Liverpool beatet AC Milan 3-2 in a penalty shoot-out to
win the Champions League after sensationally coming from three goals down at
half-time.
Paolo Maldini gave Milan a first-minute lead and Hernan
Crespo's double gave Milan a seemingly unassailable lead.
Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool hope and Vladimir Smicer
and Xabi Alonso levelled in a seven-minute spell.
Jerzy Dudek then saved from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy
Shevchenko in the shoot-out to clinch a stunning victory.
It capped an amazing turnaround, with Liverpool looking
out of contention after they were completely outclassed in the first-half.
Have Your Say: Congratulate Liverpool on their
success
Liverpool's advance to the final was a major shock as
they invaded the established order of Europe's footballing elite - over-turning
the odds against Juventus and Chelsea to reach Istanbul.
And in a show of character that broke Italian hearts they
claimed the trophy for the fifth time - a feat that ensures the trophy will now
stay at Anfield permanently.
Milan captain Paolo Maldini tears off his losers' medal.
Liverpool's fans were determined to savour the occasion, with well in excess of
their official 20,000 ticket allocation inside the Ataturk Stadium at kick-off.
Manager Rafael Benitez made a bold team selection when he
excluded Dietmar Hamann and Igor Biscan - so successful in the European campaign
- on the sidelines in favour of Harry Kewell.
It was a decision that back-fired in the worst possible
fashion in a catastrophic first 45 minutes for Liverpool.
Milan were ahead inside the first minute, when Pirlo's
free-kick was met by the unmarked Maldini, who swept a finish high past Dudek.
Liverpool's lack of a holding midfield player allowed
Milan to cut a swathe past Gerrard and Alonso.
And Kewell's ill-fated selection looked even more of a
failed gamble when he limped off with a groin injury after only 22 minutes, to
be replaced by Smicer.
Milan ended the first half exerting almost embarrassing
domination, with two strikes in the last six minutes of the opening period.
Shevchenko broke away down the right flank in a sweeping
attack, and crossed for Crespo to turn home from close range.
Lifting the trophy has to be the best
feeling ever
Steven Gerrard
More Liverpool reaction
And four minutes later, Milan added a third when
Brazilian Kaka, the most influential player in the first 45 minutes, unlocked
Liverpool's defence with a brilliant pass that released Crespo for a clever chip
over the onrushing Dudek.
Benitez made a change at half-time - introducing Hamman
for Steve Finnan, who had a thigh injury.
Dudek produced a fine diving save from Shevchenko's
free-kick to stop Liverpool going four down before Benitez's side launched an
astonishing comeback.
Gerrard threw Liverpool a lifeline with a header from
John Arne Riise's cross after 53 minutes, and when Dida fumbled in Smicer's tame
25-yard shot a minute later, they were alive again.
And Liverpool's recovery was complete on the hour when
Gennaro Gattuso pulled down Gerrard in the area as he was poised to equalise.
Dida saved Alonso's spot-kick, but the Spanish midfield
man followed up to score the rebound with Milan's defenders looking on in
stunned disbelief.
The massed ranks of Liverpool supporters, who sat in
desolation during the interval, were now in ecstasy and contemplating a victory
that seemed impossible just 15 minutes earlier.
Dudek saves Shevchenko's penalty to clinch the cup for
Liverpool
The final then reverted to a cat-and-mouse affair, but Djimi
Traore rescued a poor personal display when he cleared off the line from
Shevchenko after Dudek fumbled Crespo's cross.
Milan dominated possession in extra-time, and they were
denied by a miracle double save by Dudek from Shevchenko with three minutes
remaining.
He blocked Shevchenko's header then somehow diverted his
shot over the top from only a yard out.
Serginho and Pirlo missed Milan's first two penalties,
while Hamann and Djibril Cisse were on target for Liverpool.
Substitute Jon Dahl Tomasson put Milan in contention
before Riise missed for Liverpool.
Kaka scored for Milan, and after Smicer scored for
Liverpool, Shevchenko's kick was saved by Dudek to spark wild scenes of
celebration.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
AC Milan: Dida, Cafu, Maldini, Stam, Nesta, Gattuso (Rui
Costa 112), Seedorf (Serginho 86), Pirlo, Kaka, Shevchenko, Crespo (Tomasson
85).
Subs Not Used: Abbiati, Kaladze, Costacurta, Dhorasoo.
Goals: Maldini 1, Crespo 39, 44.
Liverpool: Dudek, Finnan (Hamann 46), Traore, Hyypia,
Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Kewell (Smicer 23), Baros (Cisse
85).
Subs Not Used: Carson, Josemi, Nunez, Biscan.
Booked: Carragher, Baros.
Goals: Gerrard 54, Smicer 56, Alonso 59.
Att: 65,000.
Ref: Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez (Spain).
www.liverpoolfc.tv
http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/drilldown/N148937050526-0014.htm
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