The 25 Best Cup Final Performances of the 2010s - Ranked
By Charlie Stewart
Football rarely gets more emotional than in a cup final.
The pressure of a final can be too much for some, but others relish the occasion, and the previous decade has seen some exhilarating performances from some of the world's best players on the biggest stage.
Here are 25 brilliant cup final performances from the 2010s.
25. Lorenzo Insigne (Coppa Italia, 2014)
The 2014 Coppa Italia final was Lorenzo Insigne's first chance at winning a major trophy, and a chance he was not going to let pass by.
The little Italian came flying out of the traps, curling in a beauty after 11 minutes, and then doubling his tally with a deflected effort six minutes later.
Napoli would go on to win the match 3-1 against Fiorentina, with Belgian forward Dries Mertens also getting on the scoresheet.
24. Medhi Benatia (Coppa Italia, 2018)
Not many people would've been shocked to see Juventus defeat AC Milan in the 2018 Coppa Italia final. What would have come as a surprise, however, was the man who came away with a brace.
Moroccan defender Medhi Benatia bagged himself two goals in the 4-0 win. The centre-back put the Bianconeri 1-0 up with a brilliant header from Miralem Pjanic's corner, before capitalising on a Gianluigi Donnarumma error for his second and Juventus' third.
23. Cheick Diabate (Coupe de France, 2013)
The 2013 Coupe de France final was a brilliant spectacle for the watching fans, and Bordeaux forward Cheick Diabate was the hero.
The Malian showed brilliant composure to open the scoring in the first half, and later bagged an 89th-minute winner as Bordeaux defeated Evian 3-2 to lift the cup.
22. Carlos Bacca (Europa League, 2015)
Sevilla went into their Europa League final with Dnipro as strong favourites, so it came as a shock when Nikola Kalinic gave the Ukrainian side an early lead.
However, after Polish midfielder Grzegorz Krychowiak equalised for the Andalusians, Carlos Bacca began to turn on the style.
The Colombian expertly dispatched a through ball from Jose Antonio Reyes to put Unai Emery's side 2-1 up, and then made it 3-2 with a brilliant left-footed finish in the 73rd minute.
21. Ricky van Wolfswinkel (KNVB Cup, 2017)
Vitesse Arnhem won their first major trophy in 2017 after beating AZ Alkmaar in the KNVB Cup final. And, believe it or not, it was not thanks to a Chelsea loanee.
Instead, it was Norwich City 'legend' Ricky van Wolfswinkel who was the hero. With less than ten minutes remaining, the Dutchman put his side ahead with a brave header, and later sealed the trophy with a fantastic left-footed strike.
20. Robert Lewandowski (DFB Pokal, 2019)
The 2019 DFB Pokal final provided RB Leipzig with a chance to win the first major trophy in their history. However, to do so, they would have to overcome Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich - a task which proved to be too difficult for Die Roten Bullen.
Robert Lewandowski instinctively headed home a David Alaba cross to give the Bavarians a first-half lead. Kingsley Coman made it 2-0 with 12 minutes remaining, before the Polish forward netted his second of the game with a delicate left-footed chip over Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi.
19. Coke (Europa League, 2016)
Unai Emery's Sevilla were a force to be reckoned with in the Europa League, and they won their third European trophy in a row when they beat Liverpool in 2016.
Spanish winger Coke netted twice past Simon Mignolet, as Los Nervionenses saw off Jurgen Klopp's side with a 3-1 victory.
18. Kevin de Bruyne (FA Cup Final, 2019)
There were a fair few players who could've made it in for this match, but Kevin de Bruyne's performance simply cannot be overlooked.
Manchester City demolished Watford 6-0 at Wembley, and de Bruyne was crucial, scoring a fantastic goal and registering a further two assists, earning himself the Man of the Match award
17. Diego Forlan (Europa League, 2010)
Fulham's run to the Europa League final in 2010 was inspiring, but they didn't have enough to stop Atletico Madrid's Diego Forlan.
Playing alongside a young Sergio Aguero, the Uruguayan produced two instinctive finishes to seal the first of three Europa League titles for Los Rojiblancos in the 2010s.
16. Antoine Griezmann (Europa League, 2018)
Another Europa League final for Atletico Madrid, and another standout performance from their star striker.
Two years after missing a penalty in the Champions League final, Antoine Griezmann redeemed himself in fine fashion, producing two composed finishes to defeat Marseille 3-0.
15. Xavi (Euro 2012)
Xavi's notorious midfield partner Andres Iniesta could've also been chosen for this game, but he'll get his own spot on this list...
Vicente del Bosque's Spain side was absolutely incredible, and the Xavi-Iniesta partnership was the heart of it.
In the Euro 2012 final, Xavi recorded assists for Jordi Alba and Fernando Torres as La Furia Roja demolished Italy 4-0.
14. Andres Iniesta (Copa del Rey, 2018)
Andres Iniesta's 22-year spell at the Camp Nou ended in 2018, and he was given a fitting farewell in the Copa del Rey final.
In his last ever cup final for the Blaugrana, Iniesta put in a Man of the Match performance, scoring a brilliant goal, and participating heavily in another as Barcelona defeated Sevilla 5-0.
13. Samuel Eto'o (Coppa Italia, 2011)
After the departure of Jose Mourinho to Real Madrid, Inter saw their treble cut down to just one trophy.
And they owe a lot of thanks to Samuel Eto'o for this trophy. The Cameroonian produced two lethal strikes as Antonio Conte's side claimed the Coppa Italia title with a 3-1 win over Palermo.
12. Zlatan Ibrahimovic (EFL Cup, 2017)
At 35 years of age, Zlatan Ibrahimovic had an excellent debut season at Manchester United - scoring 28 goals in 46 appearances.
The highlight of his time at Old Trafford would have been the 2017 EFL Cup final against Southampton. The big Swede opened the scoring with a brilliant free-kick, and then headed home in the 87th minute as Jose Mourinho's side won 3-2.
11. Petr Cech (Champions League, 2012)
While Didier Drogba may have been the hero, it would be unfair to forget Petr Cech's contribution in the 2012 Champions League final.
The Czech Republic international made a string of saves to keep Bayern Munich out, including an extra-time penalty from former teammate Arjen Robben.
Cech took this fine form into the penalty shootout, saving efforts from Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger as the Blues lifted their first Champions League trophy.
10. Ante Rebic (DFB Pokal, 2018)
A year after losing in the DFB Pokal final, Eintracht Frankfurt's Ante Rebic put in a superb performance as they toppled Bavarian giants Bayern Munich.
The Croatian showed excellent speed and sharp finishing on two occasions as Frankfurt pulled off a shock 3-1 victory, with Rebic picking up the Man of the Match award.
9. Radamel Falcao (Europa League, 2012)
Given his underwhelming loan spells at Man Utd and Chelsea, you'd be forgiven for forgetting how good Radamel Falcao used to be. Well, if you need reminding, check out the highlights of the 2012 Europa League final.
The Colombian scored a magnificent first-half brace; the first a brilliant left-footed curler into the top corner, and the second coming after some fantastic footwork.
Brazilian midfielder Diego Ribas made it 3-0 to Diego Simeone's side, as Atletico Madrid saw off Athletic Bilbao to lift the trophy.
8. Gareth Bale (Champions League, 2018)
Gareth Bale's time at the Bernabeu has been turbulent to say the very least, but his 2018 Champions League final performance against Liverpool will not be forgotten.
Coming on in the 61st-minute with the scores level, the Welshman produced possibly the best goal in Champions League history; a stunning bicycle kick from Marcelo's cross.
Bale would later score a second to make it 3-1 after a howler from Liverpool goalkeeper Loris Karius.
7. Lionel Messi (Copa del Rey, 2015)
La Pulga makes his first appearance on this list for his performance against Athletic Bilbao in the 2015 Copa del Rey final.
In the 20th minute, Lionel Messi scored one of the best goals of his career - dancing past four Bilbao defenders before smacking it in at the near post.
The six-time Ballon d'Or winner would later score a second and Barcelona's third as the Catalan giants won 3-1.
6. Eden Hazard (Europa League, 2019)
Eden Hazard said goodbye to Chelsea in the summer of 2019, and he couldn't have given them a better parting gift.
The Belgian put on a mesmerising second half display, scoring twice and assisting once in Chelsea's 4-1 Europa League final victory over Arsenal in Baku.
5. James Rodriguez (Taca de Portugal, 2011)
Just 19 years old at the time, Colombian starlet James Rodriguez showcased his immense talent in his debut season at Porto.
The Taca de Portugal final against Vitoria de Guimaraes is one of many career highlights for the former Monaco man, as he netted a hat-trick and provided an assist in a hectic 6-2 win for the Portuguese side.
4. Diego Milito (Champions League, 2010)
Argentinian forward Diego Milito would probably describe May 2010 as the best month of his footballing career: he had scored the winner in the Coppa Italia final against Roma, and the only goal on the final day of the season against Siena to wrap up the Serie A title.
However, the highlight of the month - and probably his entire career - came at the Bernabeu against Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.
Milito opened the scoring after a one-two with Wesley Sneijder, then slotted in a second after beating Belgian defender Daniel van Buyten. The brace sealed a historic treble, and his place in Nerazzuri history.
3. Lionel Messi (Champions League, 2011)
After scoring a rare header against them in a Champions League final two years earlier, Lionel Messi returned to haunt Manchester United once again in 2011.
The Red Devils couldn't get close to Messi all night, as he dictated and dominated the game. The Argentine's low 20-yard strike put Barcelona 2-1 up in the 54th minute, before David Villa's curler put the Blaugrana out of sight.
For some, this was the game that convinced them that Messi was truly among the greatest of all time.
2. Robert Lewandowski (DFB Pokal, 2012)
After a devastating performance like this one, it's no wonder that Bayern Munich went on to sign the Poland international.
Robert Lewandowski demolished his future employers in the 2012 DFB Pokal final, scoring a hat-trick as Jurgen Klopp's Borussia Dortmund side ran out 5-2 winners.
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Champions League, 2017)
The 2017 Champions League knockouts showed Cristiano Ronaldo at his very best. The Portuguese legend scored five against Bayern Munich in the quarter-finals, and a hat-trick against Atletico Madrid in the semi-finals. So it was no surprise when he put in a stellar performance in the final against Juventus.
Ronaldo opened the scoring after sweeping home Dani Carvajal's cutback, and netted his second from Luka Modric's cross, taking his knockout tally to ten for the season.
Real Madrid won the game 4-1, sealing the trophy to go alongside their La Liga title.