Liverpool's crazy night has made it a perfect 10

Five days later, it is still hard to guess why a cup final trailed in advance by Jordi Cruyff and others as a near-certain soporific proved such a joy. Liverpool v Alaves defied logic to such an extent that at times it bought to mind the immediate aftermath of a revolution when all the old rules are suspended and people invent new ones at will.

France 3, West Germany 3
(World Cup semi-final, 1982)
Had Michel Platini's sublime France held on, this would have been a happier but less unforgettable occasion. It was still 1-1 when Harald Schumacher committed his scandalously unpunished assault on Patrick Battiston's windpipe, but in a heart-stopping extra-time justice seemed at hand when France scored twice. Alas, alas and thrice alas, the Hun recovered, and came from behind again in the penalty shoot-out. Thank God Italy and mad-eyed Marco Tardelli punished the Hun in the final.

Brazil 2, Italy 3
(World Cup second group stage, 1986)
Despite Brazil's arrogant disdain for defending, they were marvellous in defeat. Their second equaliser was one of the all time classics, Cerezo's artful run across the box taking out half the Italian defence and giving Falcao the space to smash home with his left foot. Had Socrates's side denied Rossi his hat-trick to hold on at 2-2, they'd almost certainly have gone on to win the tournament and even, perhaps, rivalled their 1970 forebears for the title of history's best side.

Spain 4, Yugoslavia 3
(group match, Euro 2000)
Needing to win to reach the quarter-final, Spain trailed 2-3 deep into injury time when a dodgy penalty brought them level. The crescendo two minutes later, when Gaizka Mendieta fired home brilliantly from the edge of the box, was enough to have the most jaded neutral off the sofa and joining Motty in screaming at the incredulity of it all.

Tottenham 3, Manchester City 2
(FA Cup final replay, 1981)
Biased? Not a bit. Watch the video and marvel at the sustained drama of a match that had everything (except perhaps a decent brawl), from Glenn Hoddle in his prime and Joe Corrigan's defiant keeping to Steve McKenzie's wonder volley and, of course . . . Ricky Villa, still Ricky Villa, still Ricky Villa - HE'S SCORED. Excuse me, the lachrymals have gone.

Romania 3, Argentina 2
(last 16, World Cup 1994)
Still in shock over Maradona's drug test, the Argies were caught early by two superb Ilie Dumitrescu goals either side of a fine equaliser of their own.When Gheorghe Hagi capped a glorious counter-attack to make it 3-1, it looked all over. And so it was. The most electrifying first half ever seen in a World Cup, although England v Argentina in France '98 came close.

Italy 4, West Germany 3
(World Cup semi-final, 1970)
There has never been an extra-time quite like this one. It was 1-1 and Franz Beckenbauer had his right arm in a sling, before Gerd Muller scored for Germany. Italy struck back twice quickly - and then mayhem. Italian players were prostrate in despair over Muller's equaliser when, from the kick-off (shades here of Alan Sunderland in 1979), Roberto Boninsegna crossed for Gianni Rivera to side foot home. Totally astonishing.