The Top 5 Soccer Matches Ever [As in Ever]
I guess when you rely on sales for a living, and the deal you were banking on falls through at the last minute, there’s not much else to do but… try to come up with the Top 5 soccer matches of all time! But, of course, there are some rules here… it wouldn’t be a SimpleCoach production without them. Unfortunately, it wasn’t easy, with so many great games to choose from, but I didn’t want to go with the obvious ones. The Chief Dog Officer wouldn’t have approved, and she’s the boss after all.
So you might be wondering, what are those rules? Well, here they are –
First, not team can be represented twice. So if I chose that classic game in 1989 where Arrigio Sacchi’s AC Milan came close to perfection by defeating Real Madrid in the second game of the UEFA Champions League semifinals, I could not pick another AC Milan OR Real Madrid game.
Segundo, I have to have watched the game, when it was played. Now, for this exercise, some did require me to go back and watch those games, but I had to have been there in person or I had to have seen them live on television. Yeah, this is a stupid rule, but the SimpleCoach Rules Committee is to blame.
But, of course, there are some rules here… it wouldn’t be a SimpleCoach production without them.
Third, it had to be a consequential game. Meaning, there had to be something about that match that led to something important. For example, winning a trophy was not enough. The game had to represent a statement for a team, or the beginning of an era, or the game that should have been a final but was not.
So with that in mind, I managed to watch a whole lot of games over the Christmas break. From World Cup, league games, and tournaments. I also dabbled in some odd ball games from around that world that I was told were great games…. Liga Nacional de Fútbol de Guatemala? And no, I didn’t think they were great games.
Without further ado, here are the Top 5 Best Matches of All Time -
#5 – D.C. United – 3 vs Los Angeles Galaxy – 2, 1996 MLS Cup
Yes, a 1996 MLS game. We turn the clock back to October 20th, 1996, for a riveting MLS showdown between D.C. United and Los Angeles Galaxy. The match nearly postponed due to rain, both teams showcased skill through puddles. In a dramatic turn, D.C. United came from behind to secure a 3-2 victory in overtime. Watch the highlights of this epic encounter!” The Galaxy, led by Cobi Jones and Jorge Campos, took a 2-goal lead midway through the second half. But D.C. United, then coached by Bruce Arena and led by stars Marco Etcheverry and Jaime Moreno, came back late to force the game into extra time, during which rookie Eddie Pope scored a “golden goal” to give United the first ever MLS title.
#4 – USA – 3 v Portugal – 2, 2002 World Cup
At number four, we rewind to the 2002 World Cup when the underdog United States faced Euro 2000 semi-finalists Portugal. In a spectacular match on June 5, 2002, the U.S. pulled off a stunning 3-2 victory. Goals from O’Brien, McBride, and a Jorge Costa own goal showcased the unpredictability of the beautiful game.
#3 – Italy – 3 vs Brazil – 2, 1982 World Cup Quarterfinal Match Up
At number three, we revisit the 1982 World Cup quarter-final featuring an epic clash between Italy and Brazil. Paolo Rossi’s memorable hat-trick led Italy to a thrilling 3-2 victory, setting the stage for their eventual World Cup triumph. An absolute classic!
#2 – Manchester City 3 QPR 2, Premier League 2011-2012
At number two, we fast forward to the Premier League’s 2011-2012 season’s final day. Manchester City faced relegation-threatened QPR, needing a win for the title. The match ended 3-2 in City’s favor, with a dramatic last-minute winner by Sergio Aguero. The title was secured in the dying moments. And finally, quite possibly the greatest game of all time. It had the drama, the controversy, cards, and it marked a future path of a team that will go down as one of the greatest of all time.
#1.5 – Argentina – 3(4) France -3(2) – 2022 World Cup Final
We, all of us at SimpleCoach HQ, have been debating this one. And I wasn’t sure I would include this one to the list. An epic game indeed. One for the ages. The game that cemented Leo Messi as the greatest soccer player… ever. Argentina did win the World Cup. It went the distance and some great technical soccer was played. But is it one of those games that stands the test of time? As I was doing my pre-season training while I was considering the list , I watched the game a few more times and watched the highlights. And this game is epic. Consider this late addition to the Top 5… hence the 1.5. And who knows, in a few years, maybe it will go down as the greatest final in World Cup history.
#1 – Chelsea – 1 vs Barcelona – 1 UCL Semi-final 2009, 2nd Leg
At number one, we revisit the epic UEFA Champions League semi-final second leg from 2009 – Chelsea vs Barcelona. A night filled with drama and controversy, Chelsea took an early lead through Michael Essien’s incredible volley. However, Barcelona fought back, and a heartbreaking 93rd-minute equalizer by Iniesta denied Chelsea a well-deserved win. And this game goes down in infamy. Hand ball? What hand ball? Pre-VAR days sometimes are the best examples as to why… we need VAR?
I know. Why didn’t you call it the Top 6? Well, I don’t know. I have great ideas that I forget why they were great ideas. Regardless, the games are all outstanding in their own right. The soccer is fantastic. The emotion is real. They were seminal in their own right. And go down in history the best games in history. I hope you enjoy as much as I have. And if you disagree, feel free to leave your list in the replies!
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