Sports are filled with unforgettable moments, but few are as thrilling as a big comeback. There’s nothing more exciting than watching an underdog rise from the ashes or a struggling team defy the odds to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. These comebacks often require not only skill but also heart, resilience, and determination – qualities that make sports truly inspiring.
Here, we’ll look at some of the most legendary comebacks in sports history. These incredible moments prove that in sports, it’s never truly over until the final whistle, buzzer, or bell.
1. Red Sox vs. Yankees – 2004 ALCS
In the world of baseball, few rivalries are as intense as the one between the Boston Red Sox and the New York Yankees. The 2004 American League Championship Series (ALCS) will go down as one of the greatest comebacks in baseball – and all sports – history.
The Yankees were up 3-0 in the best-of-seven series, needing only one more win to go to the World Series. No team had ever come back from a 3-0 deficit in MLB playoff history. But the Red Sox defied the odds, winning four straight games to take the series 4-3. They went on to win the World Series, ending an 86-year championship drought known as the “Curse of the Bambino.”
Key Moment: Dave Roberts’ stolen base in Game 4, which led to the tying run and sparked the comeback.
2. Liverpool vs. AC Milan – 2005 UEFA Champions League Final
The 2005 UEFA Champions League final between Liverpool and AC Milan is often referred to as the “Miracle of Istanbul.” AC Milan took an early 3-0 lead by halftime, leaving Liverpool with what seemed like an impossible task.
But in the second half, Liverpool mounted one of the most memorable comebacks in football history. Within six minutes, they scored three goals to level the game 3-3. After a goalless extra time, Liverpool went on to win in a dramatic penalty shootout, securing their fifth European Cup.
Key Moment: Steven Gerrard’s header to make it 3-1, which inspired the team to believe they could complete the comeback.
3. New England Patriots vs. Atlanta Falcons – Super Bowl LI (2017)
In Super Bowl LI, the New England Patriots were down 28-3 to the Atlanta Falcons midway through the third quarter. With only about 20 minutes left to play, the Patriots were facing what looked like an insurmountable deficit.
But Tom Brady led the Patriots on a historic comeback, scoring 25 unanswered points to tie the game 28-28, forcing the first-ever overtime in Super Bowl history. In overtime, the Patriots won the coin toss and drove down the field to score the game-winning touchdown, completing one of the greatest comebacks in NFL history.
Key Moment: James White’s game-winning touchdown in overtime.
4. Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Golden State Warriors – 2016 NBA Finals
The Cleveland Cavaliers and the Golden State Warriors met in the 2016 NBA Finals, with the Warriors having set an NBA record with 73 wins that season. The Warriors quickly went up 3-1 in the series, and it seemed like their championship was all but certain.
However, led by LeBron James and Kyrie Irving, the Cavaliers fought back, winning three straight games to clinch the series in Game 7. This marked the first time in NBA history that a team had come back from a 3-1 deficit in the Finals. It was also Cleveland’s first NBA championship, ending a 52-year title drought for the city.
Key Moment: LeBron James’ iconic chase-down block on Andre Iguodala in Game 7.
5. Tiger Woods – 2019 Masters
Tiger Woods was once considered untouchable in golf, but a series of injuries and personal challenges caused him to fall from grace. By 2019, few believed Woods would ever return to his former glory. However, Woods shocked the world at the 2019 Masters.
Starting the final round two strokes behind the leader, Woods played a stunning final round to capture his fifth green jacket and 15th major title – his first major win in 11 years. This comeback was not only about one tournament but a return to the top for a man who had once dominated golf.
Key Moment: Woods’ birdie on the 15th hole that put him in control of the tournament.
6. Manchester United vs. Bayern Munich – 1999 UEFA Champions League Final
In the 1999 Champions League final, Manchester United were trailing 1-0 to Bayern Munich as the game entered injury time. Bayern was already celebrating, and it looked like United’s hopes were gone.
In an unbelievable turn of events, United scored twice in stoppage time to win 2-1. The goals came from Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjær, securing a dramatic victory and completing United’s treble of Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League that season.
Key Moment: Solskjær’s winning goal in the dying seconds of the game.
7. Michael Jordan’s Comeback – 1995
Michael Jordan is arguably the greatest basketball player of all time, but his story includes a comeback that stunned the world. After retiring from basketball in 1993 to pursue a career in baseball, Jordan returned to the NBA in 1995.
Although his initial return season ended without a title, he led the Chicago Bulls to three straight championships from 1996 to 1998. His comeback solidified his legacy and made the 1990s Bulls one of the greatest dynasties in sports history.
Key Moment: Jordan’s famous “I’m back” announcement, marking his return to the NBA.
8. The Miracle on Ice – 1980 Winter Olympics
The “Miracle on Ice” is one of the most famous upsets in sports history, and it’s also an incredible comeback story. During the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid, the United States men’s hockey team – made up of mostly college players – faced off against the heavily favored Soviet Union team in the semifinals.
The Soviet team had dominated international hockey for years, and no one expected the Americans to stand a chance. But Team USA rallied from a 3-2 deficit to win 4-3, and they went on to win the gold medal. This game wasn’t just a comeback in terms of score, but a symbolic victory during a tense period in the Cold War.
Key Moment: Mike Eruzione’s game-winning goal in the third period.
9. Boston Celtics vs. LA Lakers – 2008 NBA Finals, Game 4
The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Lakers have one of the biggest rivalries in NBA history. In Game 4 of the 2008 NBA Finals, the Celtics found themselves down by 24 points in the third quarter. Losing this game would have tied the series at 2-2, giving the Lakers a chance to swing the momentum.
Instead, the Celtics launched the biggest comeback in NBA Finals history, eventually winning the game 97-91. This win gave them a 3-1 series lead, and they went on to win the championship in six games.
Key Moment: Ray Allen’s clutch shots that helped Boston take the lead late in the game.
10. Denver Nuggets vs. Utah Jazz & LA Clippers – 2020 NBA Playoffs
In the 2020 NBA Playoffs, the Denver Nuggets did something unprecedented: they came back from a 3-1 series deficit not once, but twice. First, they rallied from 3-1 down to defeat the Utah Jazz in the first round. Then, in the Western Conference Semifinals, they repeated the feat against the heavily favored LA Clippers, coming back from another 3-1 deficit.
This double comeback made NBA history, as no team had ever overcome a 3-1 deficit twice in a single playoffs. Led by Jamal Murray and Nikola Jokic, the Nuggets’ resilience left a lasting mark on the 2020 playoffs.
Key Moment: Jamal Murray’s explosive performances in elimination games.
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