Real Madrid head into their quarter-final second leg against Arsenal facing a 3-0 deficit – something that would spell the end for most teams. But Los Blancos aren’t most teams.
The 15-time European champions have built a dynasty around unforgettable UCL nights at the Bernabéu, where no scoreline is safe and no comeback impossible.
So, if you’re wondering whether Real Madrid can summon the spirit of “La Remontada”, here are five iconic examples of when they made the unthinkable happen.
Bayern Munich – 2023/24 Semi-final
First Leg: Bayern 2-2 Real Madrid
Second Leg: Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern
Aggregate: Real Madrid 4-3 Bayern
Madrid were just minutes from elimination in last season’s semi-final.
After a thrilling 2-2 draw in Germany, the Bernabéu witnessed another late twist in the return leg. Alphonso Davies struck a stunning opener for Bayern in the 68th minute, and with time running out, it looked like Madrid were heading out.
But Ancelotti turned to Joselu — a journeyman striker and unlikely hero. In the 88th minute, he was in the right place to bundle home a rebound after a rare Manuel Neuer error. Then, just moments later, he popped up again to convert Rüdiger’s low cross and send the Bernabéu into chaos.
Madrid booked their ticket to the final, where they defeated Dortmund to lift their record-extending 15th Champions League trophy.
Relive Joselu’s winning goal from pitch side ?pic.twitter.com/e6AwzSnKij
— Bet9ja: The home of #betBOOM! ? (@Bet9jaOfficial) May 10, 2024
Manchester City – 2021/22 Semi-final
First Leg: Man City 4-3 Real Madrid
Second Leg: Real Madrid 3-1 Man City (AET)
Aggregate: Real Madrid 6-5 Man City
A semi-final that felt over with 89 minutes played.
Trailing 4-3 from the first leg, Madrid went further behind in the return after Riyad Mahrez’s goal in the 73rd minute. With City 5-3 up on aggregate and creating chances for a third on the night, Pep’s side looked certain to reach the final.
Then came Rodrygo.
The Brazilian scored twice in 90 seconds — first tapping in a Benzema cross, then heading home from Carvajal’s delivery — to level the tie and force extra time. Just five minutes into the added period, Benzema was brought down by Rúben Dias and coolly slotted home the winner.
Madrid stunned Europe. Again.
4 mayo 2022
— ?? Macroski ?? (@MMacroski) May 4, 2024
Dos años, de los 2 minutos que sacudieron el fútbol mundial y nos hicieron felices.
Real Madrid v Man City
Los 2 goles de Rodrygo, el éxtasis del Bernabéu.pic.twitter.com/HNrUps6uNc
Chelsea – 2021/22 Quarter-final
First Leg: Chelsea 1-3 Real Madrid
Second Leg: Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea (AET)
Aggregate: Real Madrid 5-4 Chelsea
After Benzema’s brilliant first-leg hat-trick in London, Madrid had a two-goal cushion heading home, but Chelsea came to the Bernabéu to fight.
Mount opened the scoring early, Rüdiger levelled the tie with a powerful header, and Werner’s clever finish gave Chelsea a 3-0 lead on the night and the aggregate advantage. Suddenly, Madrid were on the ropes.
But in the 80th minute, Luka Modric produced one of the best assists in UCL history – a trivela pass to Rodrygo, who volleyed past Mendy to take it to extra time. Benzema then stepped up once more, heading in from Viní Jr’s cross to seal another famous comeback.
? La última vez que nos enfrentamos al @ChelseaFC_Sp…
— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) March 17, 2023
™? @lukamodric10 ?? @rodrygogoes#UCL pic.twitter.com/Y9eJzXOqN0
Paris Saint-Germain – 2021/22 Round of 16
First Leg: PSG 1-0 Real Madrid
Second Leg: Real Madrid 3-1 PSG
Aggregate: Real Madrid 3-2 PSG
With Messi, Neymar and Mbappé leading the line, PSG were many people’s favourites.
Mbappé scored in both legs, the second coming in the 39th minute in Madrid, putting PSG 2-0 up on aggregate and seemingly in cruise control.
But that was the moment Karim Benzema took over.
First, he pressured Donnarumma into an error and pounced to score Madrid’s opener. Then came a Modric-led move for the second, and just seconds after the restart, Benzema fired in a third to complete a 17-minute hat-trick and knock PSG out.
Another legendary Bernabéu night.
A year since this Benzema hat-trick ??????@Benzema || #UCL pic.twitter.com/Ru8BHkoLi0
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) March 9, 2023
Atlético Madrid – 2013/14 Final
Final Score: Real Madrid 4-1 Atlético Madrid (AET)
La Décima. One of the most emotional and dramatic nights in club history.
Atleti led for almost the entire game after Diego Godín’s first-half header, and Madrid looked beaten – until Sergio Ramos rose in the 93rd minute to nod in from a Luka Modric corner.
The goal broke Atleti’s spirit, and they were spent in extra time
At that point, Real Madrid took control. Bale made it 2-1, Marcelo added a third, and Ronaldo’s penalty sealed a crushing 4-1 win. After 12 years of waiting, Madrid finally lifted their 10th European Cup – and did so in truly iconic fashion.
? #OTD in 2014, 'La Décima' in Lisbon…
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 24, 2020
?? Ramos, Bale, Marcelo & Ronaldo#UCL | @realmadriden pic.twitter.com/SMiTEnYjk0
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