Football fans and European clubs were reminded this season in the Champions League that no matter what’s the score, you must never give Real Madrid for dead until the final whistle.
Whenever this team is playing against the odds, they manage to turn around results in spectacular ways, proving to be one of the favorite clubs for fans passionate about sports betting.
It’s no surprise that the top betting sites have experienced a spike in registrations and bets this season whenever Real Madrid played in the Champions League. The adrenaline provided by such high-intensity games added to the multiple offers and welcome bonuses that betting sites in the UK offer their clients make Champions League bets a perfect match for football nights.
With 13 Champions League wins, Real Madrid is by far the most successful team in Europe, with AC Millan trailing behind with 7 trophies in its cabinet.
Let’s look at some of their best comebacks in European competitions:
Real Madrid vs Derby County (1976)
The 1976 Derby team was the English champion at that time but they still shocked continental football when they defeated Real Madrid 4-1 in the first leg at home. A Real Madrid side already accustomed to lineup some of the best players in Europa like Breitner, Amancio, or Santillana.
The second game in the Bernabeu in Madrid was a one-team show, with Real Madrid scoring the third goal of the game in the 56th minute. The match ended going to extra-time because of a Derby goal followed by a Real Madrid penalty, but in the overtime, the Spaniards scored another two goals to kill the knockout. This was the first time a club came back from a 3-goal deficit in European competitions.
Real Madrid vs Inter Milan (1986)
This is a match that remains in the history of Real Madrid because of the warning of Spanish player Juanito to the Italians after the 2-0 loss in Italy saying: “90 minutes in the Bernabeu are very long”.
Real Madrid equaled the score in the 90 minutes of play and then in extra time they signed the comeback with an emphatic 5-1 win.
From this moment on, Madrid fans would summon “Juanito’s Spirit” (in honor of the player who passed away in a car accident) when in need of turning around a score.
Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (2002)
2002 was the beginning of the ‘Galacticos’ era, a team comprising the likes of Raul, Figo, Roberto Carlos, and Zinedine Zidane among others.
Bayern Munich was and remains a powerhouse in European football and the encounters against Real Madrid always saw sparks fly.
On this occasion, Bayern got the best of Madrid in Germany with a 2-1 win, but in the return leg, goals by Helguera and Guti were enough to qualify the Spanish club for the final against Bayer Leverkusen that was won thanks to a wonder goal by Zidane.
Real Madrid vs Atletico de Madrid (2014)
One of the most important games in Real Madrid’s modern era. The first UCL final after 12 years, against their bitter city-rivals and with the chance to finally win a record tenth Champions League trophy.
Atletico de Madrid were up 1-0 since the first half and were almost ready to celebrate until a Sergio Ramos header in the 92nd minute of the match sent the game to extra time.
And once again in the extra time, Real Madrid annihilated their opposition with a 4-1 final score to certify one of the most remembered comebacks in Champions League history.
Real Madrid vs Wolfsburg (2016)
Real Madrid’s greatest comebacks history wouldn’t be complete without a Cristiano Ronaldo showcase of his talent and character.
It was in 2016, in Zidane’s first year as the first-team coach, and with a team on its way to the first of three consecutive Champions League trophies.
But this legendary squad almost sees its legacy stopped by Wolfsburg when the Germans shocked them 2-0 in the first leg.
Once again, Santiago Bernabeu stadium was the witness of a one-man show led by Cristiano Ronaldo. 3-0 win with an amazing hat-trick by the Portuguese forward.
Real Madrid in 2022 UCL
A first comeback against PSG (with Neymar, Messi, and Mbappé) in the round of 16. Then another one against Chelsea in the quarterfinals, and a last one in the semifinals against City, who were up in the scoreboard from the first minutes of the first leg until the 89th minute of the return game in Madrid, when Rodrygo scored a brace to send the game to extra time.
And as you must have learned, extra times are Real Madrid’s territory.
