7 Times Underdog Football Clubs Shocked European Giants In Major Competitions (Videos)
Football is filled with moments that defy the odds, and while Europe’s top clubs often dominate the headlines, history has shown us that underdogs can steal the spotlight when it matters most.
Here are seven unforgettable times underdog football clubs shocked European giants in major competitions.
1. Deportivo La Coruña vs AC Milan (2003-2004 UEFA Champions League)
In the 2003-04 UEFA Champions League quarter-finals, AC Milan were defending champions and looked set to progress after hammering Deportivo 4-1 at the San Siro.
With world-class players like Kaká, Andrea Pirlo, Andriy Shevchenko, and Paolo Maldini, the Rossoneri were overwhelming favourites.
But what happened next at the Riazor is one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history. Deportivo thrashed Milan 4-0 in the second leg, turning the tie around 5-4 on aggregate, with goals from Pandiani, Valeron, Luque, and Fran stunning Europe.
The Spanish side did not go all the way, but their performance remains one of the most iconic shocks in modern football.
2. Leicester City vs Sevilla (2016-17 UEFA Champions League)
Leicester had shocked the world by winning the Premier League in 2016, but many expected their fairytale to end in Europe.
When they drew Sevilla in the Round of 16, few gave them a chance. Sevilla, winners of multiple Europa League titles, were considered seasoned European contenders.
After losing 2-1 in Spain, Leicester came back home and delivered a gritty 2-0 win, progressing 3-2 on aggregate. It was an emotional night, and caretaker boss Craig Shakespeare masterminded one of Leicester’s finest European moments.
For a club that had never even dreamt of Champions League glory, knocking out Sevilla proved the underdog story was not over.
3. FC Basel vs Manchester United (2011-12 UEFA Champions League)
In the 2011-12 Champions League group stage, Sir Alex Ferguson’s Manchester United were expected to ease past Swiss side FC Basel.
With stars like Wayne Rooney, Ryan Giggs, and Nani, United were overwhelming favourites to top their group.
But Basel had other ideas. After drawing 3-3 at Old Trafford, they stunned United with a 2-1 victory at St. Jakob-Park.
The win knocked United out of the competition at the group stage, a massive embarrassment for the Premier League giants and a huge boost for Swiss football.
4. APOEL Nicosia vs Olympique Lyon (2011-12 UEFA Champions League)
Cypriot side APOEL Nicosia were one of the biggest surprises in the 2011-12 Champions League campaign. No one expected them to even reach the knockout stage, but they topped a group that included Porto, Shakhtar Donetsk, and Zenit St Petersburg.
In the Round of 16, they faced Lyon, an established European team. After losing the first leg 1-0 in France, APOEL levelled the tie with an early goal in Cyprus and eventually took it to penalties.
In front of a roaring home crowd, APOEL triumphed in the shootout, becoming the first Cypriot team to reach the Champions League quarter-finals.
5. Sheriff Tiraspol vs Real Madrid (2021 UEFA Champions League)
This was arguably the biggest modern shock in European football. Sheriff Tiraspol, a club from the breakaway region of Transnistria in Moldova, were making their Champions League group stage debut. When they were drawn with Real Madrid, most expected them to be whipping boys.
But at the Santiago Bernabéu, Sheriff pulled off the unthinkable. Despite Madrid dominating the match, Sheriff won 2-1 thanks to a stunning 89th-minute winner from Sebastien Thill.
The world watched in disbelief as a club from one of UEFA’s smallest leagues humbled the record 14-time European champions in their own backyard.
Sheriff had already beaten Shakhtar Donetsk and went on to finish third in their group. That win in Madrid, however, will live forever.
6. Monaco vs Real Madrid (2003-04 UEFA Champions League)
Real Madrid in 2004 were filled with Galácticos Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo De Lima, David Beckham, Raul, and Luis Figo. They were favourites against AS Monaco in the Champions League quarter-finals and won the first leg 4-2 at the Bernabeu.
But in the return leg, Monaco, led by a young Didier Deschamps as manager and fired up by striker Fernando Morientes – who was on loan from Real Madrid – produced magic.
They beat Madrid 3-1, going through on away goals with a 5-5 aggregate score. Morientes scored twice across the two legs, and his celebration against his parent club said it all.
Monaco later reached the final, beating Chelsea along the way, before losing to José Mourinho’s Porto. But that win over Madrid remains a classic underdog triumph.
7. Villarreal vs Bayern Munich (2021-22 UEFA Champions League)
Unai Emery’s Villarreal were Europa League winners in 2021, but many believed their Champions League run would end when they faced Bayern Munich in the 2021-22 quarter-finals.
Bayern, led by Robert Lewandowski and loaded with attacking power, were one of the tournament favourites.
But Villarreal shocked the German giants. After winning 1-0 in Spain, they came to the Allianz Arena and held Bayern to a 1-1 draw, with Samuel Chukwueze scoring a late equaliser that knocked out the six-time champions.
It was a tactical masterclass from Emery, with Villarreal showing grit, discipline, and timely quality. The Spanish side advanced to the semi-finals, continuing their incredible European journey and proving that well-organised underdogs can topple Europe’s elite.
