'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
The UEFA Champions League is the most decorated trophy in European club football. This is why you see most of the biggest clubs on the continent fighting for the chance to lay their hands on it every season.
The tournament has been producing moments of entertainment for the past few years as European power-horses lock horns in fantastic battles and deliver entertainment in it's purest form. Incredible goals, electrifying dribbles, brilliant touches and magical skills, the Champions League has never ceased to thrill football fans for a single moment.
Just like the previous years, the Champions League has lived up to its expectations this season by producing yet another set of incredible games that stole the attention of football fans. Let us look at the top-5 most entertaining matches the tournament has produced this season:
Trending
#5 Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (01/05/2018)
On their way to claiming the Champions League trophy for a third consecutive year, Real Madrid faced a very big challenge in the semi-finals. The defending champions were paired with the German club, Bayern Munich to compete for a place in the final of the tournament.
Fortunately, Los Blancos were able to get a vital away victory as they narrowly defeated the Bavarians 2-1 at the Allianz Stadium. Joshua Kimmich scored for the home side while Marcelo and Marco Asensio both saw the back of the net in an intense encounter.
The second leg that took place at the Santigo Bernabeu got football fans elated as they watched one of the most entertaining matches of the season. Joshua Kimmich wasted no time to get on the scoresheet again as he put his team ahead in the 3rd minute of the game. The German International scored a close-range effort early in the match after Sergio Ramos failed to clear a Thomas Muller cross in the box.
Real Madrid responded quickly, with Karim Benzema scoring a nice header in the 11th minute. After receiving a brilliant cross from Marcelo, the striker nodded home from close-range to secure a 1-1 draw for Los Blancos in the first half.
Shortly after the restart, Real Madrid scored another goal to get ahead of their fierce opponents. It was Karim Benzema who was at the center of things again. Corentin Tolisso sent an inaccurate pass to Ulreich which the keeper failed to handle, allowing a sprinting Benzema to score in an empty net.
The game became more interesting as time wore on. Bayern, needing 2 goals to qualify attacked fiercely and came close on a number of occasions. The Bavarians controlled the possession and threatened the Madrid defenders several times. Real Madrid, on the other hand, were calm and composed, waiting for the chance to further destroy their opponents. (though it never came).
After a lot of attacking work, Bayern got the equalizer in the 63rd minute. Real Madrid loanee, James Rodriguez put his team back into the tie by beating Keylor Navas with a low shot from the right side of the box. The Bavarians needed only one goal to qualify. But despite throwing plenty bodies up front in the closing stages, they failed to get winning goal, therefore Los Blancos made it to the final of the tournament one more time.
However, Bayern was the better team in the tie as they dominated the possession and attacked fiercely but a little mistake cost them their deserved victory.
#4 Liverpool vs Manchester City (04/04/2018)
After few years, two English teams finally made it to the quarter-finals of the UEFA Champions League. Liverpool FC and Manchester City progressed to this stage, thanks to their brilliant level of performance in the tournament this season. However, it was quite unfortunate as the two sides were drawn against each other for a place in the semi-final.
The first leg which took place at the Anfield produced a great tactical battle between two of the finest coaches from the Premier League. Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp went head-to-head in what proved to be the biggest showdown between these managers this season.
The world witnessed one of the most entertaining attacking displays in recent years when these two teams faced each other in this fascinating match. The Reds got us underway attacking aggressively and pressing intensely in the opening stages of the game.
Manchester City could not cope with the intensity and brilliance of their opponents, therefore they conceded an early goal in the 12th minute. Roberto Firmino sent a powerful shot towards City's goal which Ederson pushed to the ground. But, the ball fell to Mohamed Salah and the Egyptian slotted home from close range.
Liverpool continued with their flawless display, expanding the field and pressing high on their rivals. Soon, The Reds doubled their lead when Alex Oxlade Chamberlain, after receiving a pass from James Milner, advanced few steps and unleashed a ferocious shot to beat Ederson from 20 yards.
It was just like a dream when Manchester City conceded their third goal on that night. Mohamed Salah was involved again. The Egyptian held on to the ball and sent a perfect cross into the box for Sadio Mane. The Senegalese rose higher than everyone and nodded the ball into the back of the net to give Liverpool a convincing 3-0 lead into the half-time.
In the second half, the Citizens became desperate as they aimed to get back into the tie. David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne kept penetrating the Liverpool defense with their amazing movement and incisive passing. City were dominating like never before and even came close to scoring on a number of occasions. However, they failed to get a goal and the match ended 3-0 for The Reds.
#3 Real Madrid vs Paris Saint Germain (14/02/2018)
It was the most anticipated Champions League match of the season. Neymar-led Paris Saint Germain faced Ronaldo-led Real Madrid in the Round 16 of the European tournament this season. The Parisians announced themselves on the big stage in fantastic fashion, topping their group and defeating a European elite club, Bayern Munich in the group stages.
PSG, after their heavy investments in the summer, were expected to progress into the quarter-finals of the competition. Real Madrid also had everything to play for. With the La Liga out of hands and the Copa Del Rey dream is far gone, the Champions League represented their only hope of claiming silverware this season. Therefore the tie became an all-out war between the two European giants.
The game began with an awesome pace as both teams embarked on an entertaining journey. The Parisians were the first to score. After a counterattack down the right flank, Neymar flicked the ball to Adrien Rabbiot who gently sent it straight into the net.
With half-time looming, Le Celso brought down Toni Kroos in the box to grant Los Blancos a vital penalty. Cristiano Ronaldo converted the spot kick with a thunderous shot and leveled things up before the break.
The second half began with so much entertainment as Neymar continued dazzling on the left flank, with his electrifying dribbles and amazing runs. Kylian Mbappe was a real threat, with his pace proving difficult to handle especially on the counter attacks. Ronaldo was penetrating into the box and Marco Asensio changed the pace of the game after his cameo. It was such a fantastic and entertaining game at the Santiago Bernabeu.
In the closing stages, Ronaldo put Los Blancos ahead with a close-range effort before Marcelo scored the final goal of the match with the help of a slight deflection. Los Blancos claimed a vital 3-1 victory in the Spanish capital.
#2 Chelsea vs Barcelona (20/02/2018)
In one of the most intense clashes in the Champions League this season, Chelsea and Barcelona faced each other in the Round of 16. That was the 13th time that the two teams met in this competition. In their last meeting, The Blues came out on top, defeating the Blaugrana 3-2 on aggregate.
However, Chelsea endured a very poor form ahead of this fixture, suffering two straight losses in the Premier League while Barcelona remained unbeaten in La Liga. This made many to feel that the game would be an easy ride for Barca.
But, to everyone's surprise, The Blues delivered one of their best performances of the season and almost claimed a famous victory at the Stamford Bridge. They shocked everybody with their amazing display as they worked hard together to keep the Catalans at bay.
Willian was the hero of the match, threatening Barcelona on the counter attacks several times. He was so unfortunate to hit the woodwork twice in the first half. Kante was marking the hell out of Lionel Messi and Andres Iniesta while Cesar Azpilicueta and Anthonio Rudiger were rock-solid at the back.
Even though Barcelona dominated the possession, Chelsea ensured that they made nothing out if it. The Blaugrana could not penetrate into the box thereby they hardly troubled their opposition goalkeeper.
After going unlucky in the first half, Willian finally broke the deadlock 18 minutes after the restart. The Brazillian collected a pass from Eden Hazard, flicked the ball to the right and sent a ferocious shot into the back of the net to put his team ahead.
Barcelona, after going a goal down started attacking with more intensity, but Antonio Conte's men were too strong at the back. However, the Blaugrana finally got the equalizer in the 75th minute via a terrible mistake from Andrea Christensen. The defender gave the ball away in the danger zone, allowing Andres Iniesta to pounce on it. The Spaniard sent a lovely pass to Lionel Messi who converted perfectly to score against the Londoners for the first time in his career.
#1 Juventus vs Real Madrid (03/04/2018)
Zinedine Zidane led Real Madrid to the quarterfinals of the Champions League for a third consecutive year. This time, they were paired with Italian champions, Juventus for a spot in the semifinals of the competition. It was a familiar clash as both teams met in the final of the tournament last year.
So, Los Blancos traveled to the Allianz stadium to continue with their Champions League mission. The visitors started brilliantly and it took Cristiano Ronaldo just 3 minutes to put his team ahead. The Portuguese received a low cross from Isco and finished perfectly from close range to earn his club an important away goal.
Allegri's men pressed high thereafter but failed to hit the target as Madrid took the lead into the second half. Ronaldo scored again in the 64th minute, sending a brilliant overhead kick past a static Gigi Buffon to earn a standing ovation form Juventus fans. That classic goal dominated the headlines for several weeks.
Despite their 2-0 lead, Los Blancos continued with their brilliant performance in the game, entertaining the fans with pure attacking football. Ronaldo remained a constant threat on the left wing while Luka Modric controlled the game from the middle.
Paulo Dybala was sent off in the 66th minute after picking up two yellow cards and Marcelo scored the last goal of the game to seal a vital 3-0 victory for the Spanish giants.
