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16 of the worlds greatest moments seen in team sports

Sports are often the one unifying thing you can find amongst friends and family but when it comes to team sports they can also be the biggest divide. You’re either a Manchester United fan or a Manchester City fan and never do the two agree…on sports at least. You’re either for the Yankees or the Red Sox. You’re a Bulls fan or a Lakers fan and when it comes to the NBA finals you’re on the edge of your seat during each game.

We’ve pulled together 16 of the greatest moments from the history of team sports from Jordan’s final minute as a Chicago Bull to Maradona’s “Hand of God” goal that helped boot England from the 1986 World Cup and Jackie Robinson making history in the MLB.

The world’s 16 greatest moments in team sports of all time

The Miracle In Istanbul

When: 2005
Where: Istanbul, Turkey

In 2005, Liverpool came back from a 3-0 deficit at halftime to beat what was arguably one of the greatest AC Milan sides of all time to win the UEFA Cup in 2005. What is now commonly referred to as “The Miracle in Istanbul”, it’s safe to say sporting comebacks don’t get much better than this.

From the very first whistle, it seemed as if Rafa Benitez’s side were outgunned in almost every part of the pitch. A first-minute goal from Paolo Maldini and a quick brace from Hernan Crespo (39’, 44’) sent the Merseyside team back to the dressing rooms at half-time facing what seemed an insurmountable lead.

However, with the Reds fans putting on a show of defiance and continuing to sing “You’ll Never Walk Alone” throughout the halftime break despite the scoreline, Liverpool came out re-galvanized and put on one of the sports greatest 45-minute team performances.

Spearheaded by their talismanic captain and local legend, Steven Gerrard, they pulled the game back to 3-3 with goals from Gerrard himself (54’), Vladamir Smicer (56’), and Xabi Alonso (59’).

After a fantastic double-save by Jerzy Dudek to deny Andriy Shevchenko in the dying seconds of extra time, it seemed as if Liverpool were destined to win the cup as the game went to a penalty shootout. It’s here where Liverpool’s Polish goalkeeper cemented himself as a club legend as he channelled his inner Bruce Grobbelaar, employing the legendary “spaghetti legs” tactic.

Saving penalties from Andrea Pirlo, and Shevchenko, the legendary comeback was complete and history was written. To this day, Liverpool FC is famous for its legendary comebacks, especially in European games, a testament to their never say die attitude.

Michael Jordan’s Final Shot in a Bulls Uniform

When: 1998
Where: Utah, USA

In Game 6 of the 1998 NBA Finals, Michael Jordan showed why he is the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) when he crossed over Bryan Russel and hit the game-winning shot to secure his 6th NBA Championship in as many finals. One of only a handful of players to own a 100% record in his finals appearances.

In this epic play, Jordan put the Bulls on his back and scored 44 points in 45 minutes. Jordan’s last-minute in a Bull’s uniform proved to be one of his most memorable, scoring an easy lay-up and then going back down the other end of the floor to steal the ball from Karl Malone, one of the league’s best players at the time. Jordan then came down the floor and put up one of the most iconic shots in basketball history elevating himself to his god-like status.

Interesting fact: Michael Jordan’s final Bulls jersey sold for $173,240 in an auction.

Jordan holds the record for the most finals MVP awards (6), most consecutive NBA finals, and most points per game in an NBA finals series.

Kobe Bryant scores 60 points in his final ever game

When: 2016
Where: Staples Center, USA

The late, great basketball icon, Kobe Bryant, signed off from his final ever basketball game in typical “Mamba” style. Well known for his ability to turn it on for the big occasion, Kobe did just that for his final game against the Utah Jazz.

Kobe was on fire that night, scoring a total of 60 points on 22/50 shooting. Interestingly, this was the most shots that Kobe had ever taken in his entire career, but he didn’t mind.

It was the fourth quarter where Kobe really shined, as he scored 23 points, including 17 straight, to help lead the Lakers to a come-from-behind win and finish a disappointing season on a high note.

A fitting end for a true sporting legend.

Odell Beckham Jr makes the greatest catch of all time

When: 2014
Where: N.J, USA

This one makes our list, purely as it’s an absolutely amazing showcasing of skill by Odell Beckham Jr. Odell, who was just a rookie at the time, picked out a slightly astray Eli Manning pass that came sailing from a little over 43 yards away.

99 times out of a hundred, the ball flies out of play, but not this time. Beckham Jr leapt into the air and caught the ball one-handed while completely off balance and falling backwards, only to regain his composure mid-air and land himself in the end-zone. Close up photos showed that Beckham caught the pass with two fingers and a thumb, making it even more impressive.

Miami Dolphins Reach Perfection

When: 1972
Where: New Orleans, USA

In only their seventh season as a football team and their third season in the NFL, the Miami Dolphins managed to do what no other team has managed either before or since that amazing season: reach perfection.

They are the only team to have ever won the Super Bowl with an immaculate record of 14-0 in the regular season and 3-0 in the postseason. With Don Shula at the helm and legends of the game such as Bob Griese, Earl Morrall, and Larry Csonka, the Dolphins were truly an unstoppable force.

That season, they were number one in the offence, number one in defence and were the first team to have two 1,000-yard rushers in the same backfield, which is why their 1972 playoff season goes down as one of sports greatest moments.

Brian Lara’s 400 Not Out

When: 2004
Where: St John’s, Antigua

Leading up to the fourth test against England in 2004 legendary batsman, Brian Lara was having questions raised on his form after scoring only 100 runs in the previous three tests. However, when the West Indies superstar came out to bat in the fourth test, there was simply no stopping him.

He became the first man in the history of the game to score 400 runs in a test match, and he did it in 582 deliveries, and in just 776 minutes. A superhuman performance.

To put this in perspective, the average first innings score for an international cricket team in test cricket is around 320. Brian Lara hit 80 more than this total, by himself!

On that day, he hit 43 fours and 4 sixes. An absolutely astonishing achievement, and has yet to be broken although Australia’s own David Warner came close in 2019.

Derek Jeter’s Walk-off Single in His Final Time At Bat at The Yankee Stadium

When: 2014
Where: New York, USA

In true fairy-tale fashion, Derek Jeter ended his immense career at the Yankee Stadium with a moment that will live on in baseball memory for generations to come. Stepping up to plate with one out, a runner in scoring position while batting third at the bottom of the ninth and the game tied at 5-5, the script was set.

In what was his last swing of a bat in Yankee stadium, he slashed the very first pitch between first and second base, allowing the runner to score the game-winning run.

A fitting ending for a champion and a true winner.

Sergio Aguero’s last-minute winner to secure Man City’s first Premier League trophy

When: 2012
Where: London, England

When you think of last-minute goals, this has to be one of the games that come to the front of your mind. Whether it’s the spine-tingling commentary from Martin Tyler, or the iconic shirtless celebration, the moment when Man City secured their first Premier League crown will go down in history as one of the greatest and most dramatic of all time.

With their bitter city rivals, Manchester United having won 1-0 against Sunderland, Man City simply had to win the game otherwise they would lose out on the title to Man U.

The blues were losing 2-1 going into the 92nd minute, all looked lost until Edin Dzeko banged in a late equalizer before City scored one of the most dramatic goals in football history. Aguero smashed the ball into the back of the net with the last kick of the game.

As Graeme Souness said aptly, “when you think you go a whole season and it takes the last kick, of the very last game, in the last minute to win it on goal difference, I thought that was just drama personified. I don’t think it gets more dramatic than that. I think Martin Tyler’s ‘Agueroooooo’ was just a theatre, just absolute theatre.”

Interesting fact: Man City were the first team to win the league title on goal difference since Arsenal pipped Liverpool in 1989.

LeBron James Chasing down the block in Game 7 of the NBA Finals

When: 2016
Where: California, USA

“Block by James! Lebron James with the rejection!”

Sporting spectacles don’t get much bigger than game 7 of the NBA finals. The entire basketball season culminating in a winner takes all showcase match, watched by millions of fans around the world.

However, this wasn’t just any ordinary game 7. Lebron James’s Cleveland Cavaliers were facing what is arguably the greatest side of all time the Golden State Warriors after they blitzed the regular season with an NBA record 73 wins and 9 losses. Not even MJ’s Bulls could match that.

In addition to this, LBJ and co were down 3-1 in the series, meaning they had to win their remaining 3 games in succession against a side that simply does not lose. It seemed not one person gave them even the smallest slither of hope.

After clawing back the series to 3-3, the comeback was well and truly on. With the game tied at 89-89 and just over a minute left to play, Andre Iguodala looked set for an easy layup to give the GSW’s a potentially match-winning lead going down the stretch. Except Lebron James came from out of nowhere to pull off the most amazing block you’ll ever see on a basketball court.

If LeBron’s block was even 0.5 seconds later, it would have been considered goaltending and GSW would most likely have gone on to win the game making it possibly the greatest defensive play of all time – and the rest is history.

Watford vs. Leicester – Championship Play-Off Final

When: 2013
Where: Wembley, England

It’s safe to say this game had one of the craziest finishes to a soccer game that there has ever been and with the stakes as high as it gets in the English Premier League as the winner heads to the Championship Play-Off Final.

The winner of that Championship Play-Off Final would then receive their golden ticket to the English Premier League, often referred to as the “richest” game in sports often guaranteeing all shareholder clubs a minimum of £94.7m just for taking part in the league, not bad.

Now back to this particular game, with the score level at 2-2 after 96 minutes in the second half, Leicester had a dubious penalty given by the referee that would secure them a place in the Play-Off Final.

Unbelievably, Knockaert’s penalty was saved and so too was his follow up shot from point-blank range. From here the ball was cleared to the right-wing and what followed was arguably the greatest counterattack of all time.

The ball was crossed into the box, knocked down to the penalty shop where Troy Deeney ran on and nailed the ball into the back of the net to send Watford through to the final. Talk about turning the tables.

Ray Allen’s 3-Pointer to Save The Miami Heat

When: 2013
Where: Miami, USA

In 2013 the San Antonio Spurs were leading the NBA Finals series 3-2 and the game by 95-92, they were just 19.4 seconds away from taking the series win against the Miami Heat and winning the NBA Finals. Once again, the stakes don’t get much higher.

With time ticking down on the clock and no timeouts remaining, the Heat desperately scrambled to get the ball down the other end. Instead of trying to detail the play from there, here’s the legendary live commentary from that play, “James catches, puts up for three. Won’t go. Rebound, Bosh, back out to Allen his three-pointer BANG! Tie game with five seconds remaining.”

Most people are firmly in agreement that this is one of, if not THE teeth clenching moments in NBA Finals history, as the Miami Heat would go on to win that game and the championship.

The Boston Red Sox – The Curse of the Bambino Is Broken

When: 1918 to 2004
Where: USA

The curse of the bambino was one of American sports greatest superstitions, so much so, some even genuinely believed it to be a real curse. The curse was said to have been placed on the Boston Red Sox which prevented them from winning another MLB Championship after they sold Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees in 1919.

Before the sale, the Red Sox were one of the most successful teams, but as soon as Ruth left they fell victim to a series of unlucky incidences, matches, and seasons and the MLB Championship eluded them for almost an entire century. There is a whole catalogue of games that went against the Red Sox that were said to be due to the curse. You can look them up online, it’s quite staggering.

Yet finally, the Red Sox broke the curse in 2004 in dramatic fashion after they came back from a 0-3 deficit against the Yankees in the ALCS, before sweeping the Cardinals in the World Series. Poetic that the World Series that broke the curse was against the Yankees the team they unluckily sold Ruth to in 1919.

Diego Maradona’s Hand of God

When: 1986
Where: Mexico City, Mexico

Technically speaking, this is against the rules and is 100% also one of the most scandalous moments of cheating in sports, however, it’s so legendary that we had to include it on our list. As it turns out, “The Hand of God” was the phrase coined by the goalscorer himself, Diego Maradona, for the opening goal he scored against England in the 1968 World Cup.

As the ball bounced around in the box, it ricocheted in between the England goalkeeper and Maradona, where the latter jumped to the air and punched the ball into the goal. The referee missed seeing that it was actually Maradona’s hand that lobbed the ball into the net, and the goal was given. An utter ingenious moment of gamesmanship.

Maradona said he scored the goal “a little with his head and a little with the hand of God.”

England went on to lose the game 2-1 after Maradona scored what is called the “Goal of the Century” after an amazing run and finish.

Brazil’s Best Ever Goal

When: 1970
Where: Mexico City, Mexico

Sometimes, things just come together perfectly. In the 1970 World Cup Final, Brazil blew away Italy 4-1 to win their third Jules Rimet Trophy, and boy did they do it in style with goals from Pele, Gérson, Jairzinho, and the best of the lot from the legendary skipper, Carlos Alberto.

The Estadio Azteca was packed to the rafters with 107,412 fans in attendance, all watching on as the Brazil team produced a wonderful performance that was more akin to a work of art.

Winning the ball back from the left-back position, the Brazilians knocked it around the back and dribbled around the weary Italian midfielders with a combination of assuredness, elegance, and swagger.

A total of seven Brazilian players got a touch of the ball in the legendary move, as they passed it between one another before Pele played the ball perfectly into the path of the on-running Carlos Alberto, who smashed the ball home from just inside the penalty area.

It’s the beautiful game at its finest, on the biggest stage of them all and is considered one of the greatest goals ever scored in the history of the World Cup.

Leicester City Win The English Premier League

When: 2016
Where: England

It doesn’t get much crazier than this. At the start of the 2015/16 season, Leicester City was given odds of 5000-1 to win the English Premier League after narrowly avoiding relegation to the Championship after the previous season most bookies were betting they would definitely be relegated after the 2015/16 season.

The Premier League is a competition that is renowned for its ferocious competition, with world-class teams such as Manchester United, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham, Manchester City, all fighting for the top spot. Now, it’s one thing to pull off a crazy upset in a single game, or even in a smaller competition, but to do it over the span of 38 games and consistently beat out the rest of the league, which includes some of the worlds best teams, over a prolonged period of time, that’s truly special, and that’s exactly what Leicester did.

Losing just three games all season, and winning the league by 10 points, the Foxes absolutely dominated the competition. With striker Jamie Vardy and forward Riyad Mahrez scoring 24 and 17 goals respectively, they were simply unbeatable.

They put on the performance of a lifetime over the course of the 2015/16 season, and it will almost certainly never be replicated again. But we are grateful that it happened at all as we can all revel in this astonishing achievement.

Interesting fact: Leicester’s title win was the biggest single price winner in history, costing bookies millions of pounds in payouts.

Jackie Robinson Becomes The First Black MLB Player

When: 1947
Where: Brooklyn, USA

While this is not a moment of technical sporting greatness, it’s a moment of massive importance not just in baseball but in the wider sporting world in the USA and worldwide. At a time when African Americans were not allowed in many places in the USA and before the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s would see massive changes in the way African Americans are seen in American culture Jackie Robinson entered the history books.

In 1947, Jackie Robinson made his debut for the Brooklyn Dodgers and became the first black professional baseball player ever. He was subjected to horrendous abuse including name-calling, antagonizing, spitting, hate speech, death threats, you name it. The worst part was, some of it was from his own fans and even his own teammates. It’s safe to say he was put through some of the worst experiences a sportsman could ever endure.

However, he stood tall, brave, and strong, and became a trailblazer for black Americans, not just in baseball, but for all of the major sports across the country.

Robinson went on to win Rookie of The Year, the 1949 MVP, the World Series, and eventually was inducted into the Hall of Fame. A true legend.

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