The Greatest Final Day Title Races in Football History
Football is at its most thrilling when a title race goes down to the wire, with every pass, shot, and save carrying the weight of an entire season. Some teams hold their nerve and claim glory, while others crumble under the pressure, left haunted by what could have been. Here, we relive some of the most intense final-day title races in football history, where everything was at stake until the very last moment.
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1. 1995/96 Premier League – Newcastle’s "I Would Love It" Collapse
The 1995/96 Premier League season is remembered for one of the most dramatic title collapses ever. Newcastle United, under Kevin Keegan, played dazzling, attacking football and at one point held a 12-point lead over Manchester United.
Final Day Drama:
Going into the last round, Manchester United were two points ahead of Newcastle.
Newcastle needed a win and a United slip-up to claim the title.
Newcastle beat Tottenham 1-0, but it didn’t matter. Manchester United comfortably defeated Middlesbrough 3-0, securing their third Premier League title in four years.
Newcastle’s infamous downfall was encapsulated by Keegan’s emotional rant:
> “I would love it if we beat them, love it!”
It was a season that promised so much but ended in heartbreak for Newcastle fans.
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2. 2002/03 Scottish Premiership – Rangers and Celtic’s Goal Chase
The 2002/03 Scottish Premiership title race was not just about winning—it was about winning by enough goals. Rangers and Celtic went into the final day tied on points, but Rangers had a one-goal advantage in goal difference.
Final Day Drama:
Both teams knew that every goal mattered.
Rangers faced Dunfermline, while Celtic played against Kilmarnock.
The two Glasgow giants went on a goal-scoring frenzy:
Celtic won 4-0, but Rangers matched them with a 6-1 demolition.
A last-minute penalty from Mikel Arteta ensured Rangers edged Celtic by just one goal to win the league.
It was an incredible race where even one missed chance could have changed history.
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3. 2006/07 Eredivisie – Three Teams, One Champion
In one of the craziest finishes in Dutch football, the 2006/07 Eredivisie title was decided on goal difference between three teams—AZ Alkmaar, Ajax, and PSV Eindhoven.
Final Day Drama:
AZ Alkmaar, Ajax, and PSV all had a chance to win the title.
AZ were in pole position, needing just a win against lowly Excelsior.
Then, chaos ensued:
AZ shockingly lost 3-2, throwing the title race wide open.
Ajax won 2-0, thinking they had done enough.
But PSV thrashed Vitesse 5-1, overtaking Ajax on goal difference by just one goal.
PSV snatched the title from both rivals, capping off one of the wildest final days in league history.
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4. 1993/94 La Liga – Deportivo’s Last-Minute Heartbreak
La Liga’s 1993/94 season ended in heartbreak for Deportivo La Coruña, who came within one penalty kick of their first-ever league title.
Final Day Drama:
Deportivo and Barcelona were tied on points, but Deportivo had the edge.
A win against Valencia would secure them the title, while Barcelona needed a victory and Deportivo to drop points.
With Barcelona winning 5-2 against Sevilla, Deportivo needed a late goal. Then, in the 89th minute, they won a penalty. Miroslav Đukić stepped up...
He missed.
The match ended 0-0, and Barcelona won the league on goal difference, leaving Deportivo devastated.
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5. 1994/95 Premier League – Blackburn Win, United Fall Short
The 1994/95 season was supposed to be the moment Manchester United completed another comeback. Instead, Blackburn Rovers defied the odds to lift their first league title in 81 years.
Final Day Drama:
Blackburn led by two points but had to face Liverpool at Anfield.
United needed to beat West Ham and hope Blackburn dropped points.
Blackburn lost 2-1, meaning a United win would steal the title. However, West Ham’s goalkeeper, Luděk Mikloško, pulled off save after save, and United only drew 1-1.
Despite losing, Blackburn won the title by one point, leading to emotional celebrations for Alan Shearer and Kenny Dalglish.
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6. 1963/64 Serie A – The Only Title Playoff in History
This remains the only time a Serie A title was decided by a playoff. Bologna and Inter Milan finished the season level on points, and back then, goal difference wasn’t a tiebreaker—so a one-off title decider was scheduled.
The Historic Playoff:
Played on June 7, 1964, at the Stadio Olimpico.
Inter were favorites under Helenio Herrera, but Bologna delivered a shocking upset.
Bologna won 2-0, with an own goal from Giacinto Facchetti and a strike from Harald Nielsen, sealing their first and only Serie A title.
After this, Serie A introduced goal difference as a tiebreaker, ensuring this was the only title playoff in Italian history.
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7. 1999/2000 Serie A – Lazio’s Title, Juventus’ Nightmare in the Rain
The 1999/2000 Serie A title race came down to Juventus and Lazio, with Juventus entering the final day leading by two points. Everything seemed set for Juventus to win the Scudetto, but then, in a cruel twist of fate, the weather and pressure conspired against them.
Final Day Drama:
Juventus only needed a win against Perugia to be champions.
Lazio had to beat Reggina and hope Juventus slipped up.
Lazio won 3-0, meaning all eyes turned to Perugia vs. Juventus.
At halftime, the score was 0-0, and then... the rain came.
A torrential downpour flooded the Stadio Renato Curi, forcing the game to be delayed for over an hour. When play resumed, Juventus looked shaken, and in the 49th minute, Alessandro Calori scored for Perugia. Juventus never recovered.
The match ended 1-0, and Lazio—who had already finished their game—were champions.
It was only the second league title in Lazio’s history.
Juventus players stood in disbelief as Perugia celebrated one of the most famous upsets in Serie A history.
The moment remains one of the greatest collapses in Italian football, proving that in a title race, even nature itself can play a part.
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Final Thoughts
Title races define football history. Whether it’s a last-minute goal, a missed penalty, or an unexpected collapse, these moments live forever in the memories of fans.
Which title race was your favorite?
THANK YOU!
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