Manchester United came from two goals down to defeat Roma 3-2 in a dramatic Champions League match on Tuesday, giving manager Michael Carrick a timely boost as he tries to steady his position. Roma had scored twice in the opening 17 minutes, leaving United facing another damaging result after a nine-game winless run.
United responded after the break. Captain Bruno Fernandes began the comeback with a penalty, then Matheus Cunha scored twice in three minutes to turn the match around. The victory came during a difficult campaign in which United had previously won only twice in all competitions.
The result adds to a series of remarkable recoveries in the competition. Tottenham overturned a three-goal aggregate deficit against Ajax in the 2019 semi-finals, with Lucas Moura completing his hat-trick in the 95th minute to send Spurs through on away goals. A day earlier, Liverpool had beaten Barcelona 4-0 at Anfield to progress 4-3 on aggregate, despite missing Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino through injury.
Roma also feature among the competition’s famous comebacks. In 2018, they beat Barcelona 3-0 in the quarter-final second leg to level the aggregate score at 4-4 and advance on away goals. Edin Dzeko, Daniele De Rossi and Kostas Manolas scored as Roma overturned the first-leg deficit.
Barcelona’s 6-1 win over Paris Saint-Germain in 2017 remains one of the most celebrated turnarounds. Trailing 4-0 from the first leg, Barcelona advanced 6-5 on aggregate after late goals from Neymar and Sergi Roberto. The club became the first to overturn a four-goal deficit in the Champions League.
Deportivo La Coruna completed another notable recovery in 2004, beating AC Milan 4-0 in the quarter-final second leg after losing the first match 4-1. Goals from Walter Pandiani, Juan Carlos Valeron, Albert Luque and Fran secured a 5-4 aggregate victory for the Spanish side.
Sources: BBC Sport.