Top 10 Stoppage Time Winners of the 2025

Top 10 Stoppage Time Winners of the 2025 takes you on a thrilling journey through the most unforgettable last-minute goals from the 2025 football season. From international showdowns to high-stakes club competitions, these moments delivered pure drama, unexpected heroes, and breathtaking finishes when the clock was nearly out of time. Whether it was Vinícius Júnior’s 99th-minute stunner for Brazil, Kylian Mbappé’s double strike for Real Madrid in the Club World Cup, or young Valentin Carboni’s breakout goal for Inter Milan, each stoppage-time winner rewrote history and ignited celebrations across stadiums worldwide.

This list spans competitions from the Champions League to World Cup qualifiers, featuring stars like Dembélé, Maguire, Hércules, and rising talents like Trinity Armstrong. These goals didn’t just win matches—they shifted tournaments, saved seasons, and defined careers. Every entry is backed by context, emotion, and the incredible circumstances that made each strike unforgettable.

Perfect for football fans who crave the excitement of clutch moments, this feature dives deep into the top 10 goals that arrived when hope seemed lost—and glory was found. Relive the chaos, the brilliance, and the sheer magic of football’s finest last-minute miracles in the 2025 season.

10. Patrik Schick – Bayer Leverkusen vs Köln (DFB-Pokal Quarterfinal)

In the DFB-Pokal quarterfinal between Bayer Leverkusen and Köln, Patrik Schick delivered a dramatic late equalizer in stoppage time that completely shifted the momentum of the match. Leverkusen had trailed 2–1 deep into added time, and their hopes of reaching the semifinal seemed all but gone. But in the 91st minute, Schick rose highest to head home a beautifully placed corner, sending the home crowd into chaos. That goal dragged the game into extra time, allowing Leverkusen a lifeline they desperately needed in their domestic cup campaign.

What followed was just as iconic—Schick completed the comeback by scoring again in extra time, finishing off a quick counterattack to seal a 3–2 win. It wasn’t just a personal triumph, but a testament to Leverkusen’s grit under pressure. The match has since been hailed as one of the most dramatic of the German season, and Schick’s name echoed across headlines. His coolness and timing in the final minutes helped propel Leverkusen into the semifinals and maintained their treble hopes. Moments like this reaffirm his status as one of Europe’s best late-game performers.

9. Trinity Armstrong – San Diego Wave vs Bay FC (NWSL)

In a breakout moment for women’s football in 2025, rookie Trinity Armstrong scored a stoppage-time winner in the NWSL clash between San Diego Wave and Bay FC. The match was tied at 1–1 and looked set to finish level when Armstrong, brought on in the 85th minute, found herself in the perfect position in the 95th minute. Rising between two defenders, she met a curling cross with a bullet header that rippled the net. The stadium erupted as the 20-year-old bagged her first professional goal in style.

Armstrong’s goal not only gave San Diego Wave a vital three points but also marked her arrival on the professional stage in unforgettable fashion. The goal was widely shared across social media and praised for its timing and composure. Media and fans alike drew comparisons to other iconic debut winners in the sport. This stoppage-time moment reminded many of the growing quality and drama in the women’s game. For Armstrong, it was a career-launching event, and for the league, it was a testament to its rising level of competitiveness and entertainment.

8. Ousmane Dembélé – PSG vs Monaco (Trophée des Champions Final)

Paris Saint-Germain lifted the 2025 Trophée des Champions thanks to a moment of brilliance from Ousmane Dembélé in stoppage time. With the match locked at 0–0 and penalties looming, Dembélé took matters into his own hands in the 91st minute. Receiving the ball near the edge of the box, he weaved through two defenders and drilled a low shot into the corner, leaving the Monaco goalkeeper rooted. It was a moment of elite-level composure and individual brilliance that decided the French Super Cup.

The late winner capped off an excellent night for Dembélé, who had been a constant threat on the flanks throughout the game. His ability to remain decisive under pressure gave PSG their first trophy of 2025 and maintained their domestic dominance. The goal was widely replayed in highlight reels and instantly became one of the top moments of the French season. It not only emphasized Dembélé’s impact at PSG but also reminded fans of his world-class talent when fully fit and confident.

7. Harry Maguire – Manchester United vs Leicester City (FA Cup 5th Round)

In one of the FA Cup’s most dramatic comebacks, Harry Maguire scored a last-gasp winner against his former club, Leicester City. With Manchester United trailing 1–0 in the final minutes, a late equalizer from Marcus Rashford set up a furious finish. As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, Maguire surged forward for a corner kick. Rising above the defense, he met Bruno Fernandes’ delivery with a thunderous header into the back of the net, making it 2–1 and sending Old Trafford into wild celebration.

The goal was a symbolic one for Maguire, who had faced criticism earlier in the season. Scoring the winner against his old team in such dramatic fashion helped change his narrative. For United, it meant progression to the FA Cup quarterfinals and a major confidence boost amid an inconsistent campaign. It showcased the magic of the FA Cup—where legacies can be reshaped in the blink of an eye, and stoppage-time moments live forever in club folklore.

6. Rayan Cherki – Lyon vs Manchester United (UEFA Europa League Quarterfinal, 1st Leg)

Rayan Cherki’s stoppage-time goal against Manchester United in the UEFA Europa League was one of the tournament’s most shocking twists. With Lyon trailing 2–1, the French side pressed hard in the dying minutes. As the clock reached the 93rd minute, goalkeeper André Onana mishandled a back pass under pressure, gifting Cherki a tap-in he couldn’t miss. The ball crossed the line just before the whistle, leveling the game at 2–2 and electrifying the Groupama Stadium crowd.

The goal changed the complexion of the two-legged tie. Instead of going to Old Trafford behind, Lyon traveled with momentum and belief. Cherki’s goal was a symbol of persistence, opportunism, and how pressure can force mistakes at the highest level. It went down as one of the most unexpected and dramatic moments in European football that spring. Analysts and fans debated the error, but Cherki’s cool finish ensured the focus eventually shifted to Lyon’s fighting spirit.

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5. Hércules – Fluminense vs Inter Milan (Club World Cup Round of 16)

In one of the biggest upsets of the 2025 Club World Cup, Brazilian underdogs Fluminense stunned European giants Inter Milan with a stoppage-time dagger from Hércules. The match had already seen Fluminense take a surprise 1–0 lead and battle fiercely to preserve it. As Inter threw bodies forward in the final moments in search of an equalizer, Fluminense broke on a late counterattack. In the 92nd minute, Hércules surged past a tired defense and calmly slotted home the second goal, sealing a 2–0 victory.

The goal didn’t just win the game—it symbolized everything magical about football. Fluminense, not expected to get far in the tournament, knocked out one of the pre-tournament favorites. Hércules became an instant cult hero back in Brazil, and his cool finish was replayed across highlight reels worldwide. For Inter Milan, it was a humbling defeat. For Fluminense, the goal sent shockwaves across the football world and marked their most iconic modern win. That one strike helped shift momentum in the tournament and reminded everyone that football isn’t just about budgets and reputations—it’s about belief, timing, and taking your moment when it comes.

4. Francesco Acerbi – Inter Milan vs Barcelona (Champions League Semi-Final 2nd Leg)

With the Champions League semi-final tie finely balanced, Inter Milan faced elimination as they trailed FC Barcelona deep into stoppage time at the San Siro. In the 96th minute, Inter won a corner—likely the last action of the game. The ball was swung in and deflected off a cluster of bodies before falling kindly to Francesco Acerbi. The veteran Italian defender didn’t hesitate. With composure beyond the moment, he volleyed it through a crowded box to find the net. The stadium exploded. The goal tied the match at 3–3 on aggregate, sending it to extra time.

The importance of Acerbi’s strike can’t be overstated. It came against a Barcelona side full of confidence and attacking flair, and it proved Inter’s never-say-die mentality. Though a defender by trade, Acerbi’s instincts and calm under pressure made him the unexpected hero of the night. The goal shifted the energy entirely; Inter eventually went through on penalties. This dramatic moment was instantly etched into Champions League folklore—another reminder that even in an era of superstars, sometimes it’s the calm, experienced center-back who writes the headlines when the clock strikes 90+.

3. Valentin Carboni – Inter Milan vs Urawa Red Diamonds (Club World Cup Group Stage)

Facing elimination from the Club World Cup, Inter Milan needed a miracle against Urawa Red Diamonds. The Japanese side led for much of the game and defended with tenacity. Inter struggled to find a breakthrough, and time was slipping away fast. Then, in the 88th minute, Lautaro Martínez equalized, giving Inter a flicker of hope. But they still needed a win to avoid crashing out. Enter: Valentin Carboni. In the 92nd minute, the 19-year-old received a pass just outside the box, shimmied past a defender, and drilled the ball low into the net.

The goal sparked chaos and celebration—Inter were alive. Carboni’s moment was more than just a winner; it was the goal that kept their dreams intact. For such a young player to deliver at that level showed not just technical skill but remarkable composure. His celebration, sprinting toward the bench with tears in his eyes, was replayed endlessly. The win would eventually propel Inter into the knockout stages, and Carboni’s name was suddenly among the most searched in world football. That stoppage-time strike could very well be the launchpad of a superstar career.

2. Kylian Mbappé – Real Madrid vs Borussia Dortmund (Club World Cup Quarterfinal)

In arguably the most chaotic end to a football match in 2025, Kylian Mbappé turned the Club World Cup quarterfinal on its head with two goals in stoppage time, including a stunning bicycle kick and a penalty. Real Madrid were trailing 2–1 against Borussia Dortmund in the 90th minute. Then came the storm. In the 91st, Mbappé launched himself into the air to execute a perfect bicycle kick—2–2. The crowd was still catching its breath when, just moments later, Madrid earned a penalty in the 94th. Mbappé stepped up and buried it. From defeat to victory in less than four minutes.

The double act from Mbappé showed why he’s widely considered the best player in the world. His ability to deliver under crushing pressure, with flair and confidence, left fans in awe. The match became an instant classic and sparked debates comparing it to other all-time Club World Cup performances. For Madrid, it was survival by genius. For Mbappé, it was a performance that added another layer to his already glittering legacy. The two stoppage-time goals were not just a rescue mission—they were a dramatic masterpiece.

1. Vinícius Júnior – Brazil vs Colombia (World Cup Qualifier)

On March 21, 2025, Brazil traveled to Barranquilla to face Colombia in a crucial World Cup qualifying clash. With the game locked at 1–1 into the final minute of added time, Brazil’s unbeaten record looked in danger. But then came magic. In the 99th minute—yes, the 99th—Vinícius Júnior collected a deflected pass, cut inside, and curled a right-footed shot into the far corner. It was a sensational goal that silenced the crowd and gave Brazil a dramatic 2–1 victory.

The goal had massive implications. It kept Brazil top of the South American table and reminded everyone why Vinícius is among the game’s elite. The late strike became an instant global talking point, covered by every major outlet and shared millions of times across social platforms. The composure, skill, and timing made it one of the most important international goals of the year. In terms of drama, quality, and context, Vinícius Júnior’s 99th-minute winner stood alone—the most unforgettable stoppage-time moment of the 2025 football season.

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