An epic. Or a classic?

The reflex impulse immediately after the final whistle yesterday was to describe this game as a classic. 

I was more inclined to think of it as an epic. There may not seem to be much of a distinction between the two but there is a difference. A classic is a type of flawless masterpiece.

This was a masterpiece but some of the colours drained off the canvas, which deprives it of classic status.