Champions League finals where the better team lost

Undeserved

The final of football's most prestigious club competition has witnessed some extraordinary upsets where statistics tell a different story to the final score. These six Champions League finals saw the superior team on the night fall short, proving that dominance doesn't always guarantee victory in football's most unforgiving arena.

1998/99: Bayern Munich 1-2 Manchester United

Bayern Munich dominated the 1999 final at Barcelona's Camp Nou, taking an early lead and controlling proceedings for almost the entire match. The German champions appeared destined for their first European Cup since 1976, with officials even preparing Bayern ribbons for the trophy presentation ceremony, according to UEFA.

Fergie Time strikes twice

With Bayern players already mentally celebrating their triumph, Manchester United's never-say-die attitude emerged in the most dramatic fashion imaginable. Teddy Sheringham's equaliser (pictured) in the first minute of injury time was followed by Ole Gunnar Solskjær's winner just moments later, completing one of sport's greatest turnarounds.

2004/05: Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (3-2 on penalties)

AC Milan arrived in Istanbul as overwhelming favourites, boasting a squad packed with world-class talent including Kaká, Andrea Pirlo and Paolo Maldini. Liverpool, despite their illustrious European history, were considered significant underdogs against Carlo Ancelotti's star-studded team that had dominated the first half of the 2000s.

The miracle of Istanbul

Milan's first-half dominance seemed to settle the contest, with goals from Maldini and Hernán Crespo (two) giving them a commanding 3-0 lead. However, Liverpool's extraordinary six-minute second-half comeback through Steven Gerrard (left), Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso created one of football's greatest comebacks, setting up a dramatic finale.

Dudek's heroics

Then, to keep them in the game, Jerzy Dudek (pictured) produced arguably the greatest goalkeeping performance in final history, making crucial saves, including a double save from Andriy Shevchenko in extra time. Subsequent spot-kick stops from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko in the shootout secured Liverpool's fifth European Cup triumph against all odds.

2009/10: Inter Milan 2-0 Bayern Munich

José Mourinho's Inter Milan arrived at the Bernabéu having eliminated both Barcelona and Chelsea in spectacular fashion. Bayern Munich, seeking their first European Cup since 2001, were favourites after their impressive semi-final victory over Lyon, but faced an Inter side renowned for their tactical discipline and counter-attacking prowess.

Clinical

Bayern dominated possession with 68% of the ball and registered 21 shots compared to Inter's 11, earning six corners to Inter's two. However, Inter managed seven shots on target to Bayern's six, demonstrating their clinical efficiency in front of goal. Manuel Neuer made five saves, while Júlio César was forced into six stops.

Perfect gameplan

Diego Milito's (pictured) brace secured Inter's first Champions League triumph since 1965, with both goals coming from swift counter-attacks that exposed Bayern's high defensive line. Mourinho's tactical plan worked perfectly as Inter absorbed pressure before striking with devastating effect, completing an unprecedented treble under the Portuguese master tactician.

Goalkeeping masterclass

Liverpool's superiority was overwhelming: 23 shots to Real's three, with nine efforts forcing saves compared to Madrid's solitary attempt on target. Thibaut Courtois (pictured) produced one of the greatest goalkeeping performances in final history, while his opposite number, Alisson, remained virtually unemployed throughout.

Riding their luck

Karim Benzema's disallowed goal early on could have changed everything, but VAR intervened. Instead, Vinicius Junior's (pictured) second-half strike proved decisive as Courtois continued his heroics. The Belgian's man-of-the-match display epitomised Real's tournament run - riding their luck when necessary while capitalising on crucial moments.

2011/12: Chelsea 1-1 Bayern Munich (4-3 on penalties)

Bayern Munich hosted the Champions League final at their own Allianz Arena in 2012, carrying the hopes of a nation desperate for European success. Roberto Di Matteo's Chelsea arrived as underdogs, having scraped through earlier rounds, but possessed the experience and defensive resilience to trouble any opponent on their day.

Dominance

The statistics painted a picture of complete Bayern dominance: 43 shots to Chelsea's nine, 20 corners to one, and 56% possession. Bayern registered seven shots on target compared to Chelsea's three, yet Petr Čech's (pictured) inspired goalkeeping and Chelsea's defensive organisation kept the Germans at bay throughout 120 minutes of relentless pressure.

Čech's finest hour

After Didier Drogba's equaliser (pictured) cancelled out Thomas Müller's opener, the final went to penalties. Čech, voted fans' man of the match after six saves during the game, saved spot-kicks from Ivica Olić and Bastian Schweinsteiger to secure Chelsea's first Champions League triumph in the most unlikely circumstances imaginable.

2018/19: Liverpool 2-0 Tottenham

Tottenham's maiden Champions League final represented the culmination of a remarkable journey under Mauricio Pochettino. Having overcome Ajax in that unforgettable semi-final comeback, Spurs faced Liverpool in Madrid with hopes of claiming their first European Cup, despite entering as underdogs against Jürgen Klopp's experienced finalists.

Controversial penalty

A controversial early penalty awarded for Moussa Sissoko's handball gave Liverpool the perfect start through Mohamed Salah, while Divock Origi's late strike (pictured) sealed victory despite Tottenham's sustained pressure throughout the encounter.