It’s not over until the fat lady sings, as they say… Well, that’s not entirely true in soccer. Tell us about it: the Impact has already scored two goals after the 90th minute mark this season, in Chicago and in New York. Injury time has given fans crazy feelings through history, from pure joy to deep sadness. Check out some of the most important, heart-breaking goals in added time all around the world.
Michael Thomas – Anfield, Liverpool, 1989
Arsenal v Liverpool
Last game of the season, English First Division
“It’s up for grabs now!” A now famous commentary line preceded Michael Thomas’ goal to clinch the Gunners’ first title in 18 years. Only a month after the Hillsborough disaster, where 96 Liverpool fans lost their lives, the Reds are first in the old First Division with a three-point cushion over Arsenal. Coincidentally, the last game of the season is at Anfield against the Gunners, who need a two-goal win to leave the north-west with the title. Even though George Graham’s men come on the pitch with flowers which they offer to the crowd as condolences, they have one goal – make that two goals – in mind. Alan Smith heads Arsenal in front in the first half, but Arsenal still needs a goal to put to rest this 18-year drought. With only a couple of seconds to go in injury time, Michael Thomas charges through the midfield before slipping the ball to Grobbelaar’s left and into the goal.
Teddy Sheringham and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer – Nou Camp, Barcelona, 1999
Manchester United v Bayern Munich
Final, UEFA Champions League
Already champions of England and winners of the FA Cup, Manchester United and its famous “Class of 92” with Beckham, Giggs, Scholes, Butt and the Neville brothers target the Champions League trophy, synonymous with European glory. They have their work cut out for them by facing Oliver Kahn’s Bayern Munich. The Germans score early, a Mario Basler free kick creeping in only six minutes after kickoff. The Red Devils would unlock the Munich defence, even if they make their fans wait until the very end: Teddy Sheringham deflects a Ryan Giggs miscue in to level the odds in the 91st, before Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, legendary impact sub, tips Sheringham’s header into the roof of Kahn’s goal. United leads for the first time in the 93rd minute and will hold on for the last seconds to win the treble.
Andrés Iniesta – Stamford Bridge, London, 2009
Barcelona v Chelsea
Semi-final 2nd leg, UEFA Champions League
Didier Drogba’s Chelsea is unharmed after its trip to Barcelona, taking home a 0-0 draw. A win would send the team through to the final, but a score draw makes the Blues crash out. They take the lead through Michael Essien’s perfect volley, which kisses the crossbar before entering the goal early in the first half. Chelsea then pushes on for a second goal, with many penalty appeals rejected by the official. Maybe they were pushing too hard… In the 93rd minute, Messi recovers a loose ball in the opposition’s box, before squaring the ball to Iniesta who shoots first time. The strike is perfect, right in the top corner. Chelsea 1-1 Barcelona. The Blaugranas will meet Manchester United in the final thanks to the away goals rule. Didier Drogba is up in arms.
Landon Donovan – Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, 2010
United States v Algeria
Game #3, FIFA World Cup group stage
Along with England, Slovenia and Algeria in Group C, our southern neighbours face a tough task to qualify for the round of 16. In third place after two games, they need to beat the Algerians. The score remains untouched until the second half injury time, even though the Americans had their chances. Landon Donovan takes matters into his own hands: he controls a long throw by keeper Tim Howard and starts the counter, sending Altidore through on the right wing. The striker crosses on the ground for Dempsey, whose shot is blocked by the Algerian keeper but the rebound is juicy… and Donovan sweeps it home, into the left bottom corner. The US top their group and go through in dramatic fashion.
Edin Dzeko and Sergio Aguero – Etihad Stadium, Manchester, 2012
Manchester City v Queens Park Rangers
Last game of the season, Barclays Premier League
1968. Manchester City’s last title dates way back to the year when Led Zeppelin performed on stage for the first time. But before the last game of the season, the Citizens stand a chance: they are top of the table, tied with neighbours and rivals Manchester United. City still has the advantage, with a goal difference much higher than the Red Devils’, which will be the tiebreaker if both teams end the season level on points. While United win 1-0 at Sunderland, thinking they’ve done enough to win their 20th title in history as City trails 2-1 against relegation-threatened Queens Park Rangers at home. In the 92nd minute, Edin Dzeko jumps and heads in the equalizer. 2-2, and City still needs one to hoist the Premier League trophy. Salvation comes from Sergio Aguero’s foot, with a powerful, unstoppable drive.
Marco Reus and Felipe Santana – Signal Iduna Park, Dortmund, 2013
Borussia Dortmund v Málaga
Quarter-final 2nd leg, UEFA Champions League
A 0-0 draw in the first leg sets the stage for a cracking quarter-final second leg in Dortmund’s Signal Iduna Park. The Spanish take the lead 2-1 in the 81st minute and can already smell the semi-final…but two goals in 70 injury-time seconds break their dream. Borussia Dortmund will go all the way to the final.
Kelvin - Estádio Do Dragão, Porto, 2013
Porto v Benfica
Penultimate game of the season, Primeira Liga
Portugal’s best two clubs face each other in the second last game of the 2013 season. Lisbon’s Eagles have a small two-point lead on top of the table. The Dragons haven’t said their last word, though: through Kelvin’s nice finish in added time, Porto takes the reins in the Portuguese title race. Porto will not falter on the last day, and they will succeed in defending their championship.
Troy Deeney – Vicarage Road, Watford, 2013
Watford v Leicester City
Play-off semi-final 2nd leg, English Championship
This is probably the craziest, most spectacular minute of soccer you will ever see. Leicester City – yes, THE Leicester City that leads the Premier League this year by a wide margin – faced Watford to win a berth in the Championship play-off final and maybe get the promotion to the top flight. After the Foxes’ 1-0 win at home, Watford leads 2-1 on its own pitch, still needing one to go through. But Watford keeper Almunia has to stop a penalty in the 97th minute. What happens next is almost too crazy to believe: the penalty is stopped, the rebound as well. The ball is hacked clear and Watford gets in its stride on the right flank. A cross toward the far post is headed back to the top of the box…and Troy Deeney finishes with a fierce half-volley! Watford goes to the final!
Ben Watson – Wembley, London, 2013
Wigan Athletic v Manchester City
Final, FA Cup
Already relegated from the Premier League, Wigan’s season can still finish in a nice way thanks to this trip to Wembley for the FA Cup final against giant Manchester City, who needs this piece of silverware not to end the season empty-handed. A tense match stays goalless and looks headed to extra time. Ben Watson will not have it: he rises higher than everyone else to head the ball in the Mancunian goal. We bet he has never scored a more meaningful goal in his career.
Cameron Porter – Olympic Stadium, Montreal, 2015
Montreal Impact v Pachuca
Quarter-final 2nd leg, CONCACAF Champions League
Montreal’s sporting hero in March 2015? Carey Price? Try again. P.K Subban? Try again. Jean Pascal? Nope. Cameron Porter lifted the Olympic Stadium’s tarp with his 94th-minute goal, sending the Impact through to the semi-final in Costa Rica. Legendary.
