Tottenham – Ajax Amsterdam, demi-final the C1 2019
- 0-1 on the first leg, 3-2 on the return: 3-3 on the whole confrontation
April 30, 2019, semi-final first leg of the Champions League. Donny van de Beek scored the only goal of the game after a quarter of an hour, on the pitch at the brand new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. Ajax think they have done the hardest part, even more so when they find the net twice in the second leg. But a man will turn into a hero: the Brazilian Lucas Moura. In four minutes, the former Parisian offers himself a double (55th, 59th). Then at the end of additional time, he sees triple on the last action of the match (96th), with a cross strike from the left which turns off the Johan Cruijff Arena. 3-3, but a ticket for the final that goes to Mauricio Pochettino’s troops.
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Lucas Moura after his hat-trick at Ajax – Tottenham
Credit: Getty Images
FC Barcelona – AS Rome, 2018 C1 quarter-final
- 4-1 on the first leg, 0-3 on the return, 4-4 on the whole confrontation
A year after a successful historic comeback against PSG, Barça trades his hero costume for that of trapped. After a dream scenario in the first leg, where they notably took advantage of two Roman goals against their side, the Blaugrana presented themselves serene at the Stadio Olimpico. From the outset, Roma sowed doubt with a goal from Edin Dzeko (6th). Then Daniele De Rossi gives yet another dimension to the penalty shoot-out before the hour mark (58th). Before the issue: a header from Kostas Manolas in the last minutes (82nd), synonymous with equality on the two meetings. This is when Dzeko’s reduction in score at the end of the first leg at Camp Nou takes on its full meaning …
Manchester City – Monaco, C1 2017 finale 8
- 5-3 on the first leg, 1-3 on the return: 6-6 on the whole confrontation
The unthinkable madness of the outward journey is followed by the unbearable tension of the return. Defeated after a crazy match at the Etihad Stadium three weeks earlier, AS Monaco know they have the offensive assets they need to overthrow Manchester City. In fact, the problem is, above all, to manage to keep the cage at zero.
It all started like a dream for the Monegasques, virtually qualified at the half-hour mark thanks to Kylian Mbappé (8th) and Fabinho (29th). The Citizens are far from abdicating, however, Danijel Subasic must work but Leroy Sané, opportunist, scores the dreaded goal (71st). Never mind, Tiémoué Bakayoko, from the head, gives two lengths to his family (77th). The last quarter of an hour is trying, but the ASM holds the shock to the end.
Kylian Mbappé, scorer with AS Monaco, on the pitch of Manchester City, in the round of 16 first leg of the Champions League – February 21, 2017
Credit: Getty Images
Chelsea – PSG, Round of 16 of C1 2015
- 1-1 on the first leg, 2-2 on the return: 3-3 on the whole confrontation
An evening started backwards and ended like a dream: the salt of great matches. After a stuck first leg, PSG began their comeback in the worst possible way, with the exclusion of Zlatan Ibrahimovic at the half-hour mark. The film seemed written when Gary Cahill put the Blues in the lead in the 81st minute. At ten, courage and a duel, Paris glues together and snatches the extension. But these Blues are too numerous and too strong. Hazard puts his people back in front and the difficult mission now becomes impossible. Five minutes from the end, Paris is almost in the ravine. But Thiago Silva’s unthinkable and magnificent stroke of the skull will offer one of the finest exploits in the history of the Parisian club. Eternal evening. For once, in a good way for this PSG.
Thiago Silva’s qualifying goal against Chelsea in the knockout stages of the 2014-15 Champions League
Credit: Getty Images
Chelsea – Barcelona, C1 semi-final 2009
- 0-0 on the first leg, 1-1 on the return: 1-1 on the whole confrontation
The legendary “Fucking Disgrace” by Didier Drogba, outraged by the arbitration decisions at the end of the match, and one of the most incredible scenarios in the history of the Champions League. At Camp Nou, Pep Guardiola’s armada remained silent, trapped by the defensive discipline of the Blues who bet everything on the return to Stamford Bridge. Guus Hiddink sets an XXL trap for the Blaugranas on the return, who fall on foot together in it. Michael Essien opens the scoring, Chelsea unleashed and obtains many situations, all stopped in a (very) contentious way. And, what had to happen happened: at the end of a crazy match, Andres Iniesta sent his outside into the top corner of Petr Cech in added time. The following ? A cover of Ballack in the arm of Eto’o, a stadium that roars with anger under the weight of injustice and insults in mondovision which will remain forever.
Andres Iniesta scored Barca’s qualifying goal against Chelsea in 2009
Credit: Getty Images
Marseille – Mlada Boleslav, 2006 UEFA Cup first round
- 1-0 on the first leg, 2-4 on the return, 3-4 on the whole confrontation
A prime example of the confusion that the away goal rule could create. After the first leg won by OM at the Stade Vélodrome, the Marseille club are coming back from the right end. Goals from Toifilou Maolida and Taye Taiwo allowed the Olympians to lead 2-1 on the hour mark… before the collapse. In half an hour, Marseille sinks and concedes three goals. At the microphone of France Bleu, Avi Assouly is convinced that OM is qualified because “goals count double away“. Problem, it is the case only in case of equality on the two confrontations.”It feels like the Czechs have qualified“, he says, seeing their audience exulting at the final whistle. It is indeed the case …
Deportivo La Corogne – Marseille, Coupe Intertoto finale 2005
- 2-0 on the first leg, 1-5 on the return: 3-5 on the whole confrontation
It is not only in the Champions League that this away goal rule can provoke the wildest emotions, and the Marseille fans will be the first to affirm it. In the summer of 2005, their team found themselves involved in the defunct Intertoto Cup, where they had to challenge Deportivo La Coruna in the final. The defeat conceded in Galicia in the first leg (2-0) puts the Phocaeans in an uncomfortable situation. This is even more after nine minutes, Jorge Andrade having very quickly responded to Franck Ribéry (5th).
Because of this goal conceded on their home turf, OM must now score three more times to win. He succeeds, for the benefit of an incandescent end to the match. Abdoulaye Meïté (65th) gives hope to the Vélodrome, which melts when Mamadou Niang in turn finds the fault (74th), then flares up completely when the Senegalese signs a double (88th). At the end of additional time, Wilson Oruma delivers the final blow to the submerged Herculinos (93rd). The icing on the cake of a crazy evening, the prelude to a night of drunkenness for a whole people.
Real Madrid – Monaco, quart de finale de C1 2004
- 4-2 on the first leg, 1-3 on the return: 5-5 on the whole confrontation
At the heart of a breathtaking season, AS Monaco rub shoulders with the Galacticos of Real Madrid in the quarter-finals. In the first leg, the march is too high for the gang to Didier Deschamps, who lost 4-2 in the Spanish capital. Sébastien Squilacci does not yet know how important his reduction of the score at the end of the match is… Because if the return match starts in the worst possible way for the club of the Rock, with an opening of the score of Raul, the ASM completely reverses the situation. A volley from Ludovic Giuly, a helmet shot from Fernando Morientes, then a brilliant new inspiration from Giuly later, Monaco leads 3-1. And take advantage of his two goals in the first leg to qualify in the last four.
Monaco – Real 2004: Figo dismayed, Morientes in angels
Credit: Imago
Marseille – Sparta Prague, 2nd round of C1 1991
- 3-2 on the first leg, 2-1 on the return, 4-4 on the whole confrontation
Unhappy finalist the previous season against Red Star Belgrade, OM advance as the big favorite to win the cup with big ears so desired by Bernard Tapie. Especially since its main rival, AC Milan is suspended for this edition. Everything is looking good for OM in their second round against Sparta Prague. A goal from Chris Waddle and a brace from Jean-Pierre Papin allow the Marseillais to lead 3-0 at the Vélodrome shortly before the hour mark. We say to ourselves that the case has already been heard. The Marseillais too.
Fatal error. Tomislav Ivic’s men know a guilty release and concede two goals from the penalty spot in the last half hour. We say to ourselves that OM is far superior and will still go to Prague. Second fatal error. These two goals conceded at home will make all the difference. On the return, Martin Frydek, then Hors Siegl, gave the locals a break in advance and the reduction of the gap at the end of the match by Abedi Pelé would remain insufficient. OM are eliminated to everyone’s surprise. But his dream will eventually come true a year and a half later.
Dynamo Berlin – Monaco, 8th final of C2 1989
- 0-0 on the first leg, 1-1 (ap) on the return, 1-1 on the whole confrontation
November 1, 1989. Eight days later, the Berlin Wall will fall. In the meantime, another Berlin wall stands in front of AS Monaco. That of the Dynamo. Arsène Wenger’s men failed to pierce him in the first leg at Louis-II. Same thing on the way back. Few opportunities, a closed meeting and an inevitable outcome. 0-0. Make way for extra time. And probably on penalties given the scenario of the first 180 minutes. But no.
Eike Küttner inherits a ball entering the box and shoots Jean-Luc Ettori with a shot under the bar. It gives the advantage to Berliners in the 110th minute of play. Monaco is on the verge of elimination. And then the ASM gets a free kick. About 25 meters, slightly off-center on the right side. We play the 117th minute. Ramon Diaz kicks it with his fabulous left foot and finds the skylight. ASM keeps the score until the end and qualifies for the quarter-finals. “Diaz brought down the Wall”, headlines The team the next day. Like an omen.
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