From Palmer to Mbappé: The Best Cup Final Performances Ever
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From Palmer to Mbappé: The Best Cup Final Performances Ever

From Palmer to Mbappé: The Best Cup Final Performances Ever

Cole Palmer absolutely smashed it for Chelsea in last night’s FIFA Club World Cup final against the European Champions Paris Saint-Germain. Three goal contributions, player of the match and a trophy lift stood next to the President of the United States, Donald Trump. The Englishman just took control of the final and made things happen on the biggest stage with millions watching.

It's not the first time Palmer has stepped up in a final either, with many remembering his equaliser against Spain in the 2024 UEFA Euro final, although I'm sure many Britons would be happy in forgetting the result of that one. Many are already comparing performance to some of the greatest in finals - Kylian Mbappé who lit up the 2022 FIFA World Cup final springs to mind, although again was also on the losing side in the end.

There have been many over the years, but where does Palmer really fit among the all-time great cup final displays? Here’s our shortlist of ten of the best performances ever (in no particular order), including Palmer and Mbappé, ranked by exactly what they did to perform on the biggest stages in world football.

Ten of the BestPlayerFinal & YearClub / Country
1Steven Gerrard2005 UEFA Champions League FinalLiverpool
2Cole Palmer2025 FIFA Club World Cup FinalChelsea
3Jerzy Dudek2005 UEFA Champions League FinalLiverpool
4Gareth Bale2018 UEFA Champions League FinalReal Madrid
5Kylian Mbappé2022 FIFA World Cup FinalFrance
6Thibaut Courtois2022 UEFA Champions League FinalReal Madrid
7Lionel Messi2011 UEFA Champions League FinalBarcelona
8N’Golo Kanté2021 UEFA Champions League FinalChelsea
9Andrés Iniesta2010 FIFA World Cup FinalSpain
10Ronaldo Nazário2002 FIFA World Cup FinalBrazil

1. Steven Gerrard – 2005 UEFA Champions League Final (Liverpool vs AC Milan)

Liverpool looked dead and buried. Trailing 3–0 at half-time to a AC Milan team that completely dominated them.

Like the old saying, it was men against boys. Many of that winning Liverpool squad revealed that they could even hear the Milan squad celebrating at halftime, but that didn't dampen the spirts of that Liverpool team, who in the end produced one of the greatest comebacks in Champions League history.

Just after the interval, Gerrard's header shifted momentum. Beyond that goal, Gerrard set the tone. His mentality was infectious. Liverpool pulled it back to 3–3, and it was Gerrard’s mentality that sparked belief. The definition of embodying leadership from start to finish.

2. Cole Palmer – 2025 FIFA Club World Cup Final (Chelsea vs PSG)

Michael Buffer kicked off the 2025 Club World Cup Final with his iconic 'Lets get ready to rumble' line, however Cole Palmer went straight for the knockout.

From the first whistle, Palmer choose to step up and show the quality that many felt wasn't on display towards the backend of the Premier League season. It was very reminiscent of his performance against Brighton from earlier on in the season, where Palmer netted 4 times in the first half, but of course that was not in a final.

Against PSG, he found space between the lines, repeatedly breaking PSG's strong press, with his first goal a clinical finish into the bottom corner, which is a testament to his composure under pressure. Moments later, he added a second with a similar finish to his first before assisting João Pedro for Chelsea's third. A generational performance on the global stage.

3. Jerzy Dudek – 2005 UEFA Champions League Final (Liverpool vs AC Milan)

Jerzy Dudek’s double save against Andriy Shevchenko in extra time of the 2005 UEFA Champions League Final remains one of the most iconic goalkeeping moments in European football history. Reacting first to a close-range header and then immediately smothering the rebound from just yards out, Dudek preserved Liverpool’s comeback in dramatic fashion.

It was a moment that embodied the Liverpool mentality under the highest possible pressure. In the penalty shootout, Dudek elevated his performance even further. Employing unorthodox movements, later referred to as the “Dudek Dance”, he disrupted Milan’s rhythm, saving two penalties and playing a decisive role in Liverpool securing their fifth European Cup.

While his animated approach drew attention, it was his composure that ultimately defined one of the most memorable performances ever seen in a Champions League final.

4. Gareth Bale – 2018 UEFA Champions League Final (Real Madrid vs Liverpool)

As much as it may pain a Liverpool fan to admit, Gareth Bale’s performance in the 2018 Champions League final is one of the most impactful substitute appearances in the competition’s history.

Introduced in the 61st minute with the score 1–1, Bale made an immediate and unforgettable impact. Just moments after entering the pitch, he executed a stunning overhead kick that left both his teammates and Liverpool in disbelief. The technique, timing and athleticism required to pull that off, when the lights are shining brightest in a European final, were nothing short of extraordinary - a moment instantly etched into Champions League folklore.

Later in the match, Bale struck again, this time with a long-range effort that swerved unexpectedly and slipped through the hands of Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius. While the goal owed something to the goalkeeper’s error, the power and audacity of the strike underlined Bale’s confidence and ability to change a game single-handedly, which he did without a shadow of a doubt.

In less than half an hour of football, he had turned the final decisively in Real Madrid’s favour, securing their 13th European title and sealing his legacy as one of the most explosive big-game players of his generation.

5. Kylian Mbappé – 2022 FIFA World Cup Final (France vs Argentina)

Kylian Mbappé produced one of the most remarkable individual performances the world has ever seen in a World Cup final.

Facing a relentless Argentina side led by Lionel Messi, Mbappé was largely quiet in the first hour, until he decided to turn the match on its head. In the 80th minute, he calmly converted a penalty to make it 2–1, and just 97 seconds later, he levelled the match with a spectacular first-time volley, following a swift one-two with Inter's Marcus Thuram.

His quickfire double stunned the Lusail Stadium and forced the game into extra time. Even after Argentina regained the lead, Mbappé refused to be subdued. In the 118th minute, he once again stepped up and coolly dispatched a second penalty to complete a hat-trick, only the second ever scored in a men's World Cup final, after Geoff Hurst in 1966.

Despite ultimately losing in a penalty shootout, Mbappé’s performance was nothing short of phenomenal. A superstar capable of dominating the world.

6. Thibaut Courtois – 2022 UEFA Champions League Final (Real Madrid vs Liverpool)

In a final dominated by Liverpool, Thibaut Courtois proved to be the hero for Los Blancos. Real Madrid owed everything to the Belgian goalkeeper after their 1–0 win over Liverpool in the 2022 UEFA Champions League Final.

Courtois delivered a masterclass and, even three years later, it's hard to believe how good he was. He made a remarkable nine saves on the night, the most ever recorded in a Champions League final. He consistently denied Liverpool’s Sadio Mane in one-on-one situations. His most critical intervention came in the second half, when he reacted sharply to deflect a goal-bound effort from Mohamed Salah wide of the post.

Courtois’ performance was technically flawless as he handled the pressure with remarkable calmness. His display was a textbook example of elite-level goalkeeping at the highest level of club football.

7. Andrés Iniesta – 2010 FIFA World Cup Final (Spain vs Netherlands)

Andrés Iniesta provided the moment of quality that delivered Spain their first ever World Cup.

As the final went into extra time with the score deadlocked at 0–0, it was always going to take a moment of magic to win the final. In the 116th minute, he received a pass from Cesc Fàbregas, took a touch to steady himself and finished low past the Dutch goalkeeper Maarten Stekelenburg.

It is easy to pick out a player for a winning goal, or amazing saves as a keeper, but Iniesta’s contribution extended well beyond the goal. Throughout the final, he was a calming influence in midfield, keeping Spain's intricate passing game alive despite constant Dutch pressure.

His performance encapsulated the Spanish "tiki-taka" era and provided the crowning moment of a golden generation. That goal and the shirt he revealed in tribute to the late Dani Jarque during the celebration, became a defining image of the 2010 World Cup.

8. N’Golo Kanté – 2021 UEFA Champions League Final (Chelsea vs Manchester City)

In an all-English final, N’Golo Kanté produced a performance of extraordinary discipline and intelligence. The Frenchmen truly lived up to the reputation of being an 'engine' midfielder. Even Manchester City couldn't avoid talking about him:

Kanté covered every blade of grass, intercepting passes, recovering possession and launching counter-attacks with over 85% passing accuracy. He was instrumental in limiting the influence of City’s key playmakers Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva. What set Kanté’s display apart was its completeness. His performance was just symbolic to the omen that you don't always need to be the hero providing the winning goal to be the best player on the pitch.

9. Ronaldo Nazário – 2002 FIFA World Cup Final (Brazil vs Germany)

Many probably expected a Ronaldo to end up in this list, but this isn't about Cristiano. After several years battling serious knee injuries, Ronaldo, known as 'R9', arrived at the 2002 World Cup with plenty of questions surrounding his form and fitness.

By the time the final against Germany came around, he had already silenced many doubters, but his performance in Yokohama confirmed his status as one of football’s greats and one of the best individual performances in a final. He scored both goals in Brazil’s 2–0 win.

The first came after he reacted quickest to a rebound following a parried shot, while the second was the result of a sharp interception and composed finish from the edge of the box. Throughout the match, Ronaldo’s movement caused constant problems for the German back line, and his ability to take chances with minimal effort stood out on the biggest stage.

The brace not only secured Brazil’s fifth World Cup title, but also earned Ronaldo the tournament’s Golden Boot with eight goals. A fitting reward for a player who had worked relentlessly to return to the top.

10. Lionel Messi – 2011 UEFA Champions League Final (Barcelona vs Manchester United)

Lionel Messi’s display in the 2011 Champions League final at Wembley is, in our opinion, one of the most complete individual performances in a major European final.

Facing a disciplined Manchester United side, Messi was the key to unlocking United's defence, ultimately leading Barcelona to a 3-1 win. A performance that underlined the Argentine's status as the world’s best at the time.

He scored the game’s crucial second goal with a strike from outside the box. Operating between the lines, Messi consistently found space and dictated the rhythm of play with his close control and quick combinations. His ability to draw in defenders and release teammates with one-touch passing repeatedly disrupted United’s structure.

While Barcelona’s collective performance was outstanding, it was Messi who elevated it, making this final a defining moment in his club career.

The Greatest Final Performances of All Time?

All ten of these players could easily stake a claim to having the best individual performance in a major footballing final. When you look at this list, the debate over the greatest final performance naturally follows. Many will argue for Messi’s genius at Wembley, Mbappé’s extraordinary hat-trick in a World Cup final, Bale’s jaw-dropping overhead kick or Ronaldo’s redemption arc in 2002. Surprisingly, I'd pick either Gerrard or Dudek's heroics from the Champions League, as they were clearly the best... (Editor's note: Is it obvious at all who Louis supports?)

Joking aside, any of these could be chosen, or even some that didn't even make the list. That ultimately is what football will always be about. Our opinions.

Benji Kosartiyer
Journalist
Louis Bond

Writer

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