AC Milan v Liverpool, 25 May 2005

LIVERPOOL WON 3-2 ON PENALTIES AFTER EXTRA TIME - 3-3 at 90 minutes KICK-OFF: 7.45pm BST It’s been called ’The Greatest Comeback In Football History’ and ’15 Minutes That Shook The World’. It was Liverpool’s truly amazing victory against AC Milan in the 2005 Champions League Final. Rafa Benitez inspired his magnificent Reds from a 3-0 first half mauling to reply with three goals in six crazy minutes. Keeper Jerzy Dudek then became the hero of the heroes with an astounding double save late in extra-time before the drama of the penalty shoot-out. Liverpool could not have got off to a worse start. Paolo Maldini was the unlikely scorer of the European Cup Final’s quickest ever goal after 51 seconds only to be followed by a double from Hernan Crespo as Milan appeared to build an unassailable half-time lead with the Reds were totally outclassed. Skipper Steven Gerrard gave Liverpool hope with a headed goal on 53 minutes. Six minutes later the scores were level. In his last appearance for the club, Vladimir Smicer drilled home a low shot on 55 minutes then Gennaro Gattuso pulled down Gerrard. Referee Manuel Enrique Mejuto Gonzalez pointed to the spot and – amid remarkable scenes – Dida saved Xabi Alonso’s spot kick only for the Spaniard to the fire the rebound into the roof of the net. With no further goals, the game entered extra time and, with only three minutes left, Dudek made an absolutely astonishing double save from a shot and header by Andriy Shevchenko, So to the shoot-out and, after Serginho fired the opening penalty over the bar, Dudek denied Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko to make Liverpool the champions of Europe for the fifth time and retain the cup as per European Cup rules. Joyous scenes of celebration followed in the early hours in Istanbul after an incredible night of high drama.