2008 UEFA Champions League Final – Manchester united vs Chelsea: Match of the Year
June 9, 2008
2008 UEFA Champions League Final – Manchester united vs Chelsea: Match of the Year
UEFA Champions League is believed to be the greatest football tournament of Europe with the best clubs of all European countries fighting it out for claiming the top spot in the continent. This year, two of the best clubs in UK and probably Europe, Manchester United and Chelsea, fought in the final at Moscow.
This was yet another enthralling encounter between these two giants, who had saw each other thrice before this match and were even on all grounds. With the Premier League in their pocket and an impressive outing in the Champions, Manchester United had the advantage. Still, Chelsea was not going to surrender easy
Manchester United dominated the first half with Christiano Ronaldo scoring within 30 minutes. However, Chelsea struck back with a goal from Frank Lampard going pass the outstretched hands of Edwin Van der Sar in the late moments.
Second half saw the United defense tumbling and the tide turned towards Chelsea for most parts. There were many opportunities missed by the latter, which could have sealed the game. However, the game moved into extra time with both teams tied 1-1.
It was visible that the situation was tensed in extra time and when Carlos Tevez through the ball out of hands, situation went out of hand. In a heated confrontation, Didier Drogba, star Chelsea striker, slapped Nemanja Vidic and was sent off. This was the probable turning point of the game, as he had been responsible for a late strike in another encounter between the two.
With no result possible even in extra time, the match went down to penalty shootouts and when Christiano Ronaldo missed a penalty, it spelled doom for United. However, with courageous goalkeeping by Van der Sar, who saved shots from John Terry, Mr. Chelsea, and Nicholas Anelka, along with brilliant penalties taken from United players, they did the inevitable and became the Champions of both UK and Europe.
Although United won, football, as a sport, was victorious. There is no doubt that until now, it is the ‘Match of the Year’.
Posted in Champions League, Chelsea FC, EURO 2008, General, Man U, UEFA Cup
