Desire Doue delivered a performance to remember in the 2025 UEFA Champions League final, as PSG put five past Inter Milan, becoming the first team to score as many goals in a final since Real Madrid 63 years ago in 1962.

At just 19, Doue was involved in three goals (scoring twice and assisting once), a level of impact rarely seen in a Champions League final in the 21st century. His brilliance rekindles memories of some of the greatest final performances in recent years.

In this light, here’s a look at 10 Champions League final game-changers from the last 15 years, from the PSG young prodigy to some of the biggest names in the game.

1. Desire Doue: PSG 5-0 Inter in 2025

A sensational performance from the 19-year-old inspired PSG to the largest margin win in a Champions League final match, where he became not only the youngest player to score and assist in the final but also the first to have a hand in three goals in the 21st century.

Doue set up Achraf Hakimi for the opener just 12 minutes in and then got himself on the scoresheet eight minutes later, firing home via a deflection following a pass from Ousmane Dembele.

Doue scored again three minutes after the hour mark to give the French club a 3-0 lead in a match that eventually finished 5-0, as PSG were crowned champions of Europe for the first time.

2. Dani Carvajal: Real Madrid 2-0 Borussia Dortmund in 2024

The German side surprisingly dominated Real Madrid for almost the entirety of the first half, creating danger with every attack. On one occasion, Karim Adeyemi got behind Courtois, but fortunately for Los Blancos, Dani Carvajal recovered just in time to divert the ball out for a corner.

In the 74th minute, Carvajal scored his second goal ever in the Champions League, heading Madrid in front from a corner taken by Toni Kroos. He continued to put in a solid defensive performance before finally getting a breather after the lead was doubled seven minutes from time.

It was an eventful night for the Spanish right-back, who became one of five players to win five Champions League titles, joining the ranks of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos, Nacho Fernandez, and Paco Gento.

3. Rodri: Manchester City 1-0 Inter in 2023

Rodri was instrumental for Manchester City in the 2023 Champions League final, where he scored the only goal, securing the club's first-ever trophy in the competition and helping the Citizens win the historic treble.

The Spaniard made crucial contributions on both ends of the pitch while providing stability in the midfield. He made decisive interceptions and recovered possession to ensure Inter Milan were limited to half-chances.

Rodri’s spectacular strike from the edge of the penalty area in the 68th minute was the only goal of the final, sealing the victory and making Pep Guardiola the first coach to win the treble with two different clubs.

4. Thibaut Courtois: Real Madrid 1-0 Liverpool in 2022

In the 2022 Champions League final, Thibaut Courtois was nothing short of heroic as he propelled Real Madrid to their 14th title, denying Liverpool any chance to beat him in goal.

The Belgian shot-stopper made an astonishing nine saves, the most ever recorded in a Champions League final. His agility, calm command of the area, and sheer presence stood as a formidable barrier to Liverpool’s relentless attack.

It was a night where the goalkeeper’s gloves became the source of dismay for Jurgen Klopp's charge, with Courtois himself writing his name into the annals of Champions League folklore.

Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mané, Roberto Firmino, and everyone else tried, but to no avail. Based on recent evidence, Jurgen Klopp still has not forgiven him.

5. N'Golo Kanté: Manchester City 0-1 Chelsea in 2021

N'Golo Kanté’s performance in the 2021 Champions League final was a masterclass in controlled aggression and tireless industry, the bedrock upon which Chelsea's 1-0 triumph was built. He covered every blade of grass.

From the opening whistle, Kanté was a one-man barricade, disrupting Manchester City's rhythm with his pinpoint anticipation and relentless tackling. It was a night when the quiet midfield general became the decisive figure on the grandest stage.

His influence was felt in every duel, match highest of eleven which he won, and every interception, often arriving in spaces that seemed beyond reach. He was both destroyer and creator, winning the ball and immediately springing Chelsea’s transitions.

Kanté’s man-of-the-match display was emblematic of his rare ability to cover ground effortlessly and do the work of two men, allowing his teammates to shine.

6. Gareth Bale: Real Madrid 3-1 Liverpool in 2018

Gareth Bale played no genuine part in Real Madrid's road to the final of the 2018 edition. The Welshman scored once and set up two in six appearances heading into the meeting with Liverpool, but turned out as the UEFA Champions League final game changer with two goals off the bench to win it.

With the score tied at 1-1 at the hour mark after Sadio Mané canceled out Karim Benzema's second-half opener four minutes apart, Zinedine Zidane brought on Bale for the final 30 minutes, and he made an instant impact.

Three minutes after coming on, Gareth Bale scored a spectacular overhead kick from a Marcelo cross to reestablish Real Madrid's lead, then scored from way out seven minutes from normal time to put the game beyond Liverpool.

7. Cristiano Ronaldo: Juventus 1-4 Real Madrid in 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo, not for the first time, was the star of the show in the 2017 final, scoring a brace to help Real Madrid beat Juventus and win their 13th Champions League title.

The Portuguese was on a quest for practically the greatest comeback ever in a Golden Boot race, having scored just two goals after the round of 16. Ronaldo added eight across the quarters and the semi-finals against Bayern Munich and Atlético Madrid, respectively.

At ten goals, Ronaldo was one behind Lionel Messi and equaled the tally by opening the scoring 20 minutes into the final, firing a low shot past Gianluigi Buffon following a cutback from Dani Carvajal.

Juventus hit back moments later through Mario Mandzukic, while Casemiro restored Madrid's lead a minute after the hour mark. Before the Italians could get themselves back into the game, Ronaldo scored again three minutes after Casemiro's strike, to give Los Blancos a cushion.

Substitute, Marco Asensio scored in added time to put the game to bed and seal a 4-1 win. Game changer Cristiano Ronaldo finished the tournament with 12 goals and won the top scorer award ahead of Lionel Messi, while Real Madrid sealed their 13th Champions League title.

8. Sergio Ramos: Atlético Madrid 1-4 Real Madrid in 2014

Atlético Madrid are seconds away from winning their first UEFA Champions League title, having taken a first-half lead against Real Madrid in the 2014 final played in Lisbon.

Uruguayan defender Diego Godin headed them in front six minutes before the interval, capitalizing on Iker Casillas's hesitation to head home, handing Diego Simeone's charge the advantage in the first-ever Madrid derby final.

Sergio Ramos was having an impressive game for Carlo Ancelotti's charge, reaching double figures for possession recoveries, clearances, and headed clearances. He also made six vital interceptions to keep Atléti from establishing a cushion.

With the game heading to bed, Los Blancos Ramos' movement forced Toby Alderweireld into conceding a corner, which was taken by Luka Modric and headed home by Ramos, a goal that became iconic in Champions League history.

Real Madrid went on to win the title after scoring three times in extra time through Gareth Bale, Marcelo, and Cristiano Ronaldo, to seal a 4-1 win, the biggest winning margin in a final to date.

9. Arjen Robben: Dortmund 1-2 Bayern Munich in 2013

The Dutchman had suffered heartbreak in finals before, including a year prior in the same competition, where his Bayern side were beaten by Chelsea in their stadium at the Allianz Arena in Munich.

However, on that night at Wembley, he refused to be denied, and he had to play a pivotal part in the win by setting up the first goal and scoring the winner by himself.

Throughout the match, Robben was a constant menace on the right flank, cutting inside with trademark guile and driving at Dortmund’s defence with relentless intent.

His assist for Mandzukic’s opener was a testament to his vision, and in the dying minutes, he delivered the crowning moment. Ghosting past two defenders, Robben coolly slotted home the winning goal to seal a 2-1 triumph for Bayern Munich.

In a final of immense pressure, Robben was both creator and executioner, delivering redemption and the ultimate prize for Bayern, who won their fifth Champions League title.

10. Didier Drogba: Bayern Munich (3) 1-1 (4) Chelsea in 2012

Didier Drogba delivered a performance for the ages in the 2012 final to help Chelsea secure their first-ever Champions League title by beating Bayern Munich, who own the stadium where the final was held.

The narrative that the Munich stadium always crowns a first-time winner if they manage to get into the final is not just a myth, and Chelsea can barely testify to that, as they did it in the harshest way ever imagined.

They fell behind seven minutes before time against a team that had dominated them all game, but Didier Drogba managed to restore parity five minutes later, heading home a Juan Mata corner to stun the home crowd.

The game ultimately headed to a penalty shootout, and the Ivorian converted Chelsea's fifth penalty to win it, sealing a legendary status with the West Londoners, who had lost in their first final appearance four years earlier.