The Best Matches of 2024!

Looking back on some memorable football matches from 2024.

The start of a new year often brings reflection on the previous year, looking back on the best and the worst of what transpired over the last 12 months. Being a part-time football writer, naturally, I reflected on some of the best football matches throughout the year and have compiled a list of them here. Of course, this is just my opinion, but for some reason or another, these matches stood out to me in a year full of plenty of them.

Spain vs England: Euro Final

Where else to begin but with the biggest match of the year in the Euro Final between Spain and England? Spain had looked like the best team all tournament, while England had wobbled their way all the way to the final through last-minute equalizers and penalty shootouts. As far as finals go, this one was pretty entertaining. Despite loads of possession in the first half, Spain failed to find the net. Eventually, they broke through via Nico Williams in the 47th minute. At this point, it seemed like they would glide their way to a 1-0 victory. However, out of absolutely nowhere, Cole Palmer scored a brilliant goal from outside the box. It then seemed like England would somehow scrape their way into penalties however, a little-known Mikel Oyarzabal pulled an 86th-minute winner out of thin air—maybe not a classic final, but certainly an entertaining one nonetheless. This victory capped off an incredible couple of seasons for Spanish football both domestically and internationally.

Real Madrid vs Dortmund: UCL Final

For the entirety of the 2023/24 Champions League campaign, Real Madrid felt like an unstoppable force. No matter what happened, they always found some way to prevail. They were only in the final because of Joselu’s two goals past the 88th minute in the second leg of the semi-finals. That’s why it was so fascinating to see Dortmund create numerous chances early on. Both Adeyemi and Fullkrug had excellent opportunities that could have put Dortmund up by two goals heading into the half. However, every football fan knows that failure to capitalize would eventually come back to bite the German club. That’s exactly what happened after Dani Carvajal scored in the 74th minute from a Toni Kroos corner. From there, the game fell out of Dortmund’s hands, and shortly after Vinicius added a second goal to seal the deal. While Real Madrid ultimately won this game, it was certainly not one-sided and entertaining for the vast majority. Of course, it is also the UCL Final so every little chance means so much more. As far as finals go I would say this one was certainly memorable.

Barcelona vs Villarreal: La Liga

Barcelona controlled much of the ball for the first half of this game but failed to capitalize, and eventually, Villarreal took the lead in the 41st minute. Then, just 9 minutes into the second half, they jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Then, with a half hour to play, something clicked for Barcelona, they went on to score three goals in the span of 10 minutes and had a 3-2 lead with 19 minutes to go. From there, it looked like Barcelona could hold on for a sensational comeback victory, however, Gonçalo Guedes made things 3-3 in the 84th minute after a quick counterattack. Barcelona pushed for a late winner in the 8 minutes of stoppage time. Then, in the 99th minute, some shambolic defending from Xavi’s side allowed Sørloth to snatch a likely late winner for Villarreal. But still, play continued past the 100-minute mark, and Ronald Araújo nearly equalized for Barcelona before Villarreal went the other way, and Morales made it 5-3 in the 12th minute of stoppage time. What a match this was: Villarreal jumped out to a two-goal lead, and Barcelona roared all the way back, only for Villarreal to mount an extremely late comeback of their own. Additionally, there were 7 goals in the second half!

Real Madrid vs Manchester City: UCL Semi-Finals First Leg

The second leg of this tie was an absolute snooze-fest, where Madrid held strong and fought off a City entourage to eventually progress. However, the first leg was the exact opposite: the match ended 3-3 with the goals coming in patches. There were three goals in the first 14 minutes and three in a 13-minute span late into the second half. This game was certainly entertaining from start to finish, and you honestly had no idea how it was going to end. This was not a high-scoring game because of sloppy defending. It was a match of the highest quality between arguably the two best teams in the world at the time. Foden, Gvardiol, and Valverde all scored absolute screamers. This was the match that required a big exhale after it ended. Not to mention the stakes with the UCL favorites meeting in the quarterfinals. Oh, and how about the UCL goal of the season from Federico Valverde that made it 3-3 in the 79th minute:

Liverpool vs Manchester United: FA Cup Quarterfinals

FA Cup ties between “big” Premier League teams tend to either be really boring or absolute thrillers. It is safe to say this match was the latter. Scott McTominay shocked Liverpool after giving United a 1-0 lead just 10 minutes in. Liverpool then struck twice through Salah and MacCallister in quick concession before the break to take a 2-1 lead. Just as it seemed Klopp’s side would move on to the semi-finals, out of nowhere, Anthony scored a brilliant equalizer in the 87th minute. Marcus Rashford had a golden chance at the end of full-time to win the match but failed to convert, sending the match to an extra 30 minutes. In extra time, Liverpool thought they had the match wrapped up again after Harvey Elliots’s 105th-minute screamer. However, Marcus Rashford redeemed his earlier miss and equalized things at 3-3 in the 112th minute. Then, just as the match was set to go to penalties, a then-little-known Amad Diallo snatched a last-gasp winner in the 121st minute. This match had me on the edge of my seat from start to finish, and it truly had it all. It will surely go down as an FA Cup classic.

Manchester United vs Chelsea: Premier League

Going into this game, both sides were laboring, struggling to get points. However, in this match, both sides showed truly special glimpses. It started with Connor Gallagher giving Chelsea the lead just four minutes in. Fifteen minutes later, a Palmer penalty made it 2-0. At this point, it seemed Chelsea had a total grip on the match. However, quick goals by Garnacho and Fernandes in the 34th and 39th minute, respectively, left the match tied at 2-2 heading into halftime. In the 67th minute, Garnacho got on the end of a brilliant Anthony cross to give United a 3-2 lead after having once trailed 2-0. If the match had ended there, it would have been a good one, what followed was what made it great. Deep into stoppage time, Anthony clipped Madueke in the box, and eventually, a spot kick was awarded for Chelsea. Palmer dispatched it to tie things at 3-3. The referee allowed more time due to the VAR review, even though there was only supposed to be 8 minutes. Chelsea took a corner quickly, and the ball fell to Cole Palmer, whose shot was deflected into the back of the net with one of the last kicks of the game to send Stamford Bridge into pandemonium. This match was an absolute roller coaster filled with plenty of goals and drama. It showed that Cole Palmer was not simply some random breakout player but rather one of the best in the Premier League. Even though it didn’t have any title race or top-four implications, this still goes down as a Premier League epic and it certainly had me intrigued from the start.

Spain vs France: Euro Semi-Finals

Coming into this match, France had been poor for most of the tournament and hadn’t scored a goal from open play throughout the entirety of the tournament (all were either own goals or penalties). However, just 15 minutes in, Kolo Mulani got on the end of a Mbappé cross to give France a 1-0 lead. It seemed like the tide could be turning for Deschamps’s side. Then, in the 21st minute, Lamine Yamal produced the goal of the tournament with an absolute screamer into the top corner. Just four minutes later, Dani Olmo gave Spain a 2-1 lead after some brilliant control and a lovely finish. France made a strong push for an equalizer in the second half, but it never came, and Spain progressed to the final, and we all know what happened there. This game just had the Euro “vibe” to it: a tight contest between two good teams that was turned on its head in mere minutes. Plus, Yamal’s goal will be in compilations for years to come:

Barcelona vs PSG: UCL Quarterfinal First Leg

This game was rather dull through the first 45 minutes, with Raphina providing the lone goal, giving Barca a 1-0 advantage come halftime. However, the second half saw an explosion of goals. The first came via Dembele 3 minutes into the second period. Vitinha struck two minutes later to give PSG a 2-1 lead. Then, in the 62nd minute, Raphina added his second goal after a lovely volley getting on the end of a beautiful Pedri through ball. Barcelona then won the match in the 77th minute via a Christensen header. Both teams were wide open which made for an enticing 90 minutes with loads of chances for both sides. There were also plenty of other storylines, Dembele’s return to Barca, Raphina’s emergence, and PSG’s UCL struggles.

Bayern vs Real Madrid: UCL Semis 2d leg

It is hard for two historic teams like Real Madrid and Bayern Munich to produce a poor tie in the UCL knockouts. The first leg was certainly enticing, ending in a 2-2 draw, but the second leg was absolutely thrilling. Two of the best teams in Europe battling it out at The Bernabéu for 90 minutes with a UCL final birth on the line. What more could you ask for? Eventually, Alphonso Davies broke the 0-0 deadlock with just 20 minutes to play with an absolutely superb strike. Real Madrid made a strong surge forward in the final minutes, prying for an equalizer. Just as it seemed that one wouldn’t come, Neuer committed an atrocious error on a Vinicius shot, allowing Joselu, of all people, to smash home the rebound, leveling the game at 1-1. Then, just 2 minutes later, Joselu scored another tap-in off a Rüdiger cross. Initially, the goal wasn’t given for offside, but a VAR check proved that Joselu had, in fact, been onside. Then, with one of the last kicks of the game, Mathijs De Ligt thought he had found a late winner, but the play had controversially been stopped for offside seconds before. This game truly had it all: a wonder goal, a late Madrid comeback, Joselu’s emergence from nowhere, and plenty of controversy.

Manchester City vs Newcastle: Premier League

Newcastle had taken a step back last season since their 4th place finish in 2023/24, but every time they play at St. James Park, they are no pushovers. City would take the lead through Bernardo Silva 26 minutes into the contest. However, Newcastle followed this up with two goals of their own in a span of 2 minutes just 10 minutes after the opening goal. Going into the half, the home side led 2-1. In the second half, Kevin De Bruyne was subbed off as he returned from a hamstring injury that he had picked up in the opening game of the Premier League season back in August. But could the Belgian midfielder make a difference? Yes, he could. In the 74th minute, he delivered a signature Kevin De Bruyne goal from outside the box to tie things at 2-2. In the final 15 minutes, City pushed still for a winner. However, Erling Haaland was also injured at the time, and Julian Alvarez was struggling in front of goal. But then, into the 2nd and final minute of stoppage time, KDB played a beautiful ball over the top into the path of substitute Oscar Bobb, who cooly controlled the ball and slotted it home under pressure. This game will be remembered for the epic comeback mounted in large part by Kevin De Bruyne and the last-minute winner. Additionally, if City had not been able to find that last-minute goal, it could have Arsenal holding the Premier League trophy at the end of the season.