AFCON 2025
Football fans were treated to more than a truck load of interesting football games across clubs and national teams competitions in 2024.
There were tears, laughter and goosebooms as teams and fans basked in the euphoria of victories while others gnash their teeths in the agony of defeats.
As we wrap up the year 2024, we take a look at some of the top football matches that caught our attention and gave us memories.
1. AFCON 2024 Final
Cote D’Ivoire were on their way out of the tournament after a disappointing display in the first round of matches. How embarrassing being the host nation!
However, the Elephants witnessed what can be described as a dramatic or miraculous twist of fortune.
Emerse Faé took over from Jean-Louis Gasset and the host qualified as one of the best losers of the competitions.
The Elephants, brick by brick got to the final and squared up against one of the favorites of the competition – the Super Eagles of Nigeria.
Despite conceding first in the final, Franck Kessie and Sebastian Haller – who just survived cancer en route to the final scored to give Cote D’Ivoire their third Africa Cup of Nations title.
2. Euro 2024 Final
Two European football heavyweights: Spain and England clashed in the final in the historic city of Berlin.
One was termed favorite to win while the other rode on the “It’s coming home” mantra all through the tournament.
The three Lions found their way into the yet another final in a bid to finally bring Albion its first trophy since 1966.
Gareth Southgate’s men were far from convincing but effective as they qualified to play tournament’s overwhelming favorite, Spain in the final.
Cole Palmer, a second half substitute cancelled out Nico Williams’ opener two minutes into the second half on the 73rd minute.
A sense of belief and hope showered down the spines of the fans in the Olimpiastadion and across the streets of London, the Midlands and up North.
However, La Furia Roja filled with the fury of conceding a goal for the first time in a major final since 1964 dashed the hopes of the Three Lions with four minutes to the end of regular time.
Real Sociedad’s forward Mikel Oyarzabal came off the bench to score the winner as Spain lifted their fourth UEFA Euro trophy.
3. FA Cup final
A few days after Manchester City won their record fourth consecutive Premier League title, they travelled to Wembley to face their city rivals in the FA Cup final.
No one, including the average Manchester United fan gave the Red Devils a chance given the kind of season they witnessed under former manager Erik Ten Hag.
However, like a Tsunami, Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo hit Manchester City early in the match and they never recovered.
The FA Cup final victory was one of the upsets of the 2024 and it helped saved the job of the Dutch manager heading into the new season.
Rumours had it that Manchester City lost because the players had a hung over from their Premier League title win days before the final.
Jack Grealish and a number of Manchester City players were seen leaving a Manchester night club the on a Monday morning after lifting the title on Sunday evening.
However, Pep Guardiola has repeatedly refuted the claim.
4. Champions League final
Borussia Dortmund got another chance to win their third European title as they squared up against familiar for, Real Madrid at Wembley.
Thibault Courtois and the crossbar were the only reasons why Borussia Dortmund didn’t go 3-nil up in the opening 45 minutes of the football match.
Imagine how soldier ants encamp a cube of sugar, that describes how the Yellow Blacks were all over Real Madrid in the first half.
Unfortunately for Borussia Dortmund, experience made the difference on the night.
Dani Carvajal and Vinicius Jr scored within 10 minutes to deny Borussia Dortmund the chance of winning another European trophy.
Real Madrid’s dominance in the UEFA Champions League continued as they lifted their 15th title at Wembley.
5. Europa League final
Bayer Leverkusen would have wrapped up a record breaking season if they had won. After lifting their first Bundesliga title unbeaten, Xabi Alonso’s men matched to Dublin to continue their onslaught.
Unfortunately, they got humbled by the reigning African Footballer of the Year Ademola Lookman.
The 27-year-old British-Nigerian took apart the German champions in the final as he led Atalanta to their first European trophy.
Ademola Lookman bagged a hat trick in the final – the first player to do so as Atalanta buried Bayer Leverkusen 3-0.
