Final
Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan – Liverpool win 3-2 on penalties (25th May 2005)
One of the most incredible games of football that there has ever been. The ‘Miracle of Istanbul’, which won us the competition for the fifth time in our history, was a roller-coaster of a match that will still be talked about in 50 years time. Paolo Maldini gave Milan the lead inside a minute, before a Hernan Crespo double before the break had the favourites in dreamland.
But, back came Liverpool, with Steven Gerrard heading in our first just nine minutes after the break to give us hope. Two minutes later and it was 3-2, Vladimir Smicer’s long-range effort alluding Dida and finding the corner of the net. By the hour mark, we were inexplicably level, Xabi Alonso finding the roof of the net after following up from his own penalty, which was initially saved by the Brazilian stopper.
The Reds endured a painful 30 minutes of extra-time, where tired legs were evident, and only a mind-boggling double save from Jerzy Dudek prevented Andriy Shevchenko from netting the winner.
Dudek was the hero again in the penalty shoot-out, saving twice from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko. Serginho also blazed over as Milan missed three of their five penalties, while successful efforts from Hamann, Cisse and Smicer proved enough to take the trophy back to Merseyside for keeps.
Liverpool team in full: Dudek, Finnan (Hamann 46′), Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Alonso, Gerrard, Garcia, Riise, Kewell (Smicer 23′), Baros (Cisse 85′). Unused substitutes: Carson, Josemi, Nunez, Biscan.
