Actual Madrid are within the unfamiliar place of being underdogs forward of their Champions League tie in opposition to Arsenal, with Los Blancos hoping to overturn a three-goal deficit.
It is not typically that the 15-time European champions are in such a bleak place, but when there may be one group in Europe you would not put a miraculous comeback previous, it is Madrid.
Sadly for Arsenal, the Champions League (and the European Cup) has seen loads of Actual comebacks, as if there was any reminder wanted that this tie is much from over.
Right here, we have a look again at 8 occasions Actual Madrid staged a Champions League comeback when all appeared misplaced.
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1
Actual Madrid 6-5 Derby County (aet)
1975/76 European Cup second spherical
Maybe Actual’s most spectacular comeback in European competitors, Los Blancos in some way fought again from a 4-1 first-leg defeat to win after additional time on the Santiago Bernabeu.
A hat-trick from ex-Arsenal ahead Charlie George appeared to have put English champions Derby County in full management, even when Roberto Martinez (not that one) struck early within the return leg.
However quickfire second-half targets from Martinez and Santillana obtained Madrid inside touching distance, with George’s comfort making little distinction.
A late Pirri penalty arrange an additional interval, the place Santillana obtained the eventual winner to lastly put Actual in entrance, 189 minutes into the tie.
2
Actual Madrid 3-2 Celtic
1979/80 European Cup quarter-finals
Actual had been at it once more as Celtic appeared on the verge of securing an outstanding end result following a 2-0 success at Parkhead.
Nonetheless, the second leg noticed the house facet ultimately take management, with Santillana’s purpose on the stroke of half-time establishing a tense second interval.
Following Uli Stielike’s equaliser, Actual accomplished their comeback late on by Juanito’s late header.
3
Actual Madrid 4-4 Purple Star Belgrade
1986/87 European Cup quarter-finals
Having been 3-0 down at one level within the tie, Actual Madrid’s away-goal victory over Purple Star Belgrade is nicely worthy of a point out.
A brace from Hugo Sanchez gave Los Blancos a combating probability forward of their dwelling leg, the place they did not disappoint in entrance of their supporters.
Emilio Butragueno’s opener obtained the ball rolling, earlier than a second-half header from Manolo Sanchis gave Madrid probably the most slender of leads.
Madrid held on to safe one other comeback win, however they had been overwhelmed by Bayern Munich within the semis.
4
Actual Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich
1987/88 European Cup quarter-finals
Actual Madrid obtained their revenge on the Bavarians a yr later, even after lulling the German facet right into a seemingly secure 3-0 lead.
Los Blancos did not get on the scoresheet till 85 minutes into the primary leg after a mix-up within the Bayern defence gifted Butragueno what had appeared like a priceless comfort.
Actual then halved the deficit on the Olympiastadion by Sanchez, permitting them to complete the job on dwelling soil.
Finely taken targets from Milan Jankovic and Michel had been sufficient to see Madrid by to the final 4, exhibiting as soon as once more {that a} Bernabeu return leg is one thing to be feared.
5
Actual Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (aet)
2013/14 Champions League closing
The fashionable period has additionally had its fair proportion of Madrid comebacks. Whereas Actual’s restoration within the 2014 closing was not from an enormous deficit, it was nonetheless a sport the place they had been moments from defeat.
Diego Godin’s purpose appeared to have given the La Liga champions a winner that might have secured a primary Champions League triumph, however Sergio Ramos’ header deep into added time arrange an additional interval.
From then on, Actual took management with three targets within the second half of additional time. Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored to seal ‘La Decima’ for Carlo Ancelotti’s facet.
6
Actual Madrid 3-2 Wolfsburg
2015/16 Champions League quarter-finals
Actual Madrid had been left shellshocked by a 2-0 defeat in Germany to an unfancied Wolfsburg facet caught in mid-table within the Bundesliga.
However Madrid turned across the tie fully inside 90 minutes prefer it was nothing, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick gave Los Blancos their quarter-final berth on their method to the trophy in 2016.
Wolfsburg had probabilities of their very own to seal it for themselves, however Ronaldo’s third – a free-kick by the guests’ wall – handed Actual yet one more comeback victory.
7
Actual Madrid 6-5 Man Metropolis (aet)
2021/22 Champions League semi-finals
Actual had been absolutely the epitome of being useless and buried of their semi-final tie with Manchester Metropolis in 2022 earlier than miraculously pulling two targets out of nowhere.
Metropolis appeared set for consecutive Champions League closing appearances when Riyad Mahrez had put Metropolis in entrance on the Bernabeu, stretching their combination result in 5-3.
With time ticking into the ninetieth minute, Rodrygo nipped in for what would certainly have been a comfort, with solely six added minutes remaining.
Rodrygo solely wanted yet one more to improbably stage the scores, heading in from Dani Carvajal’s cross.
Karim Benzema then completed Metropolis off in additional time as Actual Madrid made one other Champions League closing.
8
Actual Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich
2023/24 Champions League semi-finals
By this level, Actual Madrid’s never-say-die angle within the Champions League was frequent data, a lot in order that even with Bayern Munich on the verge of a semi-final victory in 2024, they by no means actually felt secure.
Madrid had salvaged a first-leg draw because of Vinicius Jr.’s penalty, however when Alphonso Davies spectacularly put Bayern in entrance on the Bernabeu, the Bavarians had been favourites to progress to the ultimate.
An unlikely hero in Joselu rescued Actual two minutes from time, pouncing on Manuel Neuer’s mistake to stage issues once more.
And simply when the perimeters should have been mentally getting ready for additional time, the previous Newcastle United striker despatched Actual to Wembley after a VAR examine dramatically allowed his winner to face, cueing mass celebrations.
Actual Madrid would wish to carry out comparable heroics to repeat these scenes in opposition to Arsenal, and historical past appears to trace that something is feasible.
