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2017 has been an eventful year in the world of sport, providing us an opulence of moments to cherish. When we look back at the year so far in sport, some moments that stand out make us go back to YouTube often and watch it again, giving us goosebumps every single time. These were not just moments, but experiences. Here is a compilation of five such unforgettable episodes from the year gone by.
#5 Rafael Nadal jumping on Roger Federer in the Laver Cup [Sept 24, 2017]
Before we move on, let's take a look at this scene, once:
YES, THAT HAPPENED! An incredible sight for all tennis fans. Although the Laver Cup is not a premium tournament in tennis, it's a joy for fans as they get to see all the biggest faces in the world of tennis playing together, as a team. The bromance of Roger and Rafa has always been there, both making their mutual respect and frienship well-known. This is a moment that reflects this genuine affection, and a rivalry that is only on the court. Unexpectedly, the Laver Cup produced one of the moments of the year and one of the pictures that is going to be treasured forever.
This picture has appeared in the same year as the two legends of tennis have come back to rule the roost once again, after a long gap at the top. This moment is just a consequence of their comeback (more about their comeback in further slides), giving us a beautiful picture that will be cherished for a long time.
More on the Roger-Rafa bromance below:
#4 Barcelona's comeback against PSG [March 8, 2017]
"It's Neymar trying to feed it through, it's a stretch and it's IN! I can't remember the last time I saw something like this! Extraordinary scenes at the Nou Camp! Sergi Roberto is the hero of the hour, and its the greatest Champions League comeback of all-time!"
BBC commentator Stewart Robson must have been going through a barrage of emotions as he said these words, reflecting the thoughts of every Barca fan watching this incredible match. Even Tom Cruise might have felt this was mission impossible such was the disastrous performance from the Barcelona team in the first leg, three weeks before this historic night.
A 4-0 drubbing at the Parc de Princes did not provide any reassurance whatsoever to the fans that the deficit could be overturned. But nothing is impossible in football. A world class performance from Barcelona with a high pressing strategy against a quality PSG side was enough to take them through to the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
Sergi Roberto sealed the victory with a last ditch toe poke from Neymar's lob in the 95th minute to secure an unimaginable 6-1 victory after Edinson Cavani's goal had snatched every last crumb of hope implanted among the fans. An inspired performance from Neymar, arguably his best in Barcelona shirt, was the driving force as one of the best matches in the history of Champions League football was scripted.
As it happened
A Barcelona side desperately in the need of some confidence started with a 3-3-1-3 lineup, while PSG fielded a 4-4-2 lineup. Barca got off the blocks early, with Luis Suarez heading a goal over the keeper after chaos at the back in the 2nd minute. Barca created a host of chances with PSG barely getting any sight of the goal barring two one-on-one chances for Di Maria and Cavani which were fluffed. Iniesta's dogged resistance in the box was fruitful with his backheel finding its way into the net via a deflection off Kurzawa.
A penalty awarded to Barca as Meunier fouled Neymar in the 54th minute was scored by Messi clinically as Barca were back in the tie with a great chance to come back. Their confidence was shattered 10 minutes later though, as Cavani thumped a volley to rattle the back of the net as PSG seemingly had taken control of the tie. It looked all but over for Barca, but Neymar had other ideas. His pitch perfect free kick found its way in the 87th minute before Suarez was controversially brought down in the box by Marquinhos 3 minutes later.
Neymar levelled it on aggregate 5-5 with only stoppage time remaining, but due to the away goal rule PSG would still qualify. All 11 players of Barca were in the opponent half for the remainder, and of all the players goalkeeper Ter Stegen won a free kick 45 yards away from the PSG goal. Neymar took the free kick which was headed back to him, before gliding past a player and dinking it into the box with 30 seconds left on the clock. An energetic Sergi Roberto got on the end of the lob and finished it off for Barca to win 6-5, capping an unforgettable night of football for Barcelona!
#3 Super Bowl LI [Feb 5, 2017]
Feb 5, 2017 was a special day for NFL fans. Touted as the greatest Super Bowl of all time, the New England Patriots completed an unbelievable comeback against the Atlanta Falcons to win the Super Bowl LI. Although it is a sport relatively unknown in the Eastern Hemisphere, any person watching the game would have witnessed something truly spectacular, a never-seen-before kind of tie in the biggest showpiece in American football. The game was the first Super Bowl to go into overtime, before which the Patriots overturned a 28-3 deficit with 2 minutes and a quarter to go. The massive 25-point comeback in the Super Bowl is the largest that has been witnessed ever in the 51-year old history of the game.
New England Patrioter Tom Brady etched his name as arguably, the greatest quarterback the game has ever seen with a stunning performance in the last quarter of regular time. The quarterback who even time cannot beat, his brilliance allowed the Patriots to get 3 touchdowns and a few field goals, and a breathtaking catch from Julian Edelman helped them equal the score of 28 put up by the Falcons' 4 touchdowns.
In overtime, the Patriots had the first possession knowing a touchdown would win them the game. Brady floated a pass towards Bennett in the end zone, but pass interference was called on the Falcons and the Patriots just needed to drive home from two yards out. White won it for the Patriots 34-28 with a final plunge; the full capacity of Houston's NRG Stadium erupted. The greatest Super Bowl had come to an enthralling finish, helping the Patriots close in on the Pittsburgh Steelers' record 7 titles.
#2 Egypt qualifying for the FIFA World Cup 2018 [Oct 8, 2017]
Egypt qualified for the FIFA World Cup 2018 for the first time since 1990, and how! A fascinating script was written in the history books as star player Mohammed Salah scored a penalty with 60 seconds remaining to secure a 2-1 victory for Egypt over Congo, ensuring a berth in next year's tournament. With hopes of a nation riding on him, Mo Salah coolly slotted the ball into the net gaining a status of a country legend:
Even the commentator could not hold back his tears, such was the effect this moment had on the country! Mo Salah now is the fifth highest scorer for Egypt, with 31 international goals. In the aftermath Mo Salah rejected a gift of a luxury villa, instead asking the funds to be redirected to his hometown village. A class act on and off the pitch.
As it happened
Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer after the Australia Open final.
#1 The Australian Open Final - Year of comebacks for Roger and Rafa [29 Jan, 2017]
9 and 16. These were the rankings of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer at the end of 2016. It was a disappointing year for both players, with about 6 months out of action due to injuries. So obviously, not many people gave them a chance to make it to the final of the Australin Open on their return to action. But against all odds, they did! A refreshed Roger Federer with an unseen menacing backhand returned to sail through the first grand slam of the year, a sight every Federer fan was craving to see since a long time.
Same went for Rafa, who last won a grand slam in 2014 and was definitely not assumed to be the frontrunner for the crown. But inspite of lack of match practice and very recent injuries, both reached a dream final at the Australian Open. A Roger-Rafa final was something I personally had not expected to ever see again in a grand slam. When it happened, it literally was a dream come true.
Roger won the final in a classic 5-setter 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. He survived a scare in the 5th set to come back from a break down to announce his return to the grand stage, sealing an amazing 18th grand slam title.
"Rafa said so many things, but I'd like to also congratulate Rafa on an amazing comeback. I don't think either one of us believed that we would be in the finals of Australia when we saw each other at your academy 4-5 months ago and here we stand in the finals...And I'm happy for you. I'd happy to lose too, to be honest..The comeback was perfect as it was. Tennis is a tough sport, there are no draws but if there were, I'd have been happy to accept a draw tonight with Rafa, really."
Those were the words from Federer and it absolutely reflects the grit and determination to come back to the pinnacle for both these men. The final was just a beginning for the things to come this year, as Roger and Rafa shared the grand slams with two apiece. Incredible stuff from players who were written off just a few months back. Federer won the 'Sunshine Double' before skipping the entire clay court season, keeping himself fit enough for grass and hard court which paid dividends.
Rafa conquered the clay court season, winning every title that he could. He also won the US Open and the China Open on the hard court along with the clay court titles, making a very fulfilling comeback both for the fans and himself. He regained the World No. 1 ranking, while Federer has moved from 16 to 2 in the span of the last 8 months.
2017 has been the year of Fedal. And we hope that this year never ends.
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