Spot-On Liverpool Kings Of Europe

Liverpool are the new champions of Europe after they defeated Milan 3-2 on penalties following an amazing 3-3 draw between the sides in Istanbul. Jerzy Dudek was the hero, saving from Andrea Pirlo and Andriy Shevchenko, as Liverpool pulled off one of the most astonishing victories in Champions League history. Milan got off to the perfect start after just a minute. Kaka was fouled on the edge of the area, Pirlo swung in the free-kick, and Paolo Maldini was on hand to volley home. Liverpool, though, reacted well with Dida forced into a save from a Sami Hyypia header. Liverpool were close to going further behind on 14 minutes when Luis Garcia cleared a Hernan Crespo header off the line at the near post. Rafa Benitez’s gamble of starting with Harry Kewell failed to pay off as the Australian picked up a knock and was replaced by Vladimir Smicer after 22 minutes. After Shevchenko had seen a goal ruled out for offside, Milan made it 2-0 on 38 minutes, but controversy surrounded the goal. Liverpool argued that they should have had a penalty after the ball appeared to hit Alessandro Nesta’s elbow inside the area. But the referee waved play on, and Milan breezed down the other end, with Kaka setting Shevchenko free down the right, and the Ukrainian crossed for Crespo who tapped in number two. It appeared game over after 43 minutes when Kaka, who was causing the Liverpool defence so much discomfort, set Crespo free with an outstanding through-ball from midfield, and the Argentine chipped over the advancing Dudek to set the Milan fans wild for a third time. Benitez brought Didi Hamann on at half-time for the injured Steve Finnan, but what was to follow defied belief. After Xabi Alonso had fired just wide from long-range, Dudek dived to save a fierce Shevchenko free-kick. Liverpool were back in the game on 53 minutes as Steven Gerrard headed in a left-wing cross from John Arne Riise. Just two minutes later it was 3-2 as substitute Smicer struck a long-range shot that flew into the bottom corner of Dida’s net. The comeback was complete on 59 as Gattuso floored Gerrard in the area and Liverpool were awarded a penalty kick. Although Dida dived low to save Xabi Alonso’s initial effort, the Spanish international converted the rebound. Liverpool were on fire, and Dida had to be on his mettle to save a long-range Riise effort. The last chance of normal time saw Kaka just fail to convert a Shevchenko header at the far post. Milan so close to winning it. Extra time was less incident packed, with Milan probably just shading it. They had the only two chances, with substitute Jon Dahl Tomasson failing to connect with a Serginho cross, and Shevchenko twice denied by Dudek. First the Pole saved a header from the Ukrainian, before denying him on the rebound. How Shevchenko failed to secure the trophy for the Rossoneri will remain one of the great mysteries of European football. Into penalty kicks, and Liverpool took a 2-0 lead through Hamann and Cisse, with Serginho and Pirlo (a Dudek save) both missing for Milan. Tomasson then scored for Milan, with Dida denying Riise on the next spot kick. Kaka scored, as did Smicer. If Shevchenko missed it would be all over, and Dudek dived to keep out the striker’s kick.