Top 5 football matches of the Decade (2010-2020)

    It was an amazing decade, the previous one, now wasn't it? Let's look back upon some marvelous moments of excitement and thrill football witnessed in that time. Marvel the decade's 5 most interesting and memorable football matches as by me (2010-2020) : 

5. Barca Vs Chelsea, 2012 

    The Spanish monsters and the English giants were put against each other in a nail-biting encounter for a spot in the final round of the prestigious title of the Champions League in 2012. 

    Chelsea had already found themselves out of the national League competition to the Manchester clubs and were pushing to have themselves register atleast into the following year's UCL or even UEL for that matter when things become competent, given their absolutely terrible condition in the Premiere League. They ended up 6th. 

    On the other hand Barca had themselves quite some help trying for the Spanish league champions (that but went futile having earned them just the 2nd place). 

    The first leg in Chelsea had seen the home team walk away with a one goal lead most unexpectedly. What came alive as a promising evening of splendid football witnessed Barca maintain a lead for the entire game by one goal. What was in Barca's favour apart from them being the outright favourites was the sending off of Chelsea legend defender John Terry. Barca dominated the game entirely. They had more possession, as much as 72 percent by the final minute, and they also registered more shots and passes. 

    Barca came closest to scoring another and having them lead on aggregate. But that never happened. Instead, what did, was a brilliant dribble from Torres in extra time that secured Chelsea settle the game for themselves and hence a spot in the finals. 

Record : 

Dated : 24 April 2012 

Competition : UCL 

Match :  Semi Finals Leg 2 

Venue : Camp Nou, Barcelona

Attendance: 95,845

Scorecard : FCB 2 2 CHEL 

MOM : John Terry 

4. Portugal Vs Spain, 2018

    The Portugal–Spain football rivalry (also known as The Iberian War or The Iberian Derby) is one of the oldest football rivalries at a national level. It began on 18 December 1921, when Portugal lost 3–1 to Spain at Madrid in their first ever international friendly game. 

    It was a match in the group stages of the World Cup 2018 where the giants of Spain were up against a furious Portuguese side led by King Cristiano Ronaldo. It was the initial match of the group stages and both teams were determined to get ahead of their competants. 

    An early penalty marked the king on the scoresheet as the Portuguese enhanced the scoreboard. A brace from Diego Costa and a goal from Nacho followed in the next 60 minutes of play promoting Spain up ahead over Portugal but by one goal thanks to the king who doubled his team's score in the 44th minute. It stood 3-2 in favour of Spain while the ball could be seen travel from one half to the other and back. 

    Football was at its best and the tension prevailed all throughout. Portugal were keen to score while Spain just wanted to play normal football, dominate the midfield and maintain their defence while being aggressive on counters hoping to double their lead. It was in the 88th minute when Portugal was awarded a free kick from little outside the box and Cristiano stepped up to take it. The tension aroused like fire channeling through an open volcano. Cristiano took two steps back, Cristiano focused, Cristiano jogged up to take the shot, Cristiano scored. An epic goal!!!!!!!! Spain 3 Portugal 3. The match ended at that score, but the enthusiasm it created is still remembered. 

Record : 

Dated : 15 June 2018 

Competition : FIFA World Cup

Match : Group Stages Match day 1 

Venue : Olimpiskiy Stadium

Attendance: 50000+

Scorecard : POR 3 3 ESP 

MOM : Cristiano Ronaldo 

3. Bayern Munich vs Barca, 2020 

    The most recent match on this list, this game is one that will continue to haunt Barca fans for decades. Barcelona wasn't successful that season and fell behind Real Madrid who clencled the league title. Barca also didn't end well as far as the Spanish League Cup or the Copa Del Rey is concerned. On the other hand Bayern won the Bundesliga and the DFB Pokal and were one of the strongest teams in the European Competition. 

    Barca was predicted to go down to the in-form giants of FC Bayern Munich when they were drawn against each other in the quarter finals if UCL. The season was a disappointment for Barca and everyone wanted to leave it behind and return with a fresh start. Even the cules knew of thier problems in the squad and the miscondition the club was in. 

    The match commenced and both teams played their fast pace football. The deadlock was soon broken by a goal from Thomas Muller, the Raumdeuter, in the 4th minute. Another attack from Barca saw David Alaba send the clearence into his own net causing equal scores. Bayern did not panic. They kept their formations intact and kept attacking pushing Barca to their limits which ended the first half in a 4-1 lead for Bayern. Barca came in fiercely with an early goal as second half started. They were determined to comeback like they had in 2017 against PSG. But then a fantastic run from youngster Davies completely destroyed Barca's defence and another goal came in from a tap-in by Kimmich. Again then, Lewandowski scored a header from Coutinho's assist in increasing the lead. Barca seemed totally broken by then. Coutinho, the loanie from Barca, scored two easy goals to completely destroy his former team. Bayern walked out 8-2 and with a spot in the semi finals. 

    The encounter was brilliant because it witnessed true team spirit and energy that ceased a team like Barcelona. Bayern later went in to win their 6th Champions League title. 

Record : 

Dated : 14 August 2020 

Competition : UCL 

Match : Quarter Finals 

Venue :  Estadio da Luz in Lisbon, Portugal. 

Attendance: Nil (Covid Protocol)

Scorecard : FCB(G) 8 2 FCB(S) 

MOM : Thomas Muller 

2. Brazil Vs Germany, 2014 

    The two giants of the 2014 FIFA World Cup reached the semi-finals with an undefeated record to take out each other. While Germany had their best men upfront, Brazil were missing out on their superstar forward Neymar out to injury and their prime defender and Captain Thiago Silva on accumulation of yellow cards. Brazil had won the last time the two teams met in the biggest stage by a margin of 2-0 which was in the 2002 Final gaining Brazil their 5th title as Champions of World Football. However, this match was nothing like that. 

    In the 11th minute, the Germans scored from their first corner of the game. In time, Brazil had fallen down to the football the Germans showcased upon the ground. Consequently, Germany led 5–0 at half time, with four goals scored within six minutes, and subsequently brought the score up to 7–0 in the second half. Brazil scored a consolation goal in the last minute, ending the match 7–1. 

This match marked the biggest ever win in a FIFA World Cup Semi-Final. 

Record : 

Dated : 8 July 2014

Competition : FIFA World Cup

Match : Semi Finals 

Venue :  Estadio Mineirao, Belo Horizonte. 

Attendance: 58,141

Scorecard : BRA 1 7 GER

MOM : Toni Kroos 

1. Barca Vs PSG, 2017 

    If you have followed this list, you would have found that in two of the last four, Barcelona were on the losing side of the encounter; one of the greatest teams to have ever occured, deemed to be the favourites every year, and they perform like this, so underwhelming. Well this portion will show you the true colours of Barcelona. 

Above : Lion Leo Messi × Prince Neymar Jr 

    If you ask, what determination and hunger can make do, I'll just show you this match. 2017 witnessed the biggest comeback in the UCL, in the history of Football. FC Barcelona were down by 4 goals against PSG from the first leg and the quarters were looking too far away. It did so until the 86th minute of this match as well when Barca were up by 3-1 but trailing in the aggregate score by 5-3, until Neymar Jr, the prince of football, showed up and turned the game around completely. The very next minute saw a beautifully taken free kick by Neymar enhance the scoreline for the cules. Just in the nick of the 90th minute, Suarez obtained a penalty for Neymar who scored perfect. Barca had tied the scores but would still lose the spot in the quarters to PSG on account of away goals. It was in the final minute of the extra time when even Ter-Stegen, the Barca goalkeeper had come up to add to the attack. He procured a free kick that was soon taken. That was the last effort Barca could make and they made it count. Neymar's awesome defence-splitting assist reached Sergi Roberto who in a 1v1 chance against the goalkeeper, did not miss. Barca had done something never encountered by man before, something as auspecious as the LaRemontada. 

🤙⚽

Comments on this match : 

Franck Ribery : "Unbelievable" 

Marc Andre Ter-Stegen : "We are Barcelona." 

Record : 

Dated : 8 March 2017

Competition : UCL

Match : Round of 16 

Venue : Camp Boy, Barcelona. 

Attendance: 96,290

Scorecard : FCB 6 1 PSG 

MOM : Neymar 

Honourable Mentions: ManU Vs Arsenal, 2011 (PL), Arsenal Vs Newcastle, 2011 (PL), Chelsea Vs Bayern, 2012 (UCL), Dortmund Vs Real Madrid, 2013 (UCL) (×2), Bayern Vs Barcelona, 2013 (UCL)(×2), Bayern Vs Dortmund, 2013 (UCL), Real Madrid Vs Atletico, 2014 (UCL), Spain Vs Nederlands, 2014 (FWC), Germany Vs Argentina, 2014 (FWC), Barcelona Vs Bayern, 2015 (UCL) (X2), Barcelona Vs Juventus, 2015 (UCL), Bayern Vs Wolfsburg, 2015 (Bundesliga), Bayern Vs Arsenal, 2015 (UCL)(×2), Liverpool Vs Dortmund, 2016 (UEL)(L2), Real Madrid Vs Juventus, 2018 (UCL)(L1), Barcelona Vs Roma, 2018 (UCL)(L2), Real Madrid Vs Liverpool, 2018 (UCL), Germany Vs Sweden, 2018 (FWC), France Vs Argentina, 2018 (FWC), Russia Vs Spain, 2018 (FWC), Ajax Vs Real Madrid, 2019 (UCL)(L2), Barcelona Vs Liverpool, 2019 (UCL)(×2), Bayern Vs Tottenham, 2019 (UCL)(M1), Aston Villa Vs Liverpool, 2020 (PL). 

_ written and edited by Dibyendu Maji a.k.a. Kris. Initiated on 9 February, 2020. Last Updated 

09.02.2021. 

Image Credits : Wikipedia, Facebook, All Football, FC Bayern Munich, FC Barcelona, PSG, UCL, FIFA World Cup.