On this day in 2005, Liverpool conquered Europe for the fifth time with one of the greatest comebacks in football history.
In one of the most remarkable turnarounds in history, though, the Reds came roaring back into the game in the second half, scoring three times in the space of six minutes. Steven Gerrard, whose dynamic performance won him the Man of the Match accolade, got the first back and as the Serie A side uncharacteristically wobbled, Vladimir Smicer and Xabi Alonso took advantage to draw the Anfield club back on terms.
The penalty shootout was also a memorable affair, with Milan missing their first two kicks through Serginho and the normally reliable Andrea Pirlo. Liverpool raced into a 2-0 lead but John Arne Riise had his effort saved by Dida after Jon Dahl Tomasson had got one back. Kaka and Smicer exchanged goals but the cup was sealed when Andriy Shevchenko, then regarded as the finest centre-forward in the world, had his kick stopped by Jerzy Dudek.
Liverpool’s victory was greeted with astonishment, notably from manager Rafael Benitez, who admitted at the conclusion of the match: “My problem is that I don't have words to express the things that I feel at this moment.”
Television pundit and former Liverpool defender Alan Hansen said: “It wasn’t just the best comeback in a European Cup final; it wasn’t just the best comeback I’ve seen in football; it was the best comeback I’ve seen in sport anywhere in the world.”
No less a figure that Diego Maradona was similarly awestruck: “Even the Brazil team that won the 1970 World Cup could not have staged a comeback with Milan leading 3–0...The English club proved that miracles really do exist.”
From the other side of the fence, there was an equally profound reaction, as Pirlo explained in his autobiography ‘I Think Therefore I Play’: “We sat like a bunch of half-wits in the dressing room… We were bloodthirsty zombies faced with an unseen problem – the blood was ours and they had drunk every last drop. We couldn’t speak, we couldn’t move. They had mentally destroyed us. Insomnia, rage, depression, a sense of nothingness. We’d invented a new disease with multiple symptoms: Istanbul syndrome.”
Raucenors
1
manmasi
SireAuditordiggle
0
Nothing compared to that final in Istanbul
Yeah barca had 90 min to overturn the goals Liverpool got just 45 min
zaninry
1
don't forget 2019 my Liverpool vs Barca, and TAA Corner kick
that was a 2nd leg comeback but this is comeback in Final game outside home... How can you compare "Miracle of Istanbul" to 2nd leg comeback lol
Matelmopty
0
don't forget 2019 my Liverpool vs Barca, and TAA Corner kick
jabiklmpz
0
Another past glory
Ur a pained fellow!! Remember TAA= CORNER TAKEN QUICKLY....
jabiklmpz
0
Nothing compared to that final in Istanbul
You highly respected SIR!!
MILANITALIAsa
0
Liverpool - L = !!!!!
SireAuditordiggle
0
thanks to Neymar, UCL Barca vs PSG became another Great comback in football history.
Nothing compared to that final in Istanbul
JamesWalker
1
thanks to Neymar, UCL Barca vs PSG became another Great comback in football history.
JamesWalker
0
Another past glory
Glory is Glory whether past or present 👌
ChelseaFCfan
3
I rem this game vividly, I sat in the lounge with my dad, watching this game glued to my TV, this is 1 of the games that ignited my passion for football as a teenager, 15 years later I still mention this game in the 'anything can happen' catagory when my wife tells me to change the channel, they can't win now lol
Blasebecker
3
Another past glory
Gunners4ever❤
2
Awesome Comeback.