It is certainly no secret that Real Madrid are a force of nature when it comes to the Champions League.

The Spanish giants’ remarkable ability to completely defy all the odds and consistently turn teams over in the dying moments is why Arsenal still – despite their 3-0 lead – have their work cut out at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.

Eight days ago, two stunning Declan Rice free-kicks and a crisp finish by Mikel Merino sent the Emirates into raptures and put the Gunners in a commanding position to reach the last four of the European Cup for only the third time in their history. 

Los Blancos are confident in their ability to overturn the mammoth deficit and their history of dumbfounding escapes is likely to play a major factor in why.  

Ahead of the mouth-watering clash in the Spanish capital, here are Mail Sport’s top 10 picks for Real Madrid’s trademark Champions League comebacks.

Carlo Ancelotti’s side suffered a bruising 3-0 defeat by Arsenal at the Emirates last week

The defending champions face a tough task to overturn their first-leg deficit to progress

Arsenal are on course to reach the semi-final of the Champions League for only the third time in their history

Real Madrid 2-1 Bayern Munich  (agg 4-3) – 2023-24

Alphonso Davies’ silky curling strike for the Germans was enough to keep Madrid at bay until 88 minutes had passed, and it was an unlikely hero in Joselu that would decide the game. 

The Spanish forward was brought on by Ancelotti as Thomas Tuchel took talisman Harry Kane off, and gave the performance of his life, scoring two goals right at the death to send Madrid into the Champions League final.

Former Newcastle and Stoke City striker Joselu scored two goals in the dying minutes against Bayern to send Madrid through

The Spaniard was a late substitute before scoring in the 88th and 91st minutes of the clash

Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid (agg 6-3) – 2024-25

This game had non-stop drama to it, even off the pitch, with City fans displaying a banner of Rodri smooching the Ballon D’or to rub salt in the wounds of Vinicius Jr. 

Erling Haaland’s 80th minute penalty put City in the driving seat, with just 10 minutes to see the match out, but Madrid proved they are still as relentless as they’ve ever been, as goals from Brahim Diaz and a last-gasp winner from England star Jude Bellingham granted Madrid the win.

Jude Bellingham (right) and Brahm Diaz (middle) scored late to clinch victory against Manchester City

Real Madrid 4-2 Bayern Munich (agg 6-3) – 2016-17

Madrid had already had to stage a comeback to win 2-1 at the Allianz Arena in the first leg of this tie. Surely, they wouldn’t do it twice? 

‘Mr Champions League’ himself managed to bring Madrid level following Robert Lewandowski’s spot conversion, but Sergio Ramos took everyone by surprise by scoring an own goal, making the tie even on aggregate. 

Arturo Vidal was then sent off for the Bavarians before a brace from Ronaldo and a goal from Asensio put the final nail in the coffin.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored a hattrick as Real staged a dramatic comeback against Bayern Munich

Real Madrid 5-2 Borussia Dortmund – 2024

For most teams, coming back from 2-0 to win the game would be great enough, but Madrid – as always – took it even further. After finding themselves 2-0 down after just half an hour, they had to find an answer and find it quick. 

A goal from Antonio Rudiger, an outstanding hattrick from Vinicius Jr. and a goal in the 83rd minute from Lucas Vazquez saw them sink Dortmund in a manner many would say only Madrid are capable of.

Madrid recovered from two goals down to thrash Borussia Dortmund 5-2 at the Bernabeu before defeating the Germans in the final

Real Madrid 2-3 Chelsea (agg 5-4) – 2021-22

Madrid came into this fixture in prime position to breeze past Chelsea to the last four of the Champions League after their 3-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, but it was nearly a different story altogether. 

Goals from Mason Mount, Timo Werner and Rudiger almost saw the Blues pull off a miraculous comeback. 

That was of course until an audacious trivela assist from Modric allowed Rodrygo to score. Much like that season, though, it proved to be the Karim Benzema show, as the Frenchman headed in the winner to break Chelsea hearts.

Rodrygo’s precise finish from a stunning Luka Modric cross inspired Madrid’s comeback against Chelsea

Karim Benzema’s incredible performances in the latter stages of the Champions League earned him the Ballon d’Or

Real Madrid 3-1 Manchester City (agg 6-5) – 2021-22

With City having a two-goal lead after 90 minutes, Guardiola’s men had almost booked their spot in the Champions League final. But Rodrygo had other plans as he converted Benzema’s cross in the final minute. 

The Brazilian then did the unthinkable, heading home from Marco Asensio’s flick-on with just seconds left on the clock. Madrid rose from the ashes yet again before they would meet Liverpool in the penultimate game.

Rodrygo again inspired the Madrid comeback in their unbelievable 2022 campaign, this time against Manchester City

Liverpool 2-5 Real Madrid (agg 6-2) – 2022-23

This round of 16 game saw the Reds explode out of the starting blocks as Darwin Nunez’s sublime 4th minute flick was followed by Mohamed Salah scoring 10 minutes after. 

The tide would swiftly turn in Madrid’s favour, though, as Vinicius Jr’s superb brace clawed the away side back into game before the half-time whistle. Centre-back Eder Militao put Madrid in front after break, and just to really kick Liverpool when they were down, Benzema’s brace decimated Liverpool’s hopes of gaining any sort of advantage heading into the reverse fixture.

Real Madrid swatted Liverpool to the side at Anfield after being 2-0 down to the Reds

Real Madrid 3-1 Paris Saint-Germain (agg 3-2) – 2021-22

A brilliant solo winner from Kylian Mbappe snatched a win for PSG at the Parc des Princes and it would be the superstar winger who drew first blood in this game to double his side’s lead on aggregate. 

This was before Benzema pulled something almighty from his sleeve. 

The legendary striker rescued his team by netting an emphatic 17-minute hattrick, with the third being a tidy low-driven finish. This saw him ascend above Alfredo Di Stefano to become Los Blancos’ third highest all-time scorer at the time.

Benzema’s stunning knockout stage run began with his startling contribution against PSG

Real Madrid 3-0 Wolfsburg (agg 3-2) – 2015-16

The German side were a whisker away from what would have been one of their greatest European nights following their shock 2-0 win from the first leg. 

But in typical fashion, Ronaldo managed to single-handedly drag Madrid out of the depths by scoring a hattrick, with the first two goals closing the deficit in just 17 minutes, before a stunning free kick sealed the deal for him and his side, scoring his third hattrick of that Champions League campaign.

Cristiano Ronaldo was Madrid’s saviour as they trailed Wolfsburg 2-0 from the first leg in 2016

Sergio Ramos’s last-ditch equaliser against Atletico Madrid in 2014 is one of the most important goals in Real Madrid history

The LaLiga giants defeated their city rivals 4-1 after extra time to win a record-extending 10th European Cup

Real Madrid 4-1 Atletico – 2013-14

It is safe to say that Ramos cemented his status as a Real Madrid legend in their ‘La Decima’ Champions League final against their bitter rivals. 

Before the defender fired in an exquisite header in the 93rd minute, taking the game into extra time. Real wasted no time after the full 90, with goals from Gareth Bale and Marcelo brutally snatching the trophy away from Atletico, not to mention Ronaldo ripping his shirt off after he added fuel to Atletico’s fire via the penalty spot.