Football has given us some of the most dramatic moments of this century. Games where fans laughed, cried, and shouted until they lost their voices. There’s been last-minute winners and shocking defeats, and these matches remind us why the sport is loved across the globe. The best part is how these games reach beyond the pitch. Fans talk about them for years.
Video replays of the goals are viewed millions of times on social networking sites, and analysts keep bringing them up. Sometimes, the nostalgia surrounding them makes punters want to bet on the matches of the teams involved. For instance, rewatching the dazzling performances of Hungarian legends like Ferenc Puskas and Florian Albert may inspire some punters to back the Mighty Magyars in the next matches.
However, before venturing into betting, experts often advise that bettors conduct study on the teams and platforms they want to use. Just like studying reviews is essential when trying to choose online casino platforms in Hungary, punters also want to check similar guides and resources when looking for a sportsbook. These days, review resources like MightyTips have been helpful for discovering the best sports betting sites in Hungary.
These platforms give analysis, predictions, and expert views, helping bettors understand how to make the right calls that lead to success.
Now, let’s look at the most unforgettable matches of the 21st century.
Liverpool vs AC Milan, 2005: The Miracle of Istanbul
The 2005 Champions League final is agreed to be one of football’s greatest nights. AC Milan went 3-0 up by halftime and were looking unstoppable. But Liverpool shocked the world with three goals in six minutes, starting with Steven Gerrard’s 54th minute header.
Vladimir Šmicer and Xabi Alonso went on to quickly add two more goals. The match ended 3-3, and Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties. A double save from Jerzy Dudek against Andriy Shevchenko sealed it.
Steven Gerrard described it as, “the best night of my life… apart from the birth of my children.”
Manchester City vs QPR, 2012: The Agüero Moment
Manchester City had to win on the final day of the season to win the league title for the first time in forty-four years. They were losing to QPR 2-1 when the game went into stoppage time. That is when the miracle happened.
At 90’ +2, Edin Džeko equalized, and at 90’ +4, Sergio Agüero scored one of the greatest goals in football history.
Martin Tyler’s iconic cry will be forever imprinted in the memories of football supporters: “Agüerooooo! I swear you’ll never see anything like this ever again!”
The win was the beginning of City’s dominance in English football. Since then, they have claimed seven more league titles in just over a decade.
Brazil vs Germany, 2014: The Belo Horizonte Nightmare
The 2014 World Cup semi-final left Brazil stunned. Playing at home, they were beaten 7-1 by Germany. Five goals came in the opening 29 minutes, and the home crowd could hardly believe what they were seeing. Miroslav Klose broke the record for most World Cup goals (16), as Thomas Müller and Toni Kroos ran riot.
It remains one of the most shocking results in World Cup history.
David Luiz, captain on the night, said, “I am sorry for the Brazilian people. The team, we wanted to make them happy. We wanted to do this for the people who have suffered so much in Brazil. We wanted to make you happy in the World Cup but we couldn’t do it.”
The game broke social media records at the time, with more than 35 million tweets posted during the match.
Barcelona vs PSG, 2017: The Miracle of Camp Nou
Paris Saint-Germain were comfortable after a 4-0 win in the first leg in Paris. But at the Camp Nou, Barcelona staged one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport.
Barcelona were leading 3-0 before Edinson Cavani struck what resembled the decisive away goal for PSG. Neymar would eventually score twice late in the game, before Sergi Roberto hit the decisive goal in injury time. Barcelona won 6-1, going through 6–5 on aggregate.
Luis Enrique, Barça’s manager at the time, said afterward: “This is a sport for crazy people, a unique sport. Any kid who was in the Camp Nou tonight will never forget this in their life. It was a torrent of feelings.”
The comeback became known as La Remontada.
Argentina vs France, 2022: Messi’s Moment
The 2022 World Cup final in Qatar was dramatic. Argentina led 2-0, but Kylian Mbappé scored two goals in two minutes to force extra time. Both Messi and Mbappé scored again. The game ended 3-3 after 120 minutes.
Argentina went on to win 4-2 on penalties. Messi said afterward that he finally got what he dreamed of for so long in his career. According to FIFA, close to 1.5 billion people watched the final worldwide, making it one of the most viewed sporting events in history.
Liverpool vs West Ham, 2006: The Gerrard Final
The 2006 FA Cup final at Cardiff is another entry in the unforgettable list. West Ham led 2-0, but Liverpool clawed back into the game. Steven Gerrard assisted Djibril Cisse and then leveled it with a powerful volley.
West Ham went ahead again through Paul Konchesky. But deep into stoppage time, Gerrard unleashed a thunderous 35-yard strike to level the game 3-3. Liverpool went on to win on penalties. This match cemented Gerrard’s case for being one of the best big-game players of his time.
Spain vs England, 2024: Spain Lift the Euros
The most recent addition to the list came during the Euro 2024 final in Berlin, when Spain beat England. Nico Williams opened the scoring, Cole Palmer equalized, but Mikel Oyarzabal’s late strike sealed the trophy.
It was Spain’s fourth European Championship, making them the most successful team in the competition’s history. For England, it was yet another case of coming close but not quite enough.
Final Thoughts: Why These Matches Still Matter
These matches show why football means so much to people. Comebacks, like Liverpool in 2005 and Barcelona in 2017, remind us that no game is ever lost if a team keeps believing. Upsets, like Brazil’s 7-1 loss in 2014, prove that even the biggest teams can fall.
Last-gasp thrillers, like City’s 2012 title win or Liverpool’s 2006 FA Cup turnaround, reminds us that football never ends until the final whistle. And the 2022 World Cup final, in which Argentina beat France, united billions of people in one instant.
Those games mattered because of the feelings they evoked and memories they were left with. The 21st century has already given us football games we will never forget. They are stories of heartbreak, joy, and unbelievable moments that became history. With every new season and tournament, fans wait for the next big game that people will remember and talk about for years.
Connect with us
