-02 UEFA Champions League)
The 2002 season was the infamous " treble horror " season for Bayer Leverkusen as they finished second in the Bundesliga and as runners-up in the DFB Pokal and of course, the UEFA Champions League.
The scene was set in Glasgow for Leverkusen as they attempted to upset the odds against Spanish giants Real Madrid, who had won two of the past four titles.
The scoring was opened by Real's legendary No.7 (no not that one), Raul but Leverkusen bounced back as Brazilian defender Lucio headed in a 13th-minute equaliser past César.
Then, in the 45th minute, one of the greatest and most iconic goals in Champions League proceeded to unfold in front of disbelieving eyes.
Roberto Carlos put in a high, arching cross from the left, one that found its way to Zidane near the edge of the box, and the midfield maestro smashed in a beautiful left-footed volley into the top corner.
What do you think about our list? Sound off your opinions in the comments section below!
