Ryan Giggs' top 10 European moments

By Chris Hughes in Mirror Football Blog

Published 14:52 01/10/09

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Ryan Giggs wrote another chapter of football history on Wednesday night when he scored his 150th goal for Manchester United against Wolfsburg.

Now 35, the Welsh wizard proved he's still got what it takes to shine on the biggest stage with an impressive, albeit deflected, free-kick from 20 yards out, as United defeated the Bundesliga champions 2-1.

The strike was the latest in a long line of memorable moments in Europe for the United number 11 over the last 18 years. MirrorFootball relives 10 landmarks in his continental career…

Manchester United 1-1 Atletico Madrid (Cup-Winners' Cup 2nd round 2nd leg, November 6, 1991)
Giggs made his European debut at the age of 17 against the Spanish side at Old Trafford. But it wasn't exactly a night to remember, as holders United, trailing 3-0 from the first leg, could only draw 1-1, to crash out of the competition at just the second hurdle.

Manchester United 4-2 Gothenburg (Champions League group stage, September 14, 1994)
The Welshman scored his first European goal, and his second for that matter, as United thumped the Swedish champions at Old Trafford. He scored the first on 33 minutes, turning in a cross from Mark Hughes, and grabbed the second on 66 minutes, following up after Ravelli parried a thunderous shot from Paul Ince.

Manchester United 4-0 Porto (Champions League quarter-final 1st leg, March 5, 1997)
Still only 21, Giggs proved the star of the show in this quarter-final, scoring the third and troubling the Portuguese defence all night. Deployed in midfield in place of the injured Roy Keane, the Welshman demonstrated his supernatural maturity and passing ability in a mesmerising performance.

Manchester United 3-2 Juventus (Champions League group stage, October 1, 1997)
Alessandro Del Piero had silenced the Old Trafford crowd with a goal after just 20 seconds, but Giggs had them off their seats almost 90 minutes later. The United winger ran through half the Juventus defence before lashing a stunning shot past Gianlugi Buffon into the roof of the net.

Manchester United 1-1 Juventus (Champions League semi-final 1st leg, April 7, 1999)
Losing 1-0 in the 90th minute of the first leg of the semi-final at Old Trafford, it seemed United's Champions League dream was fading away. Antonio Conte had fired Juve in front on 25 minutes, but in the dying seconds, Giggs connected with Beckham's cross to lash the ball home to give United a precious lifeline.

Manchester United 2-1 Bayern Munich (Champions League final, May 25, 1999)
In one of the most celebrated sporting comebacks of all time, Giggs helped United rescue glory from the jaws of defeat at the Nou Camp. The Bayern ribbons were already being tied to the European Cup, when Giggs mishit a shot towards Teddy Sheringham, who steered the ball into the net to make it 1-1, before Ole-Gunnar Solskjaer netted the dramatic last-gasp winner.

Juventus 0-3 Manchester United (Champions League second group stage, February 25, 2003)
The United number 11 shrugged off mounting criticism from the fans to score a breathtaking goal reminiscent of his classic goal against Arsenal in 1999. Picking up the ball on the halfway line, he weaved through the Juve back four then fired coolly past Buffon with his right foot before pointing to his name on his shirt.

Manchester United 2-1 Benfica (Champions League group stage, September 27, 2005)
In his 100th European appearance, Giggs found the target against the Portuguese champions at Old Trafford. In the 39th minute, he fired home from a free-kick 30 yards out to put United in front, although the strike needed a wicked deflection to beat Benfica keeper Moreira.

Lille 0-1 Manchester United (Champions League first knockout round, February 20, 2007)
Giggs netted the winner in controversial circumstances, curling in a quick free-kick from 20 yards while Lille were still assembling their defensive wall. The home side, still furious that an earlier header had been ruled out by the Dutch referee, almost walked off the pitch in protest.

Manchester United 1-1 Chelsea (Champions League final, May 21, 2008 – United win 6-5 on penalties)
The Welshman began his second Champions League final on the bench, but he entered the arena in the 87th minute to make his 759th appearance for United, a club record. In extra time, he had a shot headed off the line by John Terry, before converting United's decisive spot-kick in the penalty shoot-out.