What do you consider to be the best Champions League final of all-time? Since the tournament’s rebrand in 1992, there’s no question about it, there has been some absolute thrillers over the years.
Wonder goals, penalty heartbreak and seismic moments from the continents finest make the UCL finale one of the greatest football spectacles on the planet. Ahead of this year’s, showpiece between PSG and Arsenal, BetVictor News takes a look back at ten of the best Champions League finals.
The Best Champions League Finals: Ranking Ten Of The Greatest
10. PSG 5-0 Inter – 2025
Owing to last season’s whitewash, the PSG vs Arsenal odds favour the Ligue 1 powerhouses to retain their crown on May 30. Inter had surprised many by beating Bayern and Barcelona in the knockouts but they certainly felt the wrath of the Parisians in Munich.
Goals from Achraf Hakimi, Desire Doue (2), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Senny Mayulu gave Paris their first ever Champions League crown. To this day, it is the biggest ever Champions League final victory and the first time a team has scored five in the showdown since the UCL’s inauguration in 1992.
9. Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool (2018)
As far as the best Champions League finals go, the epic in Kyiv will live long in the memory. But for a variety of different reasons. Sergio Ramos’ tactical foul on Mo Salah – which saw the Egyptian subbed off and infuriated Liverpool fans – Lorius Karius’ disaster-class in goal and Gareth Bale’s MOTM cameo; including one of the finest goals ever scored in a UCL final.
Karius was at fault for Real Madrid’s opener – scored by Karim Benzema – before Sadio Mane levelled for the Reds a few minutes later. Shortly after, Bale’s brilliant bicycle kick but Los Blancos back in the lead before the Welsh wizard’s swerving 40-yearder slipped through Karius’ hands. This match really had a bit of everything.
8. Monaco 0-3 Porto (2004)
In the 2004 final, both Porto and Monaco defied the Champions League odds to claim their place in Gelsenkirchen. The Portuguese giants – led by a certain Jose Mourinho – cruised to a 3-0 win in the battle of the underdogs.
Carlos Alberto, Deco and Dmitri Alenichev netted in Germany to crush Les Rouge et Blanc’s dreams and helped catapult Mourinho into a global star. Interestingly, Greece would go on to win the Euros that summer which made 2004 one of the most unique and surprising years for upsets in recent memory.
Mourinho would leave his post soon after and join Chelsea – delivering the famous quote: “Please don’t call me arrogant, but I’m European champion, and I think I’m a special one.”
7. Milan 4-0 Barcelona (1994)
Ten years prior to Jose Mourinho’s magic, there was Fabio Capello’s cunning that well and truly downed a prime Barcelona side. Milan – who were finding their way without the legendary Dutch trio of Ruud Gullit, Frank Rijkaard and Marco van Basten – who was injured.
On the pitch, Johan Cruyff’s side had no answer to the brilliance of the Serie A giants. Goals from Daniele Massaro (2) Dejan Savicevic and Marcel Desailly ensured that the Italians reigned supreme in Athens. Capello described the win as “perfection.”
6. Barcelona 2-0 Manchester United (2009)
A Roman-esque performance in Rome from Barcelona helped dethrone one of the greatest Manchester United teams in history. Barca – who were managed by Pep Guardiola – absolutely outplayed the Red Devils with the Spaniard’s slick and stylish tiki-taka football.
Samuel Eto’o opened the scoring before Lionel Messi’s incredible header beat Edwin van der Sar. Two years later, the LaLiga giants would cruise past United in similar fashion. Winning 3-1 at Wembley Stadium.
5. Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (2008) (Man Utd won 6-5 on penalties)
The first-ever all-English final was played out in rain soaked conditions in Moscow. Which played a huge part in determining the winner. Cristiano Ronaldo’s powerful header gave Manchester United the lead before Frank Lampard equalised for Chelsea before half-time.
After no more goals inside 120 minutes, the match went to penalties. Ronaldo had his spot-kick saved but slippery conditions scuppered John Terry who saw his effort sail wide of Edwin van der Sar’s goal. The Dutchman would then save Nicholas Anelka’s spot kick to gift the Red Devils a second UCL crown.
4. Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico Madrid (2014) (AET)
Real Madrid finally completed La Decima after seeing off city neighbours and rivals Atletico Madrid in 2014. The latter were masters in the art of defending and when Diego Godin headed Diego Simeone’s side in front, it was a tall order for Real to compete.
In the final minute of the game, Sergio Ramos broke Atleti hearts and Los Blancos went on to dominate in extra-time. Goals from Gareth Bale, Marcelo and Cristiano Ronaldo meant Europe’s most successful Champions League side could finally celebrate their tenth European title.
3. Chelsea 1-1 Bayern (2012) (Chelsea won 4-3 on penalties)
When it came to Champions League final betting in 2012, not too many people outside of the Blue half of west London would have given Chelsea a chance. Playing a fearless and awesome Bayern side on their own patch, it was an unenviable task for the Premier League side.
Die Roten peppered the Blues goal throughout before Thomas Muller finally gave the Germans the lead late on. There was still time for Didier Drogba to equalise before extra-time ensued. Former Chelsea star Arjen Robben missed a penalty before the game was to be decided from 12 yards. Drogba rolled home the winner to give the Londoners their first ever UCL win.
2. Manchester United 2-1 Bayern (1999)
The term ‘Fergie Time’ already had plenty of meaning going into the 1999 final owing to Manchester United’s late winners in the Premier League. However, this result etched the phrase into footballing and Sir Alex Ferguson legend.
Mario Basler lashed home an early free-kick for Bayern and it looked like the Bundesliga side would go on to win the match. United probbed and pressed without success until second-half injury time. Super subs Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer managed to net twice to stun the Germans – completing the Red Devils historic treble in the process.
1. Milan 3-3 Liverpool (2005) (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties)
The best Champions League final of all-time is widely regarded as Liverpool’s ‘Miracle of Istanbul’ win over Milan. The Italians boasted one of the greatest ever starting XIs in footballing history and they raced into a 3-0 half-time lead thanks to goals from Paolo Maldini and a Hernan Crespo brace.
Then, the Reds managed to score three of their own in a six-minute second-half spell. The Rossoneri were stunned yet continued to launch attack after attack against the Merseysiders. However, Jerzy Dudek kept Rafa Benitez’s underdogs in the match and became the penalty hero when he saved Andriy Shevchenko’s tame effort.
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Any betting decisions should be made responsibly and there are no guarantees when it comes to match outcomes. All odds correct as of 1.50pm May 25, 2026.
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