Mission impossible: Great sporting comebacks

As Tottenham attempt to overturn a four-goal deficit at the hands of Real Madrid in their Champions League quarter-final, we give them hope by looking back at some of sport's greatest comebacks...

Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan - 2005 Champions League final
Having been thoroughly outclassed in the first-half, Liverpool found themselves facing the enormous task of turning around a three-goal deficit after the break. But a stunning revival saw Rafael Benitez's side score three times in six minutes to draw level. A Steven Gerrard-inspired display saw the Reds go on to claim their fifth Champions League title on penalties.

England v Australia - 1981 Ashes Third Test
Already one Test up in the series, Australia were firmly on top after posting 401-9 and then dismissing England for just 174. Following on, the hosts found themselves 135-7 and on the brink of a second defeat until up stepped Ian Botham.

Beefy smashed 149 from one less delivery to rouse the Headingley crowd. However, victory still remained a tall order as the Aussies required only 130 for victory until Bob Willis took 8-43 to send the visitors tumbling and level the series - a series which England would go on to win 3-1.

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich - 1999 Champions League final
Trailing 0-1 going into injury time at the end of 90 minutes and with Bayern ribbons already on the trophy, David Beckham swung in a corner which eventually fell to substitute Teddy Sheringham to turn in an equaliser. Seconds later and United had another corner which found its way to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to poke into the roof of the net. United had completed the comeback and with it sealed an historic treble.

Red Rum - 1973 Grand National
1973 saw Red Rum record the first of his three triumphs at Aintree with a remarkable comeback to pip Crisp at the line. At the final fence, Crisp's lead was 15 lengths, having been double that earlier in the race, but the Australian horse was tiring as Red Rum made up considerable ground to win in a then record time.

Lasse Viren - 1972 Olympic Games
In the 10,000m final, the Finnish runner tripped and fell on lap 12 which seemed to seal his fate, but with only two laps remaining, Viren recovered to catch the leading pack to bring back to gold medal from Munich. He followed his remarkable feat by taking gold in the 5,000m a week later.