If you’re a sports fan, you’ve probably wondered which are the most incredible comebacks in sports history. There’s probably nothing more memorable in sports than a revival story, a miraculous event in which the losing team turns the tables on its opponent and changes the course of what appeared to be an inevitable defeat. Whether you were on the winning end or the losing one as an invested spectator, or simply a neutral observer, all of the stories in our list showcase exactly what makes sports so compelling to millions of people around the world, and why they can become such passionate fans.
Should you enjoy the sports topic, make sure not to miss out on our list of The 10 Most Profitable US Sports Teams, and check us out for great sports-related lists in the future.
Now then, let’s take a look at our countdown and find out which are the most incredible comebacks in sports history.
10. West Germany National Team
Sport: Soccer
When: July 4, 1954, World Cup Final
Where: Wankdorf Stadium in Bern, Switzerland
How: 8 minutes into the most important match of the most important event in soccer, West Germany was already losing by two goals; Hungary was performing as everyone had expected. Yet then, something incredible happened, and by halftime, the German team had managed to get even. Finally, when the match was 6 minutes away from being over, Helmut Rahn scored Germany’s third goal. This dramatic victory is known as the Miracle of Bern.
That is just the first of the many dramatic, unforgettable moments in sports coming up on our list of the most incredible comebacks in sports history. Head to the next page to see more.
9. Philadelphia Flyers
Sport: Ice Hockey
When: May 2010, NHL Eastern Conference Semi-Finals
Where: TD Garden, Boston, Massachusetts and Wachovia Center, Philadelphia Pennsylvania
How: The Flyers’ performance in the NHL Eastern Conference Semi-Finals was a double comeback. First of all, they were facing elimination down 3 games to none against the Boston Bruins but ended up winning the series 4-3. Moreover, the last match of the series was as exciting as the series itself, for Philadelphia managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit in that game as well, winning both the game and the whole series 4-3 as a result.
8. Michigan State Spartans
Sport: Football
When: Week 7 of the 2006 season (NCAA)
Where: Ryan Field, Evanston, Illinois
How: Things didn’t look good for the Michigan State Spartans when they were losing 35-0 to the Northwestern Wildcats; not good at all. Miraculously, the Michigan team recovered and the final score of the game turned out to be 41-38. This victory is regarded as the biggest comeback in NCAA Division 1-A football history.
7. Boston Celtics
Sport: Basketball
When: Game 4 of the 2008 NBA finals
Where: Staples Center, Los Angeles, California
How: After the first quarter, the Los Angeles Lakers were leading 35-14, the largest first-quarter margin in the history of the NBA finals. Although the Lakers were able to hold their ground for most of the third quarter, leading by up to 24 points, the Celtics turned the tables and won the game 97-91; after 3 more games they also took home the NBA title of 2008.
6. Gary Player
Sport: Golf
When: 1978 Masters Tournament
Where: Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Georgia
How: Gary Player, the South African professional golfer, had already won the Masters Tournament twice by 1978. So when after the third day he found himself in 10th place, he was probably determined to show his worth. On the final day, Player managed to take the lead and win by one stroke, leaving everyone in awe.
5. France National Rugby Union Team
Sport: Rugby
When: 31 October 1999, Rugby World Cup Semi-Final
Where: Twickenham Stadium, London
How: When New Zealand was leading 24-10 in the second half, everyone assumed that the All-Blacks would go into the final after an easy game. However, the French surprisingly turned things around and went into the final after winning 43-31, with Christophe Lamaison as the indisputable star of the match.
4. Liverpool F.C.
Sport: Soccer
When: 25 May 2005, UEFA Champions League Final
Where: Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul, Turkey
How: What turned out to be one of the finest moments in the history of the Liverpool team started off as a rough match against the championship’s favorite, A.C. Milan. By halftime, the Italian side was crushing the English-based team 3-0, but in the second half Liverpool scored 3 goals in just six minutes and the game ended in a tie. After the penalties, Liverpool won their fifth European Cup in a historic comeback and match.
3. Oracle Team USA
Sport: Yacht Races
When: September 2013, 34th America’s Cup
Where: San Francisco, California
How: The 34th America’s Cup was not only the longest in history, both by number of days and races, but also one of the most exciting. The Oracle Team ended up overcoming an 8-1 deficit and defeating their challenger, Emirates Team New Zealand.
2. Buffalo Bills
Sport: Football
When: 3 January 1992, AFC Wild Card Game
Where: Rich Stadium, Buffalo, New York
How: The 1992 game in which the Buffalo Bills defeated the Houston Oilers was so significant to NFL’s history that it is widely known as “The Comeback”. By halftime the Bills were trailing 28-3, but they managed to eventually pick up from their 32-point deficit at one point and win the match in overtime, 41-38.
1. Boston Red Sox
Sport: Baseball
When: 2004 American League Championship Series
Where: Yankee Stadium, Bronx, New York and Fenway Park, Boston, Massachusetts
How: After winning the seven-game series, the Red Sox became the first to overcome a 3-0 deficit (winning the four subsequent games) in MLB history. In one of the most renowned and epic comebacks in sports history, the Red Sox defeated their hated rivals, the New York Yankees. All 7 games were exciting and memorable; for those of you who were not around when this happened, I strongly recommend that you start watching some videos of the 2004 ALCS online; it’s classic baseball, and a riveting example of rivalries in sports.
