10 Incredible Sports Comebacks That Fans Will Never Forget

Entering the final day of the 2012 Ryder Cup, the Europeans trailed the United States 6-10 and needed an almost insurmountable 8 1/2 points to win. The Europeans front loaded their strong players to build early momentum which led to an afternoon of stunning golf, culminating with Martin Kaymer sinking an 8 footer on the 18th green to retain the Ryder Cup for the Europeans. The comeback was so staggering that the event was later coined the “Miracle at Medinah.”

The New England Patriots were trailing 28-3 in the third quarter of the Super Bowl against the Atlanta Falcons in 2017. Tom Brady rallied with 17 minutes remaining to close the 25-point defect and tie the game at the end of regulation. The game was decided in overtime where the Patriots prevailed, making it the largest comeback in Super Bowl history as well as the first Super Bowl game to be decided in overtime.

Widely considered one of the greatest players in the modern golf era, Tiger Woods has set countless records and created many memorable moments over his career, perhaps none greater than his win at the 2019 Masters. Tiger hadn’t won a major since the 2008 US Open and was struggling with injuries in prior years that brought his ability to play golf into question, let alone compete. This made his one-shot victory at the 2019 Masters even more mind-blowing and cemented it as an all-time comeback.

Liverpool pulled out one of the most memorable and miraculous comebacks against AC Milan at the 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul. Trailing 0-3 at the half, it looked like Liverpool’s bid for the trophy had ended, but a seven-minute blitz in the second half saw three goals scored by Liverpool and a tied game at the end of regulation. Liverpool won in a shootout, making it one of the all-time greatest comebacks in the minds of football fans.

Oracle Team USA, led by skipper James Spithill, had struggled on the upwind leg during the first 9 races of the 2013 America’s Cup, finding themselves down 8-1 in the best-of-17 sailing race format, one race away from defeat. When everything was on the line, Spithill and the team rallied and won the next 9 races straight, making it the greatest comeback in sailing history.

Trailing three games to one in the 2016 World Series, the Chicago Cubs were one game away from packing their bags and losing the championship to the Cleveland Indians, which are now named the Cleveland Guardians. The Cubs went on to win the remaining four games, winning the 2016 World Series and making them only the 6th team in history to come back from a 3-1 series deficit in the World Series.

Dave Wottle’s stunning comeback in the 800-meter final at the 1972 Olympics in Munich is a masterclass of never giving up and pushing to the very end. Wottle had a tough start and was in last place with less than 400 meters remaining. He caught the pack with 300 meters to go and since he was able to start his kick later due to his slower start, and ultimately overtook the leaders down the final 100 meters to take home gold by the slimmest of margins.

The 2022 Kentucky Derby was conquered by the unlikeliest of horses, Rich Strike, who had 80:1 odds going into the race. The overhead video of the race was truly incredible, as Rich Strike started the race near last place and weaved a complex path through the other horses, becoming the second-biggest longshot in Kentucky Derby history, behind Donerail in 1913 who won against 91:1 odds.

Juan Martín Del Potro pulled off a world-class comeback at the 2009 US Open Finals in New York’s Arthur Ashe Stadium. Trailing two sets to one against defending champion and first seed Roger Federer, sixth seed del Potro took the fourth set in a tiebreak and decidedly closed out the fifth set to claim his first and only major championship title.

The Boston Red Sox pulled off a stunning comeback against the New York Yankees during the 2004 American League Championship Series. Down 3-0 in the best-of-7 series, the Red Sox won the next four straight games to take the series from the Yankees. What made this comeback even more amazing is the Red Sox then went on to win the World Series in straight games against the St. Louis Cardinals, taking home their first championship since 1918.