Top five dignity saving comebacks
Scotland needed Stephen McManus' late strike against Liechtenstein last night to secure the three points they really should have gained easily. But Scotland needn't be too worried about things just yet, they're not the first team who've had to rely on some late heroics to dig them out of a hole. Here are our top five dramatic escapes...
Argentina v Peru, 2009
The free-scoring Argentina of the World Cup bore very little resemblance to the side that struggled so badly in qualifying. They headed into their penultimate game of South American qualifying having lost their previous three games and needing a win. Gonzalo Higuain put Argentina in front, but a 90th minute equaliser from Peru's Hernán Rengifo looked to have given the underdogs a share of the points. But then walking wardrobe Martin Palermo popped up two minutes later with the winner to send Diego Maradona even crazier than normal.
San Marino v Republic of Ireland, 2007
San Marino have lost their last 36 games in a row and are - quite frankly - pretty awful. But they nearly got a rare draw in 2007 when Michele Marani got a late equaliser for the minnows. However, their hopes of picking up a point in the Euro 2008 qualifier were dashed in the 90th minute when Stephen Ireland poked home an even later winner.
Luton v Liverpool, 2006
Everything looked like it was going to plan when Steven Gerrard curled home the opening goal for the Reds in this FA Cup clash. However, Luton then scored three goals without reply to set-up a massive shock against the European champions. Liverpool fought back though, and a couple of goals each from Sinama Pongolle and Xabi Alonso gave Liverpool a comfortable(ish) win.
Burnley v Tottenham Hotspur, 2009
There may not have been quite the same gulf in class as the other games, but the collapse of Spurs in the second-leg of this Carling Cup semi-final was something to behold. The north London side were 4-1 up after the first leg, before Burnley came back to win the second match 3-0 and take the game to extra-time. Everything looked set for a great cup shock, but Roman Pavlyuchenko and Jermain Defoe bagged a goal each in extra-time to send Spurs to Wembley.
England v Greece, 2001
England had done all the hard work - they'd overcome a six point deficit to top the qualifying table ahead of Germany, and all they needed to do to get to the World Cup was to see off a very average Greece side at Old Trafford. However, they had to rely on Germany drawing 0-0 with Finland and brilliant last minute free-kick from David Beckham to secure qualification.
Think we're right? What about Jimmy Glass' winner to keep Carlise in the Football League? Let us know below...
Published: 8 Sep 2010
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