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Worst cup finals of all time | Top 5

Bayern Munich vs. PSG had the potential to be a blockbuster Champions League final. However, the reality proved something of a damp squib with the widely expected glut of goals stubbornly refusing to arrive. It said a lot that Bayern captain Manuel Neuer was arguably the best player in the game, with team-mate Kingsley Coman scoring to secure a tight 1-0 win. It was all rather underwhelming but then major finals often are. We’ve put together a list of the five worst cup finals of all time.

 

5 of the worst cup final ever

 

1990 World Cup final: West Germany 1-0 Argentina

West Germany earned revenge over Argentina with a 1-0 win in the 1990 World Cup final, making up for their defeat four years earlier, but the match was rather forgettable.

Pedro Monzon became the first player to be shown a red card in a World Cup final – a good effort, given he had not long been on the field as a substitute – while his team-mate Gustavo Dezotti also headed to an early bath as Argentina finished the game with nine men on the pitch.

For such a dirty game it was perhaps fitting that the only goal came from the spot, with Andreas Brehme tucking the ball home from 12 yards to secure glory for the Germans. One of the worst cup finals ever was a disappointing end to one of the greatest World Cups.

 

2007 FA Cup final: Chelsea 1-0 Manchester United (after extra time)

The FA Cup has provided some stinkers when it comes to finals but the 2007 showpiece between Chelsea and Manchester United simply has to be considered among the worst ever.

Swiftly dubbed the most boring cup final of all time by fans and pundits alike, Chelsea lifted the trophy at the new Wembley Stadium thanks to a goal in extra time by Didier Drogba – a man for the big occasion on a regular basis for the Blues.

Both teams lined up with defensive tactics and most onlookers had probably nodded off by the time Drogba finally put everyone out of their misery with the winning goal.

 

Euro 2004 final: Portugal 0-1 Greec

It was an incredible story but a terrible game. Portugal boasted Luis Figo, Deco and a young Cristiano Ronaldo among their all-star XI and they were heavy favourites to win the final on home soil in Lisbon.

But Greece, who were an 80-1 shot to win the tournament when it kicked off, spoiled the party. Angelos Charisteas netted the only goal of the game as Greece triumphed against the odds.

German boss Otto Rehhagel had Greece brilliantly organised but it was tough to watch for the neutrals. Ronaldo’s tears provided the most memorable moment of one of the worst cup finals in living memory, though Greece enjoyed every minute.

 

2003 Champions League final: Juventus 0-0 AC Milan (2-3 on penalties)

Draws are rare in the Champions League final but nothing apart from penalties could split Italian giants Juventus and AC Milan when they battled it out in 2003.

AC Milan had finished only fourth in Serie A – Juventus were Italy’s champions, naturally – but the Rossoneri edged to victory in stifling fashion at Old Trafford.

Andriy Shevchenko thought he had scored an early opener for Milan but the goal was controversially ruled out for offside. That was the closest either side came to breaking the deadlock in 120 stodgy minutes of ‘action’.

Shevchenko converted the winning penalty after David Trezeguet, Marcelo Zalayeta and Paolo Montero all failed to score from the spot for Juve. Even the penalties were pretty rubbish.

 

1975 Football League Cup final: Aston Villa 1-0 Norwich City

Arguably the lowest-quality final in English football history and certainly one of the worst cup final ever. Both Aston Villa and Norwich City were outside of the top-flight and it showed in their lack of elite skills at the old Wembley.

Even the winning goal, which was scored with only a few minutes to go, was a bit of a shambles. Norwich goalkeeper Kevin Keelan saved a penalty from Ray Graydon but the Villa man got to the loose ball first to force it home.

There were over 95,000 people inside Wembley on the day but it is unlikely many of them – even the Villa supporters – remember that game.

It was a great occasion for Villa boss Ron Saunders, though, as he had suffered defeats in each of the two previous League Cup finals, with Norwich in 1973 and Manchester City in 1974.

 


 

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