The New WembleyFootball isn’t called “the beautiful game” for nothing. The skill, intensity, passion and atmosphere seen on the biggest occasions make it a game like no other. Indeed, there are few more spectacular sights in sport than seeing a stadium erupt to a goal of monumental importance.And, while they may only happen every now and then, such moments vindicate our love for the game – making us revel in its unpredictability and idolise the stars of the game. Europe has some of the best stadiums in the world, with some of them being arguably the loudest across any sport anywhere in the world. And some of these cauldrons of emotion are home to the giants of the game, staging European royalty on their turf.These stadiums become real colosseums on some days, with the significance, expectations and quality of football making them truly memorable occasions. Let’s look at the best matches played in modern times, in some of the most iconic and storied European stadiums. Matches at the new Wembley have been left out, as it hasn’t yet served us a game to remember, though it surely will soon enough. Here we go.
#10 Estadio da Luz, Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (2014)
The first ever intra-city Champions League final was played last season between fierce local rivals, Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid at Benfica’s very own Stadium of Light, the Estadio da Luz in Lisbon. In what was one of the greatest ever finals in the competition’s modern history, Los Blancos scripted an astonishing comeback victory over their less fancied rivals.
After Diego Godin had drawn first blood for the Rojiblancos in front of a capacity 65,000 crowd in the Portuguese capital, it looked like Real’s Decima dream was shattered yet again, as Diego Simeone’s men held firm till the dying seconds of second half injury time. Enter Sergio Ramos. The Spaniard bulleted a header past Thibaut Courtois, as Los Merengues sent the game to Extra Time.
There was only one winner from then on with Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo all adding to Real’s tally, as they gave their team’s scoreline a flattering look, after two hours of closely fought football. While the victors won the title, the vanquished were given a standing ovation by the crowd, after their incredible display of fighting against all odds and very nearly reaching the top.
#9 Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich 1-1 Chelsea (4-3 on penalties) (2012)
From one iconic stadium to another and one European Cup final to another, as we go the 2012 Champions League final held at the Allianz Arena in Munich. The match was made even more special because the home team, Bayern Munich was playing. The air was palpable with excitement, as a fairytale was firmly on the horizon. Roberto Di Matteo’s Chelsea had other ideas though.
A dour game sprang to life late on, as Thomas Muller gave the Bavarians the lead, sending the crowd wild with frenzy. But the day belonged to another great forward of modern times – Didier Drogba. The indomitable Ivorian scored in the penultimate minute of regulation time, as the game went into extra time.
Chelsea looked down and out when Arjen Robben stepped up to take a penalty for Die Roten, but Petr Cech saved the Blues and sent the game to football’s very own Russian roulette – the penalty shootout.
After yet another astonishing save by Cech, it was left to Drogba to finish the game and lift the trophy for Chelsea. The same man who was sent off on the same occasion a few years earlier. He scored. Karma had come a full circle.
#8 Stamford Bridge, Chelsea 3-3 Manchester United
A match that epitomised what Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United was all about, the Red Devils played out this magnificent Premier League classic against their fierce rivals from West London at Stamford Bridge. With the former needing at least a point to stay on course of their hot pursuit of title favorites Manchester City, United were pegged back early, via a Johnny Evans own goal.
Things went from bad to worse, as a wonderstrike from the then Blue Juan Mata and a header by David Luiz, seemingly put Chelsea into an unassailable lead with a thrashing for the Mancunians on the cards. However, much maligned referee Howard Webb gave United a lifeline, conceding them a soft penalty which was duly converted by Wayne Rooney.
Another spot kick later, United were on the verge of a famous comeback, but Chelsea held firm. With time running out, United’s supersub headed them level, resulting in the team and the travelling fans celebrating wildly. Rarely had a stalemate felt so sweet, said Sir Alex in the post-match presser.
#7 The Emirates Stadium, Arsenal 2-1 FC Barcelona(2011)
Even though Arsene Wenger and his boys have fallen prey to a lot of criticism and flak over the last few months, it is because of matches like these that Ivan Gazidis, Stan Kroenke, David Dein and others still keep faith in "Le Professeur". In a David and Goliath battle battle against Pep Guardiola's all conquering Barcelona side, Arsenal weren't given a chance. Not by a long shot.
And those decisions stood vindicated early on, as David Villa the Blaugrana a routine lead, with yet another Arsenal capitulation being written on the wall. However, the players let go of their infamous mental frailties and produced one of the most stirring comebacks seen in recent Champions League history. After Robin Van Persie scored the equaliser 12 minutes from time, Andrei Arshavin showed his knack of scoring in crunch fixtures yet again, sending the Gooners wild with excitement leading into the second leg. Things didn't work out as they wished though, as a Messi brace helped them cruise through.
#6 Westfalenstadion, Borussia Dortmund 3-2 Malaga (2013)
Borussia Dortmund may well be in the doldrums right now, with the team languishing at the foot of the Bundesliga table. The heightened expectations on their shoulders as an elite European team hasn’t helped either. And the Westfalenstadion was never as loud as on the day when Jurgen Klopp’s team became one among Europe’s elite – the day they beat Malaga in the Champions League quarterfinals, and sent a yellow wall of 80,000 into raptures.
Joaquin and Eliseu scored on either side of Robert Lewandowski’s goal, as the Andalusians looked like running away with the match at the Signal Iduna Park. Tension soon turned into despair for the hosts, with 90 seconds left on the clock. Marco Reus gave the Schwarzgelben faithful a glimmer of hope with his injury time leveller, though. It wasn’t enough however, as Manuel Pellegrini’s team were still leading on away goals.
The events had a Hollywood finale ultimately, with Felipe Santana poking home after a penalty box scramble for Dortmund. The stadium exploded. Europe took notice. Real Madrid was beaten later. They had become a team to be feared. All because of 90 crazy seconds at the Westfalenstadion.
#5 San Siro, AC Milan 6-0 Inter Milan (2001)
Few fixtures in world football are as big as the ones between the two Milan giants – AC Milan and Internazionale. And when the two teams met at the San Siro for yet another heated edition of the Derby Della Madonnina in 2001, sparks were sure to fly. Both teams were level on points, there was little to choose between them and a tough clash was on the cards. On the cards, and not on the field though.
The Rossoneri were in the driver’s seat from the beginning as Gianni Commandini’s brace put them in a commanding position at the end of the firt half. Inter were expected to roar back, and a titanic second half was expected. The Nerazzurri never showed up though, as more goals from Federico Giunti, Serginho and a double from the talismanic Ukranian, Andriy Shevchenko rubbed salt into their neighbour’s wounds.
The Nerazzurri faithful still find it hard to come to terms with the massacre, while their red neighbours don’t spare a single opportunity to mock their hapless counterparts.
#4 Anfield, Liverpool 3-1 Olympiakos (2004)
With a massive do or die encounter looming against FC Basel, Liverpool have to look no further than this epic clash for inspiration. And in Steven Gerrard, they have the protagonist of that amazing day still with them.
Needing to win by two goals to progress from their Champions League group, an early Rivaldo free kick for the Greek champions dashed Red hearts. Anfield didn’t give up on the team though, roaring and spurring them into wave after wave of relentless attack. Two goals from unlikely sources in Neil Mellor and Florent Pongolle meant the famous Liverpudlian “Make Us Dream” banner was flying high.
And Steven Gerrard did not disappoint them. With time running out, Gerrard let rip a stunning half volley from distance to write the climax of one of the greatest nights in European football, as Anfield went absolutely berserk. One man eclipsed Gerrard that day though – Andy Gray and his famous cry of “Oh ya beautyyyyy! What a hit, son! What a hit!”. Gives me goosebumps every single time.
#3 Old Trafford, Manchester United 4-3 Real Madrid(2003)
Probably one of the greatest Champions League knockout ties of all time with an eye popping 11 goals in all, Manchester United and Real Madrid produced some of the best attacking football seen on the continent in the quarterfinals of the 2002-03 edition. After Madrid won the the home leg 3-1, it was down to United to pull back the deficit at Old Trafford. It started badly for the hosts, as El Fenomeno Ronaldo gave the visitors an early lead.
Ruud Van Nistelrooy pulled one back for the hosts soon, before the Brazilian magician completed a terrific hat-trick with two more goals. After Ivan Helguera put one inadvertently into his own net however, it was all United's game. David Beckham came on from the bench to score two more goals to give United a 4-3 lead, but Madrid held on thereafter to win the contest on aggregate. Featuring the likes of Ronaldo, Zidane, Beckham, Juan Sebastian Veron, Steve McManaman, Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes amongst others, such a galaxy of attacking quality hasn't been seen very often in world football.
#2 Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid 2-6 FC Barcelona (2009)
In Pep Guardiola’s first visit to the Santiago Bernabeu as Barcelona coach, the Blaugrana were widely expected to fail, even though they were riding high in the league. After all, it was the El Clasico, and things never go according to script, said the pundits. They were proved right, but in a different manner altogether.
When Sergio Ramos gave the Blancos the lead, nobody expected the match to end the way it did, with the Catalans hitting their fierce rivals for a six. Thierry Henry and a 22-year old Lionel Messi scored twice each, while Carles Puyol and Gerard Pique also scored, to humiliate the capital team in front of their own fans.
When the game was evenly poised at 3-2, nobody expected the Blancos to capitulate as badly as they did, with Iker Casillas, Sergio Ramos, Fernando Gago and Lassana Diarra, all enduring a torrid time against a wonderfully synchronised Barcelona side. Xavi and Iniesta commanded the midfield with ease and grace, while Messi and Henry delivered the finishing touches, to give them a resounding and unforgettable victory.
#1 Camp Nou, Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (1999)
One of the greatest European Cup finals of all time, played in arguably the greatest and most atmospheric stadium in the continent. Manchester United and Bayern Munich played out a memorable 90 minutes of Champions League football in front of a sold out crowd of 98,000.
After Mario Basler gave the Bavarians a deserved early lead, the writing was on the wall for the Red Devils. And with 90 minutes up, the trophy was Bayern’s to lose. United though had other plans, as Teddy Sheringham equalised in the first minute of injury time to give them the equaliser.
And when, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer scored in the third minute of injury time, the crowd erupted. They had just seen some of the greatest few minutes of European football. Clive Tyldesley delivered his famous line “And Manchester United have reached the promised land” before Sir Alex Ferguson put it more tellingly – “Football, bloody hell!”
