The fates wanted Manchester United to win. This is the line most Chelsea fans, and even some Man U fans, will have on their lips after United won the the 2007-08 Champions League title on penalties in Moscow. Sir Alex’s second Champions League title, coming fifty years after the Munich air crash, sees United complete the double, with Roman’s Chelsea ending the season empty handed.
Cristiano Ronaldo, whose future at the club seems uncertain after papers linked him with a move to Spain, gave United the lead in the first ever all English Champions League final when he connected with Wes Brown’s cross to score his 42nd goal of the season.
In the 34th minute, Chelsea were almost granted a bizarre equaliser, but Edwin Van Der Sar ensured that United kept their one goal advantage.
Carlos Tevez had two great opportunities to double United’s lead, but both were unfortunately not converted. One was thanks to a stunning effort from Petr Cech, whose one handed save denied the Argentine after United had orchestrated an attack that left Chelsea thoroughly exposed. Cech even recovered to stop Michael Carrick’s followup effort.
In the 43rd minute Wayne Rooney sent in a low cross which Tevez was unable to slide in, with the ball evading his outstretched boot.
But Chelsea hit back just before the break, with Frank Lampard bringing the tie back on level terms. Michael Essien’s shot, which could be described as hopeful looking at best, took deflections off Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic, and landed in the path of Lampard, who coolly slotted it home.
Both the teams chose to make no change at half time. If the first half belonged to United, Chelsea were the better team in the second half. Florent Malouda had a penalty appeal turned down by Slovakian referee Lubos Michel, and Didier Drogba’s superb 20 yard shot had Van der Sar beaten, but the post saved United.
Ryan Giggs broke Bobby Charlton’s record for all time United appearances when he replaced Paul Scholes in the 87th minute. The match stayed at 1-1 after 90 minutes, and Giggs nearly scored the winner in the fourth minute of extra time, but Chelsea skipper John Terry somehow got his head in the way.
Didier Drogba was sent off for tapping Vidic in the face in the 116th minute, and Chelsea were reduced to 10 men. In the Russian capital of Moscow and in the presence of oil tycoon Roman Abramovich, the result had to be decided by football’s version of Russian roulette- the penalty shootout.
Tevez scored
Ballack scored
Carrick scored
Beletti scored
Ronaldo missed
Lampard scored
Hargreaves scored
Ashley Cole scored
Nani scored
With the tie at 4-4, John Terry slipped in his run up, and his penalty hit the upright.
United had an escape route. The stuff finals are made of- right?
Giggs scored
Nicolas Anelka missed
And United won 6-5 on penalties.
Cruel for Terry, Grant and Roman, but that is the way football goes.
Congratulations Manchester United.
2nd title for EVDS- his last one was with Ajax in 1995.
A rare shootout win for Ferguson.
Third win for United in the CL- Benfica, Bayern and Chelsea.