2005 Champions League Final vs AC Milan

Lore & Background

Milan were regarded as favourites before the match and took the lead within the first minute through captain Paolo Maldini. Milan striker Hernán Crespo added two more goals before half-time to make it 3–0. In the second half Liverpool launched a comeback and scored three goals in a dramatic six-minute spell to level the scores at 3–3, with goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso. The scores remained the same during extra time, and a penalty shoot-out was required to decide the champions. The score was 3–2 to Liverpool when Andriy Shevchenko's penalty was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek. It was Liverpool's fifth European Cup, which meant they were awarded the trophy permanently and the right to wear a multiple-winner badge. Liverpool's comeback gave rise to the final being known as the Miracle of Istanbul.

In Their Own Story

The air in Istanbul was thick with tension, a suffocating mix of red and black flares illuminating the night sky. On the pitch, the silence from the Liverpool bench was heavy; three goals down at halftime felt like a death sentence for any other team, but not this one. As the second half began, a strange energy crackled through the Anfield contingent in the stands. When Gerrard headed home the first equalizer, the roar that erupted seemed to physically lift the players off the turf. One goal became two, then three. The impossible was happening in real-time. In extra time, Shevchenko broke free but found only the palms of Jerzy Dudek, whose acrobatic 'spaghetti legs' save denied him a winner. As the referee blew for penalties, nerves were tested to their limit; Serginho sliced Milan's first kick wide, and despite Pirlo hitting the bar, it was Dudek who parried Crespo’s effort before denying Shevchenko's final spot-kick to seal a 3-2 shootout victory. The trophy was lifted amidst chaos, creating a moment of pure euphoria that has echoed through generations of fans ever since.

Reader's Guide

Liverpool finished second in their group behind 2004 runners-up Monaco and subsequently beat Bayer Leverkusen, Juventus and Chelsea to progress to the final. Milan won their group ahead of Barcelona and faced Manchester United, Inter Milan and PSV Eindhoven before reaching the final. The match was held at Istanbul's Atatürk Olympic Stadium; it was the first time a European final had been held in Turkey.

Did You Know?

• Steven Gerrard's goal came in the 54th minute, nine minutes into the second half.
• Liverpool's fifth title did not move them level with AC Milan, as Milan had six titles at the time.