From Nou Camp to New England Patriots – 5 great sporting comebacks

From Nou Camp to New England Patriots – 5 great sporting comebacks

England snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to level their one-day international series against Australia while hours later Dominic Thiem produced a dogged fightback to overcome Alexander Zverev in the US Open final.

Having set a modest 232 at Emirates Old Trafford, England’s bowlers induced a collapse as Australia slipped from the comfort of 144 for two to 207 all out to lose by 24 runs and set up a series decider on Wednesday.

Across the pond, Thiem looked set to endure more grand slam final heartache after going two sets down in New York, but he rallied to prevail 2-6 4-6 6-4 6-3 7-6 (6) and finally gets his hands on one of the big four trophies.

Here, the PA news agency looks at five other great sporting recoveries.

Miracle at Medinah

The United States appeared to be cruising in the 2012 Ryder Cup after establishing a 10-4 lead over Europe in Saturday afternoon’s four-balls. And even though Ian Poulter reeled off five birdies in a row as he and Rory McIlroy edged out Jason Dufner and Zach Johnson to narrow the deficit to 10-6, the hosts were still in the driving seat. Instead Poulter’s efforts are fondly recalled as the start of a famous comeback as Europe won eight of the 12 Sunday singles matches. Martin Kaymer’s victory over Steve Stricker took Europe to the 14 points they needed to retain the crown while Tiger Woods’ bogey in the final hole of the match ensured a scarcely credible 14.5-13.5 win.

Miracle of Istanbul

When AC Milan went into half-time 3-0 up – with Paolo Maldini’s first-minute header added to by Hernan Crespo’s brace – in the 2005 Champions League final, not even the most optimistic Liverpool fan had any reason for hope. And yet, in the space of seven helter-skelter minutes, they were level before the hour mark as Steven Gerrard’s header, Vladimir Smicer’s long-range effort and Xabi Alonso putting in the rebound after missing a penalty left the Italian giants shell-shocked. Jerzy Dudek had a career-defining night by repelling everything Milan threw at him thereafter before saving from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko as Liverpool clinched a 3-2 penalty shootout victory.

United leave it late at Nou Camp

Teddy Sheringham helped Manchester United stage a remarkable comeback in the 1999 Champions League final
Teddy Sheringham helped Manchester United stage a remarkable comeback in the 1999 Champions League final (Phil Noble/PA)

Brady and the Patriots bunch defy all odds

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Catch me at the parade How Bout Dat

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Stokes masterclass downs Australia

The summer of 2019 was essentially the ‘Ben Stokes Show’. Just a few weeks after his star turn lifted England to World Cup glory, the Durham all-rounder produced an innings for the ages to level the Ashes at Headingley. A record 359 chase seemed fanciful after the hosts – blown away for 67 in their first innings – slipped to 286 for nine. Jack Leach contributed the most famous one not out but Stokes took centre stage, driving, cutting and pulling sumptuously before going into overdrive by reverse slog sweeping Nathan Lyon. His 135 not out evoked comparisons with Sir Ian Botham’s rescue act on the same ground against the same opponents 38 years earlier and although Australia regrouped to retain the urn, Stokes was the name on everyone’s lips.

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