Top 3 Football Classics: PSG‑Bayern, Istanbul 2005, Messi 2022

When Paris Saint‑Germain edged Bayern Munich 5‑4 in the Champions League semi‑final first leg on 14 April 2026, the reaction from the footballing establishment was immediate and unanimous.

Luis Enrique, the PSG manager, called it “without a doubt the best game” he had ever witnessed as a manager, while Bayern captain Vincent Kompany joked with his opposite number that he “hated it”.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel echoed the sentiment on CBS, saying he had never seen a better game live in his life.

The match delivered a relentless back‑and‑forth, with both sides creating high‑quality chances in rapid succession, a fact that will keep it in the pantheon of all‑time great contests.

From a tactical perspective, PSG pressed high, forcing Bayern into a 4‑3‑3 that struggled to contain the wingers of Kylian Mbappé and Ousmane Dembele.

Bayern responded by switching to a fluid 3‑5‑2, allowing Luis Diaz, Harry Kane and Michael Olise to interchange positions and exploit the spaces left by PSG’s advancing full‑backs.

The game’s opening goal came from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose dribble past three defenders set the tone for a night of individual brilliance.

Dembele added a second goal with a one‑touch finish after a quick give‑and‑go with Messi, demonstrating PSG’s quick‑tempo passing.

In the second half, Bayern’s resilience showed as Diaz equalised from a pinpoint free‑kick, while Kane’s aerial prowess produced a header that forced PSG’s goalkeeper into a spectacular save.

Olise’s late strike in the 88th minute completed the nine‑goal thriller, leaving both coaches to reflect on the fine margins that decided the encounter.

Statistically the match was a feast, as shown in the table below.

Team	Goals	Shots on Target
Paris Saint‑Germain	5	12
Bayern Munich	4	11

Beyond the numbers, the match featured a rare concentration of elite talent, with Kvaratskhelia, Dembele, and Messi for PSG and Diaz, Kane, and Olise for Bayern.

All three PSG attackers were involved in at least two goals each, highlighting the effectiveness of their inter‑changing roles.

Bayern’s front three combined for three assists, showcasing the fluidity of their attacking triangle.

The game also had broader implications for the competition, as PSG now held a one‑goal advantage heading into the return leg in Munich.

Should they preserve this lead, PSG would become the first French side to reach a Champions League final since 2021.

While the semi‑final captured global attention, other historic matches were recalled by writers tasked with naming the best game they had ever watched.

One selection was the 2005 Champions League final where Liverpool defeated Milan 3‑2 on penalties after a 3‑3 draw.

That match, famously known as “The Miracle of Istanbul,” featured a dramatic comeback, with Liverpool scoring three goals in the final six minutes.

Key moments included Steven Gerrard’s header, Vladimir Smicer’s long‑range strike, and Xabi Alonso’s rebound after a missed penalty.

Goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek’s double‑save in the shoot‑out cemented his place in football folklore.

Another writer highlighted the 2022 World Cup final where Argentina beat France on penalties after a 3‑3 draw.

Lionel Messi opened the scoring with a penalty, while Kylian Mbappé’s two‑minute double forced extra time.

Messi’s second goal and Mbappé’s hat‑trick‑like performance (the first since Geoff Hurst in 1966) underscored the high‑stakes drama.

The match ended with Argentina winning 4‑2 on penalties, delivering the nation its first World Cup since 1986.

In La Liga, the 23 April 2017 El Clásico saw Barcelona triumph 3‑2 at the Bernabéu, with Messi scoring his 500th club goal.

Sergio Ramos’s red card and James Rodríguez’s late equaliser highlighted the match’s intensity and shifting momentum.

Manchester City’s 2012 Premier League finale against Queens Park Rangers produced a 3‑2 victory that secured the title on the final day.

Sergio Aguero’s 94th‑minute winner, following Edin Džeko’s equaliser, sparked celebrations that still echo in Manchester.

Liverpool’s 4‑3 win over Newcastle United in April 1996 remains a benchmark for a thriller, featuring Robbie Fowler’s early goal and Stan Collymore’s 92nd‑minute winner.

Martin Tyler’s iconic commentary “Collymore closing in!” captured the drama that defined the match.

Watford’s 3‑1 victory over Leicester City in the 2013 Championship play‑off semi‑final second leg was sealed by Troy Deeney’s 96th‑minute strike.

The goal, coming just seconds after a saved penalty, epitomised the sudden‑death nature of play‑off football.

Barcelona’s 3‑1 win over Manchester United in the 2011 Champions League final showcased Pep Guardiola’s side at the height of their dominance.

Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Sergio Busquets and Messi combined for a masterclass in possession football that dismantled Sir Alex Ferguson’s United.

West Germany’s 3‑3 draw with France in the 1982 World Cup semi‑final, resolved by a 5‑4 penalty shoot‑out, featured a controversial challenge on Patrick Battiston.

Michel Platini’s brilliance and Pierre Littbarski’s creativity made the match a classic despite the violent incident.

Belgium’s 3‑2 extra‑time victory over Japan in the 2018 World Cup round of 16 highlighted an incredible comeback, with an injury‑time winner by Romelu Lukaku.

The match demonstrated Belgium’s resilience after trailing 2‑0 with 21 minutes remaining.

Manchester City’s 3‑2 win over Queens Park Rangers also illustrated the impact of psychological pressure, as City turned a 2‑1 deficit into a title‑winning triumph.

The game’s conclusion altered the trajectory of English football, ending Manchester United’s 20‑year dominance.

Liverpool’s 3‑3 draw with Everton in November 2013 featured a dramatic equaliser by Daniel Sturridge and a controversial celebration.

The match’s intensity was amplified by a series of fouls, including a high‑profile challenge by Luis Suárez.

Barcelona’s 6‑1 demolition of Paris Saint‑Germain in the 2017 Champions League round‑of‑16 second leg reversed a 4‑0 first‑leg deficit.

Messi’s penalty and Neymar’s missed opportunities highlighted the unpredictability of knockout football.

Everton’s 3‑2 win over Wimbledon in May 1994 secured their Premier League survival on the final day.

Barry Horne’s decisive goal and Graham Stuart’s rare penalty were pivotal moments that defined the match.

Netherlands’ 2‑2 draw with Argentina in the 2022 World Cup quarter‑final, decided by a 4‑3 penalty shoot‑out, featured a late two‑goal surge by Wout Weghorst.

The match’s 16 yellow cards and a red card for Denzel Dumfries underscored its heated nature.

Across all these selections, a common thread emerges: the combination of technical excellence, dramatic narrative, and lasting impact on football history.

Each game not only delivered entertainment but also influenced subsequent tactics, player reputations, and club or national team trajectories.

In the case of the PSG‑Bayern semi‑final, the high‑pressing, fluid attacking formations exemplify modern European football’s evolution toward speed and positional interchange.

The match will be studied by coaches for its balance between defensive solidity and relentless offensive output.

For fans, the nine‑goal spectacle reaffirmed why the Champions League remains the pinnacle of club competition.

As the second leg approaches, analysts will focus on whether Bayern can overturn the deficit or if PSG will secure a historic final appearance.

The legacy of this encounter will likely endure as a benchmark for future high‑scoring semi‑finals.

In the broader context of football literature, the curated list of “best games” reflects the diverse eras, competitions, and emotional resonance that define the sport.

From Istanbul’s miracle to Paris’s recent nine‑goal thriller, the sport continues to produce moments that captivate millions worldwide.