The 10 Most Incredible Comebacks in Sports History

The thrill of a comeback is unmatched in the world of sports. Whether it’s a team defying the odds to turn around a bleak scoreline or an athlete returning to the pinnacle after adversity, these moments capture the imagination and inspire millions. Below, we explore ten of the most remarkable comebacks that have ever unfolded across various sports, showcasing resilience, determination, and the unpredictable nature of competition.

Liverpool’s Miracle: Champions League Final 2005

The UEFA Champions League Final in 2005 brought together Liverpool FC and AC Milan in Istanbul for a night that would become legendary. By halftime, AC Milan had established an intimidating 3-0 lead, leading many to believe the game was over. But Liverpool’s captain Steven Gerrard sparked an improbable revival with a goal minutes into the second half. Momentum shifted as Liverpool scored two more to level the match at 3-3, forcing extra time and ultimately a penalty shootout. Liverpool triumphed 3-2 in the shootout, completing one of football’s most iconic turnarounds and earning the match the nickname, “The Miracle of Istanbul.”

Barcelona’s Stunning Resurrection: Champions League 2017

In the round of 16 of the 2016-17 UEFA Champions League, Paris Saint-Germain handed FC Barcelona a crushing 4-0 defeat in the first leg. Returning to Camp Nou, Barcelona faced the nearly insurmountable task of overturning the deficit. Luis Suarez triggered hope with an early goal, and by the 50th minute, Barcelona were 3-0 up on the night. Edinson Cavani’s away goal for PSG meant Barcelona needed three more in 30 minutes. In a breathtaking finale, Neymar scored twice in quick succession and set up Sergi Roberto for a dramatic winner in the 95th minute, sealing a 6-5 aggregate victory and etching this comeback into UEFA history.

Tiger Woods: A Triumph at the Masters in 2019

Tiger Woods redefined golf in the late 1990s and early 2000s, but his career later stalled due to injuries and public controversies. By 2017, after serious health and personal setbacks, few believed he would ever reclaim the spotlight. Defying expectations at the 2019 Masters, Woods started the final round two shots behind the leader. He surged ahead on the back nine, capturing his first major in 11 years and his fifth green jacket. This victory not only silenced his critics but also marked the first time Woods won a major from behind in the final round, putting an exclamation on one of the sport’s most inspiring comebacks.

New England Patriots: The Unforgettable Super Bowl LI Rally

Super Bowl LI in 2017 witnessed an extraordinary turnaround by the New England Patriots. Trailing the Atlanta Falcons 28-3 late in the third quarter, Tom Brady led the Patriots to one of the biggest comebacks in NFL history. New England scored 25 unanswered points to tie the game at 28-28 by the end of regulation—forcing the first-ever Super Bowl overtime. The Patriots won the coin toss and methodically marched down the field, scoring a winning touchdown for a 34-28 victory. No NFL team had previously come back from a deficit greater than 17 points after three quarters in playoff history, let alone in the Super Bowl.

Paul Lawrie’s Majestic Revamp: British Open 1999

The 1999 British Open is famous for Scottish golfer Paul Lawrie’s historic turnaround. Entering the final round, Lawrie trailed the leader, Jean Van de Velde, by 10 strokes—a seemingly insurmountable margin. Lawrie shot a brilliant final round of 67, while Van de Velde, needing only a double-bogey to win on the last hole, suffered a disastrous sequence including shots into the rough, grandstand, and water hazard. Van de Velde’s triple-bogey forced a playoff with Lawrie and Justin Leonard. In four playoff holes, Lawrie remained composed, securing the Claret Jug and overcoming the largest final-round deficit in major championship history.

Boston Red Sox: Historic Recovery in the 2004 ALCS

Down three games to none against the New York Yankees in the 2004 American League Championship Series, the Boston Red Sox faced elimination and the weight of baseball history—no MLB team had ever come back to win a seven-game series after losing the first three. The Red Sox staged an electrifying reversal, winning the next three games by narrow margins and forcing a decisive Game 7, which they won handily 10-3 in Yankee Stadium. Momentum on their side, Boston swept the St. Louis Cardinals in the World Series, ending an 86-year championship drought and delivering an epic story of persistence.

Michael Jordan’s Spectacular NBA Comeback

After guiding the Chicago Bulls to three consecutive NBA titles, Michael Jordan stunned the sporting world by retiring in 1993 amidst overwhelming personal pressure and after the tragic loss of his father. Trying his hand at professional baseball, Jordan spent 18 months away from the court before rejoining the Bulls late in the 1995 season. His return energized the franchise; Chicago finished strong and, starting in the 1995-96 season, Jordan led the Bulls to another “three-peat”—claiming three more NBA championships and multiple MVP awards. His journey from retirement back to the pinnacle underscored his relentless drive and elevated his legacy as a global sports icon.

Buffalo Bills: Legendary Turnaround in the 1993 NFL Playoffs

The 1993 AFC Wild Card game earned the nickname “The Comeback” when the Buffalo Bills faced the Houston Oilers. Facing a daunting 35-3 deficit in the third quarter, with their backup quarterback Frank Reich at the helm, the Bills seemed doomed. Drawing on a history of overcoming odds, Reich led the Bills to score 28 points in the third quarter alone. They tied the game at 38-38 and, in overtime, set up a game-winning Steve Christie field goal. Overcoming a 32-point gap—the largest in NFL history at that time—the Bills’ performance remains a blueprint for resilience in professional football.

Leicester City: From Relegation Battle to Premier League Champions

Leicester City’s 2015-16 Premier League triumph is often called the greatest fairy tale in English football. Just a season prior, Leicester narrowly escaped relegation, becoming only the third team to survive after being bottom at Christmas. With the arrival of manager Claudio Ranieri, the Foxes defied 5000/1 odds, riding an inspired run from striker Jamie Vardy and a cohesive team effort to secure the league title by a ten-point margin. Their meteoric ascent from relegation favorites to champions captured the hearts of soccer fans worldwide and showed that astonishing comebacks can unfold across an entire season.

Bethany Hamilton’s Return to Surfing After Shark Attack

Bethany Hamilton’s comeback is not only notable for the obstacles she overcame, but also for her refusal to let adversity define her. At just 13 years old, Hamilton lost her left arm in a shark attack while surfing in Hawaii. Remarkably, she was back on her board less than a month later. Within three months, she was competing, and within two years she captured her first national surfing title. Hamilton’s journey redefined what is possible in sports recovery and continues to inspire athletes and fans globally, far beyond the world of competitive surfing.

Niki Lauda: Overcoming Tragedy to Win F1 World Championship

Niki Lauda was already an F1 World Champion in 1975 when disaster struck during the 1976 German Grand Prix. After a horrific crash left him with life-threatening burns, damaged lungs, and a stay in a coma, Lauda’s future looked bleak. Astonishingly, just weeks after his accident, he returned to race at the Italian Grand Prix, sporting bandages and a specially modified helmet. His courage paid off the following year, as he won back the F1 World Drivers’ Championship in 1977. Lauda’s return, at a time when most never expected to see him race again, set a gold standard for perseverance in the face of physical and psychological trauma.

Unforgettable Comebacks: Final Thoughts

These stories stand as enduring evidence of the human spirit’s capacity to overcome adversity. Whether through last-minute heroics on the field or months and years of personal struggle, each comeback here has become legendary—reminding us that while sports don’t guarantee victory, they always offer hope for the remarkable.