Importance Score: 55 / 100 🔵
Real Madrid confronts a significant challenge in the Champions League after succumbing to a 3-0 defeat against Arsenal in the quarter-final first leg. The Spanish giants struggled to impose themselves in North London on Tuesday night, as Arsenal asserted dominance throughout the match.
Gunners Dominate First Leg
Arsenal’s triumph was highlighted by a brace of exquisite free-kicks from Declan Rice, each finding the net past Real Madrid’s goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Remarkably, these were Rice’s first free-kick goals in his professional career. Mikel Merino further compounded Real Madrid’s woes with a third goal, while Eduardo Camavinga’s dismissal in added time, receiving a second yellow card, added insult to injury for the Spanish side under Carlo Ancelotti.
History Favors Madrid for Comeback
Despite the substantial deficit, many football enthusiasts believe Real Madrid possesses the pedigree to overturn a 3-0 disadvantage. As the most decorated club in Champions League history, with 15 titles, Los Blancos have a legacy of defying expectations. Carlo Ancelotti’s squad can draw inspiration from historical precedents within the competition, where improbable comebacks from 3-0 first-leg losses have occurred, demonstrating that the tie is far from decided.
Champions League History of 3-0 Comebacks
Here are instances in the Champions League where teams have successfully overturned a 3-0 first-leg deficit, offering a glimmer of hope for Real Madrid.
Deportivo La Coruna 4-0 AC Milan (agg 5-4), 2003-04
In a memorable April encounter 21 years prior, Deportivo La Coruna etched their name into underdog folklore by reversing a 4-1 first-leg loss against the formidable AC Milan. The early 2000s marked a golden era for AC Milan, boasting iconic players like Kaka, Andrea Pirlo, and Paolo Maldini.
First-leg goals from Kaka, Pirlo, and Andriy Shevchenko appeared to secure a commanding lead for the Italian powerhouse heading into the return fixture in Spain. However, in a stunning turnaround, La Coruna dismantled the Italian defense, scoring four goals to secure an aggregate victory. Notably, three of these goals arrived in the first half, leveling the tie before halftime.
Fran’s decisive 76th-minute goal sealed a remarkable and unexpected triumph for the Spanish underdogs, propelling them into the semi-finals. Their journey was eventually halted by Jose Mourinho’s Porto, the eventual tournament champions. Deportivo’s season concluded with a commendable third-place finish in La Liga, adding further luster to their sensational season, embellished by their Champions League exploits against AC Milan.
Barcelona 5-1 Paris Saint-Germain (agg 6-5), 2016-17
Unai Emery, then manager of PSG, might have felt secure after his team’s dominant 4-0 victory over Barcelona in the first leg of their last-16 clash. A stellar performance featuring Angel Di Maria, Julian Draxler and Edinson Cavani established PSG as overwhelming favorites to progress. Barcelona, however, returned to the Nou Camp facing an immense challenge to salvage the tie.
Fueled by the legendary attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar, affectionately known as “MSN,” Barcelona orchestrated a phenomenal resurgence in the Catalan capital. An early goal from Suarez just three minutes into the match ignited hope for a comeback. PSG then faltered defensively, conceding an own goal by Kurzawa and a penalty converted by Messi.
Although Cavani managed to score for PSG in the 62nd minute, a sensational free-kick and subsequent penalty from Neymar swung the momentum back towards Barcelona, bringing the score to 5-1. With PSG seemingly destined for qualification on away goals, Sergi Roberto dramatically connected with a Neymar cross in the dying moments. The Nou Camp erupted in jubilation as Barcelona completed an unbelievable comeback, securing their place in the next round in what is considered a Champions League classic.
Roma 3-0 Barcelona (agg 4-4), 2017-18
In a twist of fate, Barcelona experienced the bitter taste of a comeback defeat in the following Champions League seasons. After securing a comfortable 4-1 first-leg advantage against Roma, courtesy of two own goals, a Suarez strike, and a Pique goal, Barcelona seemed destined for the quarter-finals.
The return leg in Rome set the stage for an Italian miracle, immortalized by Peter Drury’s iconic commentary. Edin Dzeko, formerly of Manchester City, initiated the comeback with an early goal. Daniele De Rossi, a Roma icon, then converted a penalty in the 58th minute, intensifying the pressure.
In the 82nd minute, Kostas Manolas’s header at the near post completed the improbable turnaround, sending Roma through to the semi-finals on away goals. Drury’s now-legendary commentary captured the sheer disbelief and elation: “Roma have risen from their ruins! Manolas, the Greek God in Rome! The unthinkable unfolds before our eyes. This was not meant to happen, this could not happen… this is happening!” This extraordinary resurrection propelled Roma into the semi-finals, marking a night eternally etched in the Stadio Olimpico’s history.
Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona (agg 4-3) 2018-19
Barcelona supporters faced further Champions League heartache the subsequent season as their team relinquished another substantial lead in the second leg. Lionel Messi’s breathtaking free-kick headlined the first leg at Camp Nou, contributing to Barcelona’s commanding 3-0 advantage over a strong Liverpool side. Even Jurgen Klopp could only manage a wry smile at the brilliance of Messi’s set piece.
Anfield, however, became the stage for another Champions League miracle. Facing a dominant Barcelona team, widely favored to win the competition, Liverpool needed a herculean effort. Liverpool initiated their comeback swiftly, with Divock Origi tapping in a rebound, igniting a spark of hope within the Anfield faithful.
Anfield Erupts as Liverpool Overturn Deficit
A rapid-fire double from Georginio Wijnaldum within two second-half minutes remarkably leveled the aggregate score, setting up a tense final half hour of regulation time. In a moment of genius and quick-thinking, Trent Alexander-Arnold, now linked with Real Madrid, delivered a corner that caught the Barcelona defense completely unaware. Origi capitalized on the opportunity, clinically finishing to score the decisive fourth goal.
The stunning result propelled Liverpool to the Champions League final, where they triumphed over Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 to secure the coveted trophy. Barcelona, meanwhile, were left to grapple with the agonizing question of what went wrong in another dramatic European collapse.