From chaos to quality, continental football once again delivered unforgettable drama.
These were the nights that defined the European season.
Now it is over to you – vote for your favourite.
Inter eliminate Barcelona after extra-time – May 6
This was an epic Champions League semi-final from start to finish.
Forget one comeback, there were two within this game. Inter raced into a 2-0 lead through Lautaro Martinez and Hakan Calhanoglou before Barcelona roared back with goals from Eric Garcia and Dani Olmo.
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Highlights: Frattesi’s extra time winner sends Inter to final after epic Barca battle
Video credit: TNT Sports
It looked as though Inter were heading out after Raphinha scored in the 87th minute of the second leg to put Barcelona ahead for the first time in the tie, but Francesco Acerbi’s stoppage time goal ensured an additional 30 minutes of drama.
Maguire the hero for Man Utd in Lyon epic – April 17
A Europa League quarter-final for the ages. Manchester United looked to have chucked away a 2-0 lead during the second leg of their clash with Lyon.
The French side arrived at Old Trafford having drawn the first leg on home soil 2-2, and they got off to a nightmare start as first-half goals from Manuel Ugarte and Diogo Dalot put United within touching distance of a place in the last four.
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Highlights: Maguire the hero as Man Utd beat Lyon in all-time classic
Video credit: TNT Sports
That all changed after the interval as Ruben Amorim’s players were rocked by Corentin Tolisso and Nicolas Tagliafico forcing extra-time. It sucked all life out of the hosts as Rayan Cherki and an Alexandre Lacazette penalty put Lyon on the brink of progression.
Bruno Fernandes halved the deficit from the spot, and after Kobbie Mainoo dramatically levelled in the 120th minute, Harry Maguire struck barely 60 seconds later to complete arguably one of the greatest European comebacks of all time.
Villa’s valiant PSG comeback falls just short – April 15
Paris Saint-Germain were crowned champions of Europe for the first time in their history following the most one-sided final in the competition against Inter – but they came very close to being knocked out at the quarter-final stage after Unai Emery’s Aston Villa gave them an almighty scare.
PSG took a 3-1 lead to Villa Park for the second leg following Nuno Mendes’ strike deep into stoppage time at the Parc des Princes.
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Highlights: Villa comeback in vain as PSG progress to semis
Video credit: TNT Sports
It would prove crucial in deciding the outcome of the tie, but the Parisians were coasting after first-half goals from Achraf Hakimi and Mendes again seemed to have ended any hopes of a comeback.
That all changed when strikes from Youri Tielemans, John McGinn and Ezri Konsa had the French champions rocking with 30 minutes still left on the clock.
Of all the people who might have completed the turnaround, it was Marco Asensio who was denied against his parent club, as Gianluigi Donnarumma saved with his feet in a clear one-on-one to preserve a 5-4 aggregate win.
PSV send The Old Lady tumbling out of Europe – February 19
February threw up a Champions League classic in the perfect advert for the new format. Consigned to a two-legged play-off after finishing outside the top eight, PSV were beaten 2-1 away to Juventus in the first leg.
Curiously, it was the second time they had lost in Turin that season, after a 3-1 reverse in the league phase.
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Highlights: High drama as PSV knock out Juve after extra-time
Video credit: TNT Sports
But it was third time lucky for the Eredivisie club back on home soil for the second leg. It appeared unlikely when Timothy Weah cancelled out Ivan Perisic’s opener, but after Ismael Saibari sent the game to extra time, Ryan Flamingo pounced from close range to send the Philips Stadion into raptures.
It would not act as lift-off for Flamingo, however, as he failed to score another goal for the rest of the season with PSV exiting the Champions League in the next round after a heavy 9-3 defeat by Arsenal.
Bellingham lands decisive blow to down Man City – February 11
Unlike the other options, this one arguably provided the best first leg of the bunch as Manchester City were left fighting for Champions League survival and a place in the last 16 after Jude Bellingham’s injury-time winner at the Etihad.
It had all started so well for City after Jack Grealish and Josko Gvardiol combined to release Erling Haaland for a confident finish. Kylian Mbappe scrambled home a close-range leveller on the hour before Haaland put City back in front from the spot with 10 minutes remaining.
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Highlights: Bellingham and Real snatch late victory over City in Etihad thriller
Video credit: TNT Sports
It appeared there would be nothing to separate the two sides heading back to the Bernabeu when former City midfielder Brahim Diaz equalised, but Bellingham would have the final say in the second minute of stoppage time to leave Pep Guardiola’s side with it all to do in Spain.
The second leg was much more of a formality for Madrid as Mbappe registered a memorable hat-trick to complete a 6-3 aggregate win that looked unlikely for long spells of the game in Manchester – underlining Madrid’s status as the comeback kings of Europe.
PSG rally to keep European hopes alive – January 22
Perhaps the most significant comeback – and collapse – in Europe during 2025 took place way back in January. Paris Saint-Germain were staring into the abyss, with their hopes of making the play-offs on the line when they hosted Manchester City.
Defeats against Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich had left progress out of their hands, but coupled with favourable results elsewhere, it was City’s future in the competition that was thrown into peril after PSG’s impressive 4-2 comeback win in Paris.
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Highlights: Man City on UCL brink after astonishing PSG comeback
Video credit: TNT Sports
It appeared as though Luis Enrique’s side were heading for the brink of elimination when Jack Grealish and Erling Haaland struck twice in the first eight minutes of the second half.
But in torrential conditions, substitute Ousmane Dembele and Bradley Barcola restored parity before the hour. Joao Neves headed home Vitinha’s free-kick and Goncalo Ramos’ strike compounded City’s agony. It set up that haunting play-off against Real Madrid which would ultimately lead to their premature exit.
As for PSG, the rest – as they say – is history.
Nine-goal epic in Lisbon – January 21
Barcelona produced one of the all-time greatest comebacks in a one-off European contest, as Benfica were left scratching their heads and searching for answers in a pulsating nine-goal thriller at the Estadio da Luz.
Hansi Flick’s side were already guaranteed to progress to the last 16, but were vying with Arsenal and Liverpool for top spot, and a potentially more favourable tie.
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Highlights: Raphinha’s dramatic late winner sees Barca edge chaotic nine-goal affair
Video credit: TNT Sports
It seemed that only a second league phase defeat was on the cards, with Benfica leading 3-1 at the break thanks to Vangelis Pavlidis’ hat-trick. The Portuguese outfit then led 4-2 with less than a quarter of an hour remaining.
Robert Lewandowski and Eric Garcia hauled the Catalans level before Raphinha struck deep into stoppage time to book Barca’s spot in the last 16.
Benfica looked shell-shocked at the final whistle, but this barnstorming encounter was very much in keeping with Flick’s expansive approach across the competition last term.
