2007 Champions League Final vs AC Milan

Lore & Background

The final was a rematch of the 2005 final which Liverpool won 3–2 in a penalty shootout. Both teams entered in the third qualifying round and won their respective groups before reaching the knockout stage. Milan defeated Celtic by a single goal over two legs, beat Bayern Munich 4–2 on aggregate in the quarter-finals, and beat Manchester United 5–3 on aggregate in the semi-final. Liverpool beat Barcelona on the away goals rule in the first knockout round, recorded a 4–0 aggregate win over PSV Eindhoven in the quarter-finals, and beat Chelsea in a penalty shootout in the semi-finals.

Reader's Guide

Before the match there were ticketing problems because many fans gained entry without valid tickets. After the match, a UEFA spokesman accused Liverpool of having the worst fans in Europe, a claim later denied by UEFA president Michel Platini. Watched by a crowd of 63,000, Milan took the lead when Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflected off Filippo Inzaghi in the first half. Milan extended their lead in the second half when Inzaghi scored a second goal. Liverpool scored a late goal through Dirk Kuyt, but were unable to equalise. Milan won 2–1.

Did You Know?

• Milan's sixth title surpassed Liverpool's then-record of five titles.
• Both teams passed through four rounds (group stage, round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals) after the third qualifying round.
• Milan's Kaká finished as top scorer in the competition that season with ten goals.
• The match ball was the Adidas Finale Athens, designed in blue and white representing the colours of the Greek national flag.