Biggest wins and highest scoring matches in Champions League history

Discover the biggest wins and highest scoring matches in Champions League history, from record-breaking margins to thrilling comebacks.

From unforgettable thrashings to goal-filled spectacles, the biggest wins and highest scoring matches in Champions League history continue to define European soccer. These moments show how legends are made on the grandest stage.

Among the most iconic in modern memory stands Bayern Munich’s crushing 8–2 win over Barcelona in 2020. That clash became a symbol of dominance and one of the clearest reminders of the competition’s brutal side.

Yet, the tournament’s legacy stretches far beyond one night. From early classics to recent blowouts, these epic scorelines reflect the drama, the unpredictability, and the relentless pursuit of glory across decades.

Biggest wins in Champions League history

Big scorelines in Europe’s premier competition are rare, but when they happen, they send shockwaves across the continent. Historically, the Champions League has leaned on balance: elite teams clashing under the brightest lights, where margins are usually slim.

• Juventus 7–0 Olympiakos (2003) | In Turin, the Italian giants gave a masterclass in finishing. David Trezeguet and Marcelo Zalayeta ran riot, while Olympiakos had no answers. It underlined Juve’s European credentials in the early 2000s.

• Liverpool 8–0 Beşiktaş (2007) | Anfield erupted as Rafa Benítez’s men tore through the Turkish giants. It was the first time a team won by such a margin in the Champions League, with Yossi Benayoun grabbing a hat-trick. More than a win, it was a message of intent.

• Arsenal 7–0 Slavia Praha (2007) | At the Emirates Stadium, Arsenal overpowered Slavia Prague with a flawless display of attacking soccer. Thierry Henry and Cesc Fàbregas orchestrated the scoring, exploiting every defensive lapse. The Gunners’ fluid movement and clinical finishing ensured one of their most memorable European wins of the decade.

• Žilina 0–7 Marseille (2010) | Marseille traveled to Slovakia and delivered a masterclass in offensive soccer against Žilina. Goals from André Ayew and Loïc Rémy, combined with relentless team pressure, highlighted the gulf in class between the sides, producing one of the competition’s most comprehensive away victories.

• Valencia 7–0 Genk (2011) | Valencia dominated Genk at Mestalla in a commanding 7–0 victory. Roberto Soldado and David Villa spearheaded the attack, showcasing technical skill, precise passing, and lethal finishing. Genk struggled to respond, highlighting Valencia’s attacking depth and European pedigree.

• Bayern München 7–0 Basel (2012) | Bayern Munich’s seven-goal demolition of Basel reflected the German side’s efficiency in both attack and transition play. With Thomas Müller and Mario Gomez leading the line, Bayern controlled the tempo and left Basel with little chance to mount a meaningful response.

• BATE Borisov 0–7 Shakhtar Donetsk (2014) | Shakhtar Donetsk completely outclassed BATE Borisov in Belarus. Goals from Fred, Luiz Adriano, and Bernard highlighted the Ukrainian team’s attacking versatility, while BATE’s defensive vulnerabilities were brutally exposed in one of the biggest away wins in Champions League history.

• Real Madrid 8–0 Malmö (2015) | Cristiano Ronaldo scored four goals, Karim Benzema added a double, and Madrid’s star power was too much for the Swedish champions. It remains Los Blancos’ biggest win in European play, a reminder of their ruthless pedigree.

• Bayern München 7–0 Shakhtar Donetsk (2015) | Bayern Munich asserted their authority in Europe by crushing Shakhtar Donetsk 7–0. The German side’s relentless pressing and lethal finishing left the visitors defenseless, marking another night of absolute dominance in the knockout stages.

• Barcelona 7–0 Celtic (2016) | Barcelona overwhelmed Celtic at Camp Nou with a masterclass in possession and attacking soccer. Lionel Messi, Luis Suárez, and Neymar combined to exploit defensive gaps, turning the match into one of the club’s most lopsided European victories.

• Maribor 0–7 Liverpool (2017) | Liverpool’s clash in Slovenia showcased Jürgen Klopp’s attacking philosophy in action. Goals from Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, and Roberto Firmino dismantled Maribor’s defense, producing one of the Reds’ most memorable away performances in the Champions League.

• Liverpool 7–0 Spartak Moskva (2017) | At Anfield, Liverpool recorded a dominant 7–0 victory over Spartak Moscow. The team’s high-tempo pressing, creative interplay, and clinical finishing left the Russian side exposed throughout the match, underscoring Liverpool’s European pedigree.

• Manchester City 7–0 Schalke 04 (2019) | Pep Guardiola’s City dismantled Schalke in a knockout tie. Goals from Sterling, Sané, and company sealed one of the most one-sided knockout-stage results ever. It was a statement that City were ready to compete with Europe’s elite.

• Bayern München 9–2 GNK Dinamo (2024) | Bayern Munich dismantled Dinamo Zagreb in a record-setting performance at the Allianz Arena. Harry Kane scored four goals, while the team’s relentless attacking pressure left the Croatian side struggling to cope. Dinamo managed two goals, but Bayern’s dominance was undeniable, marking one of the most remarkable victories in modern Champions League history.

• Paris Saint-Germain 7–0 Brest (2025) | PSG delivered an emphatic home victory against Brest, with Kylian Mbappé, Neymar, and Lionel Messi leading the offensive onslaught. The French side’s combination of pace, precision, and creativity turned the game into a showcase of their European dominance.

Highest scoring matches in Champions League history

The Champions League is often defined by tactical battles and cagey affairs, but every so often it produces chaos. Matches where defence seems optional and attack rules the night remind fans that soccer, at its core, is entertainment.

• Monaco 8–3 Deportivo La Coruña (2003)

At the Stade Louis II, fans expected a tense group-stage battle. Instead, they got an 11-goal thriller that still stands as one of the most astonishing results in Champions League history. Dado Pršo stole the show, scoring four goals on his birthday — a feat that instantly made him a cult hero.

Monaco’s relentless counterattacks tore apart a Deportivo side that had been among Spain’s most competitive outfits at the time. The final whistle left everyone stunned: not only was it one of the highest-scoring games ever, it showed that Monaco could punch well above their weight. They went on to reach the final that season, and this match remains a defining chapter in their European journey.

• Villarreal 6–3 Aalborg (2008)

This lesser-remembered clash was pure entertainment. Villarreal, playing at El Madrigal, put six past Danish side Aalborg in a group-stage encounter that showcased Spanish flair. Giuseppe Rossi and Robert Pirès were central to the action, with Villarreal’s midfield dictating the tempo and cutting through Aalborg’s backline almost at will.

What made the game memorable wasn’t just the nine goals but the balance: Aalborg managed to net three times themselves, refusing to go quietly. For the neutral fan, it was one of those nights where every attack looked like it might end in the back of the net. For Villarreal, it was proof they could thrill on the continental stage, even if they weren’t traditional European giants.

• Paris Saint-Germain 7–2 Rosenborg (2000)

Long before the Qatari era and Neymar, Messi, or Mbappé, PSG delivered one of their earliest European statements. Against Rosenborg, the French club showed attacking intent rarely seen at the time in Ligue 1 sides. Seven goals at the Parc des Princes highlighted the individual brilliance of players like Nicolas Anelka and Laurent Robert, who dictated the night with pace and creativity.

For Rosenborg, a regular presence in the Champions League during the 1990s and 2000s, it was a humbling defeat. Their defense, normally disciplined, crumbled under PSG’s pressure. The final 7–2 scoreline secured PSG a place in the record books and remains one of the benchmarks for high-scoring nights in the French club’s European history.

• Lyon 7–2 Werder Bremen (2005)

Lyon showcased their attacking brilliance by defeating Werder Bremen 7–2 in the second leg of the Round of 16 at Stade de Gerland. Sidney Govou and Jérémy Berthod were among the scorers, leading Lyon to a commanding aggregate score and a spot in the quarter-finals. Despite Bremen’s efforts, Lyon’s offensive firepower proved too much to handle.

• Borussia Dortmund 8–4 Legia Warsaw (2016)

The Signal Iduna Park crowd witnessed a night for the ages: twelve goals in a single Champions League match, the highest ever recorded. Dortmund scored five times in the first half alone, with Shinji Kagawa and Marco Reus both bagging braces. Legia, despite being heavily outmatched, managed four goals of their own, turning the night into a chaotic goal festival.

The result wasn’t just about statistics — it reflected Dortmund’s attacking philosophy under Thomas Tuchel, a team that pressed high and punished every mistake. For Legia, scoring four at one of Europe’s toughest venues was bittersweet: pride in attack, but embarrassment in defence.

• Tottenham Hotspur 2–7 Bayern München (2019)

In a high-scoring encounter at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, Bayern Munich triumphed over Tottenham Hotspur with a 7–2 victory. Serge Gnabry was the standout performer, scoring four goals, while Robert Lewandowski added two. Despite an early lead from Tottenham, Bayern’s offensive onslaught secured a commanding win.

• Barcelona 2–8 Bayern München (2020)

In a stunning quarter-final clash held in Lisbon, Bayern Munich dismantled Barcelona with an 8–2 victory that shocked the soccer world. Thomas Müller opened the scoring early, and despite an equalizer from David Alaba’s own goal, Bayern surged ahead with goals from Ivan Perišić, Serge Gnabry, and Philippe Coutinho. Barcelona’s defense was overwhelmed, and Bayern’s clinical finishing ensured a place in the semifinals.

• Manchester City 6–3 RB Leipzig (2021)

Manchester City overcame RB Leipzig 6–3 in a thrilling group stage match at the Etihad Stadium. Despite a hat-trick from Leipzig’s Christopher Nkunku, City’s attacking prowess, led by Jack Grealish and Nathan Aké, ensured a high-scoring victory. The match was a testament to City’s offensive capabilities in European competition.

• Paris Saint-Germain 7–2 Maccabi Haifa (2022)

Paris Saint-Germain secured a dominant 7–2 victory over Maccabi Haifa at the Parc des Princes. Lionel Messi and Kylian Mbappé each scored twice, while Neymar also contributed to the scoreline. Despite Maccabi Haifa’s efforts, PSG’s attacking trio proved too formidable, leading to a comprehensive win.

• Bayern München 9–2 Dinamo Zagreb (2024)

In a record-breaking performance at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich delivered one of the most emphatic victories in Champions League history. Harry Kane led the charge with four goals, including a hat-trick of penalties, setting a new benchmark for the most goals by a single player in a European Cup match. Raphaël Guerreiro, Michael Olise, Leroy Sané, and Leon Goretzka also found the net, showcasing Bayern’s offensive prowess. Despite goals from Bruno Petković and Takuya Ogiwara for Dinamo Zagreb, the Croatian side couldn’t withstand Bayern’s relentless attack, culminating in a 9–2 rout.

• Benfica 4–5 Barcelona (2025)

In a dramatic group stage match, Barcelona edged out Benfica 5–4 in Lisbon. Despite a first-half hat-trick from Vangelis Pavlidis, Barcelona mounted a comeback with goals from Robert Lewandowski, Eric García, and a brace from Raphinha, including a last-minute winner. The match was a testament to Barcelona’s resilience and attacking depth.

Iconic high-scoring thrillers

What makes a match iconic isn’t always the final score, but the stakes, the atmosphere, and the sense that history is being rewritten in real time. The Champions League has given fans countless such nights — games where belief overcame logic, and where goals carried the weight of destiny.

• Barcelona 6–1 Paris Saint-Germain (2017)

“La Remontada.” After losing 4–0 in Paris, Barça returned to Camp Nou with an impossible task. Neymar orchestrated the comeback with two goals and an assist, and Sergi Roberto’s late strike sealed one of soccer’s greatest shocks.

• Liverpool 4–0 Barcelona (2019)

Anfield has seen miracles, but few compare to overturning a 3–0 first-leg deficit against Messi’s Barça. Divock Origi and Gini Wijnaldum struck twice each, while Trent Alexander-Arnold’s quick corner remains one of the cleverest assists ever.

• Roma 3–0 Barcelona (2018)

The Italian underdogs produced a night for the ages at the Stadio Olimpico. Kostas Manolas’ header capped a famous comeback that sent Roma into the semifinals, proving no lead is truly safe in Europe.

• Chelsea 4–4 Liverpool (2009)

Two English giants met in a quarter-final second leg that was pure chaos. Goals rained in from Drogba, Lampard, and Torres, and the tie ended with eight goals shared and fans breathless worldwide.

Complete Champions League biggest results table