Real Madrid's Greatest Champions League Comebacks
Real Madrid fans have a word for it: "remontada", the comeback. Few clubs have made it a habit like Madrid. Opponents can play them off the park for 85 minutes and still lose. Here's a selection of their great comebacks, with the aggregate scores and context checked. We'll be clear about what kind of comeback each one was: a two-legged knockout tie, a single game, or a final.
Why the context matters
In a two-legged tie, what counts is the aggregate score across both games, so a comeback can mean overturning a first-leg deficit. In a final, it's a single game, and the comeback happens within 90 or 120 minutes. Don't mix them up, or someone at the bar will correct you, loudly.
Real Madrid's 15 European titles are covered in our history of Real Madrid.
Final: 24 May 2014 — Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (after extra time), Lisbon
Single match. Atlético led through Diego Godín's first-half header and were seconds from the title. In stoppage time Sergio Ramos headed in Luka Modrić's corner to make it 1-1. In extra time Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo scored, and Real won La Décima, their tenth European title. The equaliser came at 92 minutes 48 seconds, a time Madrid fans know by heart.
Quarter-final 2016: Real Madrid vs Wolfsburg
Two-legged tie. Real lost the first leg 2-0 in Germany. In the second leg at the Bernabéu, Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hat-trick in a 3-0 win, sending Madrid through 3-2 on aggregate. They went on to win the trophy in Milan.
The 2021–22 run: three comebacks in a row
The 2021–22 campaign was remarkable. Carlo Ancelotti's side came back in three consecutive knockout ties before winning the final.
Round of 16: Paris Saint-Germain
PSG won the first leg 1-0 in Paris and led 1-0 in the second leg through Kylian Mbappé, so 2-0 on aggregate. Karim Benzema then scored a 17-minute hat-trick at the Bernabéu to win 3-1 on the night. Real went through 3-2 on aggregate.
Quarter-final: Chelsea
Real won the first leg 3-1 at Stamford Bridge, thanks to a Benzema hat-trick. In Madrid, Chelsea led 3-0 on the night and were ahead on aggregate. Rodrygo volleyed in a late goal from Modrić's outside-of-the-foot pass to force extra time, and Benzema headed the winner. Chelsea won the second leg 3-2, but Real went through 5-4 on aggregate.
Semi-final: Manchester City
City won the first leg 4-3 in Manchester. In the second leg, Riyad Mahrez put City ahead, making it 5-3 on aggregate going into stoppage time. Rodrygo scored twice in about two minutes to level the tie, and Benzema scored a penalty in extra time. Real won 3-1 on the night and 6-5 on aggregate. City fans would rather we didn't mention it.
Final: Liverpool
Not a comeback, but it completed the story. Vinícius Júnior scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over Liverpool in Paris, and Thibaut Courtois made a string of saves. It was Real's 14th European title.
Semi-final 2024: Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich
Two-legged tie. The first leg in Munich finished 2-2. In the second leg at the Bernabéu, Alphonso Davies put Bayern ahead. Substitute Joselu scored in the 88th minute and again in stoppage time to win 2-1 on the night and 4-3 on aggregate. Real beat Borussia Dortmund 2-0 at Wembley in the final for title number 15.
The Bernabéu effect
Many of these comebacks happened at the Santiago Bernabéu, where the crowd seems to believe the late goal is coming. We can't measure that, and opinions vary on how much it helps. Opponents do keep mentioning it, though.
Timeline of featured comebacks
| Season | Opponent / stage | Type | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2013–14 | Atlético Madrid — final | Single match | 4-1 after extra time |
| 2015–16 | Wolfsburg — quarter-final | Two legs | 0-2, 3-0 (3-2 agg) |
| 2021–22 | PSG — round of 16 | Two legs | 0-1, 3-1 (3-2 agg) |
| 2021–22 | Chelsea — quarter-final | Two legs | 3-1, 2-3 aet (5-4 agg) |
| 2021–22 | Man City — semi-final | Two legs | 3-4, 3-1 aet (6-5 agg) |
| 2023–24 | Bayern Munich — semi-final | Two legs | 2-2, 2-1 (4-3 agg) |
A Champions League night in Madrid
Fancy seeing a Bernabéu night for yourselves? Our Real Madrid trips page and Champions League page explain how we can help. Fixtures depend on the draw and tickets on availability, and we don't arrange flights. A late winner is also not guaranteed.
Frequently asked questions
What was Real Madrid's comeback against Manchester City in 2022?
Trailing 5-3 on aggregate in stoppage time of the second leg, Rodrygo scored twice and Benzema scored an extra-time penalty; Real won 6-5 on aggregate.
When did Sergio Ramos score his famous late equaliser?
In the 2014 final against Atlético Madrid in Lisbon, at 92 minutes 48 seconds.
How many Champions League titles have Real Madrid won?
Fifteen European Cup and Champions League titles, the latest in 2024.
Is a final a two-legged comeback?
No — finals are single matches, so comebacks happen within one game.
Sources and further reading
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