Champions League football to many is the pinnacle of the sport. Particularly in the latter stages the best players in the world are on display on the biggest stage. The tournament was back this week and matchday one was full of goals; the first Tuesday had the highest number since the inception of the current group stage format.
With brilliant goals from the likes of Vladimir Weiss, David Alaba and Cristiano Ronaldo this week, Sports Mole considers five of the best from Europe's elite tournament.
1. Philippe Mexes - Anderlecht 1-3 AC Milan, 2012
A lot of people say that the group stage is an unneeded addition to the Champions League, but it often throws up interesting results and surprises. Trips to places such as Belgium for some of Europe's top teams can often be tricky, but Milan last November managed to see off the threat of Anderlecht by beating them 3-1.
The goal of the game was without doubt Philippe Mexes's effort. A free kick was aimed towards him and, with not much on heading away from goal, the centre-back chested it up before looping a bicycle kick into the top corner.
2. Hernan Crespo - Liverpool 3-3 Milan, 2005
The stage doesn't get much bigger than a Champions League final, but Argentinian Hernan Crespo was a big-time player. With Milan already 2-0 to the good, this goal for the third still lives long in the memory. Kaka dropped off Steven Gerrard superbly, and weighted the perfect through-ball for Crespo who dinked it beyond Jerzy Dudek.
The game was surely wrapped up with Milan at 3-0 but an astonishing comeback to 3-3 meant that Liverpool actually won on penalties. Aside from the comeback, this goal is one of the moments of a thrilling final.
3. Lars Ricken - Borussia Dortmund 3-1 Juventus, 1997
Another final and another big moment. Dortmund were 2-0 up and cruising before Alessandro Del Piero scored to reduce the deficit. The German side were suddenly full of nerves in their first Champions League final and they needed a way to calm down and see out the game. Enter Lars Ricken.
He came onto the field in place of Stephane Chapuisat and within 20 seconds of his arrival had his big chance. Andreas Moller played the perfect ball into him and, with Angelo Peruzzi caught off his line, the German chipped him delightfully to wrap up the win for his side. What an impact.
4. Cristiano Ronaldo - Porto 0-1 Manchester United, 2009
Champions League quarter-finals are often decided by moments of brilliance. On April 15, 2009, Porto and Manchester United were locked at 2-2 on aggregate. As it stood, the hosts would be going through on away goals, but Cristiano Ronaldo had a different idea.
Picking the ball up from Patrice Evra, Ronaldo drove forward and shot from fully 40 yards. Even he might not have expected to score, but the ball continued to accelerate until it hit the back of the Porto net. United were through and Ronaldo had scored one of the greatest Champions League goals in doing it.
5. Zinedine Zidane - Bayer Leverkusen 1-2 Real Madrid, 2002
Zinedine Zidane in his prime was a footballing treat. He seemed to slow down time with the space he could find to work his magic. Not only could he pull off any pass in the game, but he could also score any goal. This is an example of him at his very best.
It takes a great player to be able to brush off the pressure of huge cup finals, but Zidane did just that to become the difference-maker in the 2012 final. His volleyed effort as the ball came down with snow on it - on his weaker foot - could well be the best of all time in the Champions League.
Matt Domm
