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Game Recap

History was made. Two English teams square off each other for the first time in the history
of the Prestigious Champions League Final. Chelsea bidding to be first time lucky, while Manchester wants to add to their tally of 2 medals.

Manchester United dominated the opening exchanges with Cristiano Ronaldo looking absolutely brilliant. Much has been said about his inability to rise to the big the occasion, and with this game, he has silenced his critics.

Michael Essien, deployed as a right-back by Avram Grant to counter the advances of C.Ronaldo, failed miserably in his job. It was not that he lacked speed, but C.Ronaldo was too good, often gliding past Essien, with one shift up in gear or a flick of the ball. Indeed, United were looking v.dangerous whenever C.Ronaldo burst past Essien.

In the 26min, with much attention shifted to the left wing where C.Ronaldo has exploited with ease, United strike the first blow. Paul Scholes and Wes Brown, played delightful one-touch football, and Brown delivered the ball to the penalty box with his weaker left foot. C.Ronaldo was first to react, heading the ball into the bottom left corner, leaving Peter Cech stranded. Essien and John Terry were nowhere near.

The next ten minutes were played at a frantic pace, with Chelsea looking to claim an equalizer. In the 33rd min, there was almost an own goal by Rio Ferdinand. Under pressure from Michael Ballack, Ferdinand attempted to head the ball to Edwin Var der Sar. Replays showed Ballack had fouled Ferdinand, and the ball was much stronger than Ferdinand intended, it was only the quick reflexes of the giant Dutchman that prevented a goal.

On another such foray into the United half, Rooney intercepted the ball, and played a 40 yard pass, swinging from the right side of the field to the left, where C.Ronaldo was sprinting down. There was just enough height on the ball to evade the challenge of Essien, and the ball was controlled superbly by C.Ronaldo. With one burst, he left Essien in his wake and delivered a left footed cross into the penalty area. Carlos Tevez was first to react, and met the cross bravely with a diving header, only to be denied by the excellent Peter Cech. The rebound fell nicely to Michael Carrick, and his attempted strong pass to goal was again palmed away by Cech.

In the 42nd min, Rooney who has been quiet for much of the game, made the best of sloppy play by Ballack and Ashley Cole, delivered a dangerous cross into the 6 yard box. Carlos Tevez, ever the predator, just missed connecting the ball, perhaps with pressure from Claude Makelele.

It would have been game over for Chelsea had United converted their chances. Ferdinand and the agile Nemanja Vidic was keeping Didier Drogba at bay, and Chelsea did not look capable of breaking the stronghold by Vidic & Ferdinand. The game was to take a different at the end of first half. Essien, known more for his attacking prowess, drifted into mid-field, and blasted a shot goalwards, only to find Vidic and the back of Ferdinand in the way. The ball fell nicely to Lampard, who coolly converted the ball. 1-1. It was just what most Manchester United fans dreaded.

The second half belonged to Chelsea. Michael Ballack, Michael Essien and Didier Drogba each took turns to shoot at Van der Sar. The weather which was excellent at the start of the game was giving way to showers. On one of Essien shot, Van der Sar was stranded as he slipped. Fortunately, the ball went wide.

In the 78 min, Drogba received a ball on the edge of the penalty box. Everyone was expecting a pass from him. With one quick turn, he unleashed a shot that had a lot more power than what was conceivable given the space he had. Fortunately for United, the ball bounced on the wrong side post.

United fans were jittery and biting their fans. In the 82 min, Florent Malouda delivered a cross to the 6 yard box. Had the deadly Drogba met it, it would be a certain goal. Fortunately Vidic was outstanding again in his tackle.

In truth, United owed as much to C.Ronaldo and the attacking partnership of Rooney & Tevez, as to the their defence, in particular Vidic. It was no coincidence that United struggled in games that Vidic missed.

In the 87 min, Ryan Giggs made history by coming on for Paul Scholes. He has surpassed Sir Bobby Charlton in terms of appearances for the club.

Both teams seem to tire towards the end of the game. With the game at 1-1, extra time ensued.

The game took its toll on the players, and the pace was visibly slower than regulation time.

In the 103rd min, the ever energetic Evra, made a run down the left wing, and delivered a cut-back while at the edge of the goal line. The ball fell to Ryan Gigs, who met it with a sweet left foot. Peter Cech was caught wrong footed, and Giggs looked certain to score. John Terry, however, made an impossible save with his head.

In the 120min, tempers flared. Drogba and Vidic were involved in a shoving match, and in a moment of stupidity, Drogba slapped Vidic. The referee was spot on, and duely gave Drogba his marching orders. What an end to the game for Drogba, who could be one of the deadliest striker in the world on his day, and yet prone to cheap diving acts.

Both teams held out for penalties. On paper, United looked the likely side to win, though history was not with them. Van der Sar is recognised as a better keeper in saving penalty than Peter Cech who has a dismal record of saving penalties. Drogba, the reliable penalty taker for Chelsea was also sent off.

When the penalties started, Peter Cech looked composed and outstanding. He guessed the right way for both Tevez and Carrick. It was ominous for United fans, who feared Cech must be determined to prove his critics wrong about his penalty saving skills. Ballack and Belletti also scored for Chelsea making the score 2-2. It was almost unbearable to watch.

Up next C.Ronaldo. He was the regular penalty take for United. His usual style is to stutter to rile the keeper, and then to fire it into either corner. The last penalty he scored, he did not stutter enroute to shooting. Few knew what was going on in the precocious genius mind.

He stepped up, looking confident. He stuttered his way, and placed the shot firmly to the bottom left. Cech made a brilliant save. It was almost as if he had studies how Ronaldo took penalties. Credit to Cech.

Hargreaves, Lampard, Nani and Ashley Cole scored to make the score 4-4. The last kick belonged to Chelsea and John Terry, Captain Chelsea, was to take it. If there was anyone to take the team to the trophy, it was this guy.

Nobody dared to watch. United fans feared the worst. Yet nobody could have expected what followed. Terry slipped but still managed to place a firm shot to Van der Sar’s right. Van der Sar was stranded. However the upright kept United in the game. From then now, there was renewed confidence in United players, Chelsea were looking dejected.

Anderson, Giggs and Kalou scored. Anelka have to score to level. His shot was saved by Van der Sar, and United players were hysterical. They had won the game. C.Ronaldo dropped to his knees, perhaps thanking divine intervention that had bailed him out.

The same could not be said for Chelsea players, especially John Terry. He was inconsolable. There was sympathy for John Terry, from even United players and fans, for they know how outstanding a leader was Terry. However, there could be one winner.