As we dive into the second half of the 2025-2026 season, it’s the ideal moment to reflect on the most memorable soccer matches and dramatic comebacks of 2025. Here’s my top four that defined the year:
4. Juventus 4 – 3 Inter Milan, Serie A
This thrilling contest in the Derby d’Italia had to make my top four. Lloyd Kelly started the scoring with an early volley, before Hakan Çalhanoğlu equalised with a great finish from outside the box. Youngster Kenan Yıldız restored the lead for Juve with an incredible long shot, and another amazing outside-the-box finish from Çalhanoğlu leveled the score yet again in the second half. Soon after, Marcus Thuram gave Inter the lead with a towering header, and just minutes later, his brother Khéphren scored a header to make it 3-3. Finally, in the first minute of stoppage time, 19-year-old Vasilije Adžić won the game with a magnificent goal from miles out, his first for Juventus. This fantastic game in one of Italy’s fiercest rivalries is surely one of the best of 2025.
3. Benfica 4 – 5 Barcelona, UCL League Phase
This nine-goal thriller surely deserves a spot in this ranking. Benfica shot into an early lead with a goal from Pavlidis, and Lewandowski equalized from the penalty spot soon after. Pavlidis grabbed a second just minutes later, before completing his hat trick in the 30th minute with a penalty. In the second half, an awkward header from Raphinha gave Barcelona a goal back, but Benfica reestablished their two-goal lead just four minutes later after an own goal from Araújo. Lewandowski converted his second penalty of the game to make it 4-3, and a header from Eric García leveled the scoreline soon after. Finally, in the last few moments, Raphinha scored his second to make it 5-4 and win the game for Barça. This incredible comeback by Barcelona in Lisbon earns them a mention in this top-four ranking.
2. Inter Milan 4 – 3 Barcelona, UCL Semi-final Leg 2
After a 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Camp Nou, this second leg decided who would progress to the Champions League final. Lautaro Martínez opened the scoring for Inter in the 21st minute, and Çalhanoğlu doubled their lead just before halftime with a penalty. In the second half, Eric García scored a great volley to get one back for Barça, and a header from Dani Olmo leveled the scoreline. Late in the game, Raphinha scored to give Barcelona the lead and almost surely secure their spot in the Champions League final. In the final seconds, Francesco Acerbi scored to bring Inter Milan level and send the game to extra time, where Frattesi would win it for Inter in the 99th minute. Barcelona almost came back and won, but Inter ultimately progressed to the Champions League final, which they lost 5-0 to PSG in a brutal end to an unforgettable tie.
1. Manchester United 5 – 4 Lyon, UEL Quarter-final Leg 2
This was undoubtedly the greatest match and the most incredible comeback of the year. After a 2-2 draw in the first leg, it was all down to the second leg at Old Trafford to decide who progressed to the final four. Manuel Ugarte gave United an early lead in the 10th minute before Diogo Dalot doubled their lead just before halftime. In the second half, a header from Tolisso and a goal from Tagliafico brought Lyon level. Tolisso then got sent off and the game went to extra time. In the 105th minute, Rayan Cherki gave Lyon the lead for the first time, and a penalty from Lacazette five minutes later extended their lead to two, almost surely sending Lyon to the semi-final. That’s when Man United began the greatest comeback of 2025. A 114th-minute penalty from Bruno Fernandes gave the fans hope. In the 120th minute, Mainoo scored an equalizer to send the game to penalties…or so it seemed. Just 86 seconds later, Harry Maguire got on the end of a cross by Casemiro to head the ball into the back of the net, securing a 5-4 win for Man United and an Old Trafford night for the ages.
There were many thrilling soccer matches this year, including Manchester City vs. Fulham, Spain vs. France, Barcelona vs. Madrid, and Italy vs. Israel, that just missed out on my top four. Hopefully, we will see many more exciting games and incredible moments in 2026.
