Football: Five stunning football turnarounds in the last 20 years

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique (left) and defender Sergi Roberto celebrate after the Uefa Champions League win against Paris Saint-Germain. PHOTO: EPA

Barcelona scored three goals in the dying minutes to complete the greatest comeback in Champions League history on Wednesday (March 8) night.

That 6-1 win against French champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Nou Camp to advance to the quarter-final has been hailed as one of the most amazing feats in modern football.

Here are five other matches that saw one team rise from the ashes like Lazarus.

1. The miracle of Istanbul

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan - May 25, 2005

Liverpool were trailing 3-0 to AC Milan at half-time in the 2005 Champions League final, but hauled themselves level in an miraculous escape with goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso before beating the Rossoneri 3-2 on penalties, thanks to Jerzy Dudek's heroics in goal.

2. The treble-winning season

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich - May 26, 1999

Manchester United, shorn of suspended stalwarts Roy Keane and Paul Scholes, were one-goal down in the 1999 Champions League final as the game moved into injury time but two last-gasp goals from Teddy Sheringham and super sub Ole Gunnar Solskjaer turned the game on its head. United became the first English team to achieve the treble - the Premier League, FA Cup and the European Cup - in the same season.

3. Manchester City's first league title in 44 years

Manchester City 3-2 Queens Park Rangers - May 13, 2012

Manchester City won the Premier League in the most dramatic fashion, having trailed 2-1 to 10-man QPR as the final game of the season moved into stoppage time. Cross-town rivals Manchester United defeated Sunderland so only three points would end City's 44-year wait for a league title.

City scored twice in injury time, first from Edin Dzeko and with practically the last kick of the game, Sergio Aguero rifled the ball into the roof of the net to spark wild celebrations at the Etihad Stadium. This was the first Premier League title to be decided on goal difference.

Remote video URL

4. Deportivo's first-ever Champions League semi-final appearance

Deportivo 4-0 Milan - April 7, 2004

Deportivo La Coruna had to overcome a 4-1 loss in the first leg of their Champions League quarter-final against holders and tournament favourites AC Milan and they blew Milan away with a whirlwind performance.

It was the first time a Champions League team pulled off a comeback from three goals down in the first leg and more impressively, it was against a Milan team, who not only were the reigning champions but had not conceded an away goal in Europe all season prior to their visit to the Riazor stadium.

Remote video URL

5. Arsenal stumble in the north

Newcastle 4-4 Arsenal - Feb 5, 2011

Theo Walcott scored after 44 seconds and a brace by Robin van Persie put Arsenal four up after just 26 minutes, a lead the visitors probably assumed was insurmountable and this allowed their minds to drift.

That drop in concentration was best personified by Abou Diaby, who earned himself a needless red card for pushing Joey Barton and Kevin Nolan shortly after the restart. That started the collapse as Barton converted two penalties before Cheick Tiote, with three minutes remaining, hammered a volley from way out into the bottom corner. Arsenal were left stunned with no one to blame but themselves.

Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.