Some matches outlive their result and become part of the game’s folklore. We ranked the greatest European Cup nights on drama, stakes and the sheer disbelief they produced.

1. 1

   Liverpool 3–3 AC Milan

   2005 final, Istanbul

   Three down at half-time, level by the hour, champions on penalties — the Miracle of Istanbul.

2. 2

   Manchester United 2–1 Bayern Munich

   1999 final, Barcelona

   Two injury-time goals to complete the treble; football, bloody hell.

3. 3

   Barcelona 6–1 Paris Saint-Germain

   2017 round of 16

   Four goals down from the first leg, overturned with three in the final seven minutes — La Remontada.

4. 4

   Liverpool 4–0 Barcelona

   2019 semi-final

   A three-goal first-leg deficit erased at Anfield, sealed by the cheekiest corner in history.

5. 5

   Real Madrid 3–1 Manchester City

   2022 semi-final

   Two goals in stoppage time to force extra time, the centrepiece of Madrid’s impossible run.

6. 6

   Real Madrid 7–3 Eintracht Frankfurt

   1960 final, Glasgow

   Di Stéfano and Puskás share ten goals in the most dazzling final the competition has staged.

7. 7

   Roma 3–0 Barcelona

   2018 quarter-final

   A three-goal deficit overturned on a delirious night at the Stadio Olimpico.

8. 8

   Deportivo 4–0 AC Milan

   2004 quarter-final

   Holders and 4–1 up, Milan were swept away by a Deportivo side at the peak of their powers.

9. 9

   AC Milan 4–0 Barcelona

   1994 final, Athens

   Capello’s Milan produced a masterclass to dismantle Cruyff’s Dream Team.

10. 10

    Tottenham 3–2 Ajax

    2019 semi-final

    A Lucas Moura hat-trick, completed in the last seconds, on the same night Liverpool stunned Barcelona.

A LeaguePaper editorial ranking — opinion, offered for argument.