Iconic Moments in Football No.84
This week’s iconic moment comes from the 2008 Champions League Final between Chelsea and Manchester United.
It was Chelsea’s first Champions League Final and United’s third. Chelsea skipper John Terry would end the final in tears after missing a penalty shootout. Terry’s tears would be the most memorable moment of the match.
The final was played in Moscow and played in torrential rain. The weather would have an impact on the match, with players losing their footing. The same would happen to Terry at the most crucial of times.
Cristiano Ronaldo gave United the lead after 26 minutes. It was his 42nd goal of the season, scored in only 49 games. Frank Lampard levelled the scores just before half time and that was the way the score remained after 90 minutes and the additional half an hour of Extra Time.
United went first in the shootout. Carlos Tevez scored with the first penalty and Michael Ballack made it 1-1. Michael Carrick and Juliano Belletti then both scored before Cristiano Ronaldo had his spot kick saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
Frank Lampard scored Chelsea’s third to make the score 3-2. Owen Hargreaves and Ashley Cole both netted to make it 4-3 and Nani scored United’s fifth to level the score. Chelsea’s skipper John Terry was next on the list to take a penalty and he had the opportunity to secure Chelsea’s first Champions League win.
Terry sent man of the match Edwin van der Sar the wrong way, hitting his penalty towards the bottom left corner. However as the Chelsea captain struck the ball with the inside of his right boot, his left leg slightly gave way and he slipped, causing the ball to skew wide of the post.
It was an unfortunate moment but not entirely unexpected due to the weather conditions. It was probably more surprising that someone hadn’t slipped up earlier in the shootout.
With the scores now level after five spot kicks, the Final would be decided on sudden death. Nani scored Manchester United’s sixth penalty and Salomon Kalou scored for Chelsea. Ryan Giggs scored United’s seventh penalty before Edwin van der Sar made his second save of the shootout, pushing away Nicolas Anelka’s decisive effort.
Terry broke down in tears at the final whistle, blaming himself for not taking the opportunity to win the match and trophy for his club. The pictures of the England captain crying into his shirt as the United players celebrated around him was seen throughout the world, replayed over and over on the news and printed in the newspapers. His penalty remains the most significant moment of that 2008 Champions League Final.
John Terry would finally get his hands on the Champions League trophy four years later as Chelsea beat Bayern Munich. The victory came ironically from a penalty shootout. Terry didn’t play in the match as he was suspended following a red card in the semi final. After the deciding penalty from Didier Drogba, Terry ripped off his tracksuit and revealed a full kit underneath and sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate with his team mates!
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