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Cape Town - Following Liverpool’s comeback victory over Borussia Dortmund at Anfield in the Europa League, Sport24's Craig Taylor looks at some other incredible comeback victories in sport.
The miracle at Medinah - Ryder Cup 2012
Beginning the final day trailing the US Ryder Cup team by 10-6, Europe staged one of the biggest comebacks in Ryder Cup history. Of the 12 singles matches on the day, they won eight and tied one for a 14 ½ to 13 ½ victory. In a drama filled afternoon, Rory McIlroy almost cost Europe the Ryder Cup when he overslept and arrived just 10 minutes before his match-up against Keegan Bradley.
Springboks v New Zealand, Durban - 1998 Tri-Nations
After two away victories over New Zealand and Australia, the Springboks knew that victory in Durban would go a long way to assure them an overall Tri-Nations victory. The All Blacks, however, had other ideas and led 23-5 with around 15 minutes to play. The home side gave themselves a glimmer of hope with tries from scrumhalf Joost van der Westhuizen and Bobby Skinstad before Kings Park erupted when a Bok driving maul saw hooker, James Dalton, score at the death. The Boks won 24-23.
India v Australia - The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2001 - 2nd Test
After Australia had won the first Test convincingly by 10 wickets, India were all but dead and buried in the second Test when forced to follow-on by the visitors. Although they batted far better in their second innings, they were still well behind Australia’s first innings total when Rahul Dravid joined VVS Laxman at the wicket. The pair proceeded to put on a 376 run partnership with Laxman scoring 281 and Dravid 180. Left a daunting target of 384 runs in 75 overs, Australia succumbed to the spin of Harbhajan Singh to give India an improbable 171 run victory. India went on to win the series 2-1.
France v New Zealand - 1999 Rugby World Cup semi-final
Favourites New Zealand had cruised through the tournament and were expected to easily deal with France in the semi-final of the 1999 Rugby World Cup. They eased into a 24-10 second-half lead before France produced one of the greatest comebacks in Rugby World Cup history. Spurred on by Christophe Lamaison who scored a try, two drop goals and two penalties for a 28 point match haul, France ran out 42-31 winners.
Liverpool v AC Milan - 2005 Champions League Final
Liverpool are no strangers to comebacks with the 2005 Champions League Final a prime example. AC Milan made the best possible start to the match when Paolo Maldini scored in the first minute. Argentinian striker Hernan Crespo extended their lead, scoring a brace before half-time. What followed will go down in Liverpool folklore. Three goals in six second-half minutes by Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso turned the match on its head. Although neither team could find a winner in regulation nor extra-time, Liverpool prevailed 3-2 on penalties for their fifth European Cup victory.
