Ten finishes, one rule – it had to be settled right at the end! Starting with football, naturally, and then a few from other sports.
1. Manchester City v QPR, 13 May 2012
City needed a win on the last day to win their first league title in 44 years. They were 2-1 down going into stoppage time, scored twice, and Sergio Aguero’s goal made it 3-2 and took the title off Manchester United on goal difference. Martin Tyler’s “Agueroooo!” is still the best commentary line of the Premier League era.
2. Rugby World Cup final, England v Australia, 2003
17-17 after 80 minutes, and still 17-17 in extra time, until Jonny Wilkinson dropped a goal with 26 seconds left to make it 20-17. England’s first World Cup, and it came off his weaker foot – his right.
3. NBA Finals Game 6, Bulls v Jazz, 1998
5.2 seconds left and the Bulls one point behind. Michael Jordan stole the ball from Karl Malone, ran up the court and hit the shot over Bryon Russell. It was his last shot for the Bulls and his sixth title.
4. World Series Game 6, Blue Jays v Phillies, 1993
Toronto were 6-5 down in the ninth with two on, and Joe Carter hit a three-run homer off Mitch Williams to win it. Commentator Tom Cheek’s line was “Touch ’em all, Joe, you’ll never hit a bigger home run in your life!”
5. Super Bowl XLII, Giants v Patriots, 2008
The Patriots were 18-0 and heading for a perfect season. Eli Manning escaped a sack, David Tyree caught the pass against his helmet (the “Helmet Catch”), and Plaxico Burress scored the winner. Final score 17-14.
6. US Open, Payne Stewart, 1999
He held his nerve to sink a long par putt on the last hole at Pinehurst to beat Phil Mickelson by a shot, then punched the air. It was his last major – he died in a plane crash a few months later.
7. Carl Froch v Jermain Taylor, 2009
Froch was behind on the scorecards going into the 12th round, and with 14 seconds left the referee stopped the fight. Froch kept his WBC title. Good job he was a patient man!
8. Japanese Grand Prix, Hunt v Lauda, 1976
Niki Lauda pulled out in torrential rain at Fuji, only weeks after his crash. James Hunt needed third place to win the title, and after a chaotic race he got it – by a single point.
9. NHL Winter Classic, Penguins v Sabres, 2008
An outdoor game in the snow at Orchard Park, New York, that finished 1-1 after normal time. Sidney Crosby scored in the shootout to win it 2-1 for Pittsburgh.
10. Tour de France, LeMond v Fignon, 1989
Greg LeMond started the final time trial into Paris 50 seconds behind Laurent Fignon. He won the stage by 58 seconds, using aerodynamic handlebars, and took the Tour by 8 seconds – still the smallest margin ever.