Real Madrid are in the unfamiliar position of being underdogs ahead of their Champions League tie against Arsenal, with Los Blancos hoping to overturn a three-goal deficit.
It’s not often that the 15-time European champions are in such a bleak position, but if there is one team in Europe you wouldn’t put a miraculous comeback past, it’s Madrid.
Unfortunately for Arsenal, the Champions League (and the European Cup) has seen plenty of Real comebacks, as if there was any reminder needed that this tie is far from over.
Here, we take a look back at 8 times Real Madrid staged a Champions League comeback when all looked lost.
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1
Real Madrid 6-5 Derby County (aet)
1975/76 European Cup second round
Perhaps Real’s most impressive comeback in European competition, Los Blancos somehow fought back from a 4-1 first-leg defeat to win after extra time at the Santiago Bernabeu.
A hat-trick from ex-Arsenal forward Charlie George appeared to have put English champions Derby County in full control, even when Roberto Martinez (not that one) struck early in the return leg.
But quickfire second-half goals from Martinez and Santillana got Madrid within touching distance, with George’s consolation making little difference.
A late Pirri penalty set up an extra period, where Santillana got the eventual winner to finally put Real in front, 189 minutes into the tie.
2
Real Madrid 3-2 Celtic
1979/80 European Cup quarter-finals
Real were at it again as Celtic looked on the verge of securing a superb result following a 2-0 success at Parkhead.
However, the second leg saw the home side eventually take control, with Santillana’s goal on the stroke of half-time setting up a tense second period.
Following Uli Stielike’s equaliser, Real completed their comeback late on through Juanito’s late header.
3
Real Madrid 4-4 Red Star Belgrade
1986/87 European Cup quarter-finals
Having been 3-0 down at one point in the tie, Real Madrid’s away-goal victory over Red Star Belgrade is well worthy of a mention.
A brace from Hugo Sanchez gave Los Blancos a fighting chance ahead of their home leg, where they didn’t disappoint in front of their supporters.
Emilio Butragueno’s opener got the ball rolling, before a second-half header from Manolo Sanchis gave Madrid the most slender of leads.
Madrid held on to secure another comeback win, but they were beaten by Bayern Munich in the semis.
4
Real Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich
1987/88 European Cup quarter-finals
Real Madrid got their revenge on the Bavarians a year later, even after lulling the German side into a seemingly safe 3-0 lead.
Los Blancos didn’t get on the scoresheet until 85 minutes into the first leg after a mix-up in the Bayern defence gifted Butragueno what had looked like a valuable consolation.
Real then halved the deficit at the Olympiastadion through Sanchez, allowing them to finish the job on home soil.
Finely taken goals from Milan Jankovic and Michel were enough to see Madrid through to the last four, showing once again that a Bernabeu return leg is something to be feared.
5
Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (aet)
2013/14 Champions League final
The modern era has also had its fair share of Madrid comebacks. While Real’s recovery in the 2014 final was not from a huge deficit, it was nevertheless a game where they were moments from defeat.
Diego Godin’s goal looked to have given the La Liga champions a winner that would have secured a first Champions League triumph, but Sergio Ramos’ header deep into added time set up an extra period.
From then on, Real took control with three goals in the second half of extra time. Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo all scored to seal ‘La Decima’ for Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
6
Real Madrid 3-2 Wolfsburg
2015/16 Champions League quarter-finals
Real Madrid were left shellshocked by a 2-0 defeat in Germany to an unfancied Wolfsburg side stuck in mid-table in the Bundesliga.
But Madrid turned around the tie completely within 90 minutes like it was nothing, as Cristiano Ronaldo’s hat-trick gave Los Blancos their quarter-final berth on their way to the trophy in 2016.
Wolfsburg had chances of their own to seal it for themselves, but Ronaldo’s third – a free-kick through the visitors’ wall – handed Real yet another comeback victory.
7
Real Madrid 6-5 Man City (aet)
2021/22 Champions League semi-finals
Real were the absolute epitome of being dead and buried in their semi-final tie with Manchester City in 2022 before miraculously pulling two goals out of nowhere.
City looked set for consecutive Champions League final appearances when Riyad Mahrez had put City in front at the Bernabeu, stretching their aggregate lead to 5-3.
With time ticking into the 90th minute, Rodrygo nipped in for what would surely have been a consolation, with only six added minutes remaining.
Rodrygo only needed one more to improbably level the scores, heading in from Dani Carvajal’s cross.
Karim Benzema then finished City off in extra time as Real Madrid made another Champions League final.
8
Real Madrid 4-3 Bayern Munich
2023/24 Champions League semi-finals
By this point, Real Madrid’s never-say-die attitude in the Champions League was common knowledge, so much so that even with Bayern Munich on the verge of a semi-final victory in 2024, they never truly felt safe.
Madrid had salvaged a first-leg draw thanks to Vinicius Jr.’s penalty, but when Alphonso Davies spectacularly put Bayern in front at the Bernabeu, the Bavarians were favourites to progress to the final.
An unlikely hero in Joselu rescued Real two minutes from time, pouncing on Manuel Neuer’s mistake to level things again.
And just when the sides must have been mentally preparing for extra time, the former Newcastle United striker sent Real to Wembley after a VAR check dramatically allowed his winner to stand, cueing mass celebrations.
Real Madrid would need to perform similar heroics to repeat those scenes against Arsenal, and history seems to hint that anything is possible.
