The Europa League final has seen its fair share of dramatic comebacks over the years, with some of the most memorable matches in recent history featuring incredible turnarounds that have left fans on the edge of their seats. From last-minute goals to stunning second-half performances, these games have showcased the never-say-die attitude of some of Europe’s top clubs.
One of the greatest comebacks in Europa League final history came in 2019, when Chelsea faced off against Arsenal in an all-English showdown. The Blues found themselves trailing 1-0 at halftime after a goal from Alex Iwobi put the Gunners ahead. However, Chelsea came out firing in the second half and quickly turned things around with goals from Pedro and Eden Hazard to take a 2-1 lead. Despite Arsenal equalizing late in the game, it was Hazard who would prove to be the hero once again as he scored his second goal to secure a 4-1 victory for Chelsea.
Another unforgettable comeback took place in 2018 when Atletico Madrid faced off against Marseille in Lyon. After falling behind early on thanks to a goal from Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa, Atletico fought back with goals from Antoine Griezmann and Gabi to take a commanding 2-1 lead heading 歐聯決賽 into halftime. The Spanish side continued their dominance in the second half, adding two more goals to seal a comfortable 3-0 win and lift their third Europa League trophy.
In 2017, Manchester United staged an incredible comeback against Ajax in Stockholm. After going down early due to a deflected shot from Paul Pogba that gave United an early lead, Ajax looked poised for victory as they dominated possession throughout much of the match. However, United’s resilience paid off as Henrikh Mkhitaryan doubled their lead before Chris Smalling added another goal late in the game to secure a convincing 3-0 win.
Perhaps one of the most iconic comebacks in Europa League final history came back in 2005 when CSKA Moscow faced off against Sporting Lisbon at Estadio Jose Alvalade. After falling behind by two goals early on thanks to strikes from Rogerio Matias and Liedson, CSKA mounted an incredible comeback with three unanswered goals courtesy of Aleksei Berezutski, Yuri Zhirkov and Vagner Love to claim a stunning 3-2 victory.
These remarkable turnarounds serve as reminders that anything can happen on football’s biggest stage. Whether it’s through sheer determination or moments of individual brilliance, these matches have shown us that no lead is safe until the final whistle blows.
As we look ahead to future Europa League finals, fans can only hope for more thrilling comebacks like those we’ve witnessed over the years. With so much talent on display and so many passionate teams vying for glory, there’s no telling what surprises may be waiting just around the corner.
So next time you find yourself watching a Europa League final unfold before your eyes, remember that anything is possible – including witnessing one of football’s greatest turnarounds right before your very eyes.
