Branislav Ivanovic headed Chelsea to a dramatic 2-1 Europa League final victory over Benfica in stoppage time as the London side became the first club to hold Europe's two major club trophies at the same time.
A year after lifting the Champions League trophy by shocking Bayern Munich on penalties in Munich, this match proved to be every bit as thrilling as Rafael Benitez's team somehow resisted a Benfica side who had looked classier on the ball.
With the score level at 1-1 a minute into three added on after an Oscar Cardozo penalty on 68 minutes had cancelled out Fernando Torres's opening goal on 60 minutes, Ivanovic - suspended for last year's Champions League final - proved the difference between the sides.
The Serbian defender sent a towering header back across goal from Juan Mata's corner. The ball seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before nestling in the net as Benfica goalkeeper Artur could only watch the ball drop beyond him into the corner of the net.
It was a heartbreaking way for Benfica to lose the match, but they ultimately paid the price for failing to score having dominated large swathes of the first period.
They have now lost seven straight European finals since winning the European Cup with a 5-3 win over Real Madrid in Amsterdam in 1962.
A year after lifting the Champions League trophy by shocking Bayern Munich on penalties in Munich, this match proved to be every bit as thrilling as Rafael Benitez's team somehow resisted a Benfica side who had looked classier on the ball.
With the score level at 1-1 a minute into three added on after an Oscar Cardozo penalty on 68 minutes had cancelled out Fernando Torres's opening goal on 60 minutes, Ivanovic - suspended for last year's Champions League final - proved the difference between the sides.
The Serbian defender sent a towering header back across goal from Juan Mata's corner. The ball seemed to hang in the air for an eternity before nestling in the net as Benfica goalkeeper Artur could only watch the ball drop beyond him into the corner of the net.
It was a heartbreaking way for Benfica to lose the match, but they ultimately paid the price for failing to score having dominated large swathes of the first period.
They have now lost seven straight European finals since winning the European Cup with a 5-3 win over Real Madrid in Amsterdam in 1962.
But the Dutch capital was not kind to them on this occasion.
c the fans crying.. dats why we luv our sport
ReplyDeletei was so sorry for chelsea wen dey won it.. they were dancing in shame
ReplyDeleteAllez les blues!.. Buh John Terry tho.. sighs*
ReplyDeleteLosers Champions!
ReplyDeleteim a chelsea fan buh i felt ashamed yesterday
ReplyDelete