The 2005 Champions League Final was played on May 25, 2005, at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. The final was contested between AC Milan of Italy and Liverpool of England.
AC Milan dominated the first half, scoring three goals in the first 45 minutes. Paolo Maldini scored the first goal in the first minute of the match, and Hernán Crespo scored two more in the 39th and 44th minute.
Liverpool, however, mounted a remarkable comeback in the second half. Steven Gerrard scored in the 54th minute to give the English side some hope before Vladimir Smicer added a second goal just two minutes later. Xabi Alonso then scored the equalizer from the penalty spot in the 60th minute.
The match ended in a 3-3 draw after extra time, and a penalty shootout decided the winner. Liverpool’s goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek made two saves in the shootout, including a memorable double save from Andriy Shevchenko’s shot, to secure the victory for the English side.
Liverpool won the 2005 Champions League final 4-3 on penalties and lifted the trophy for the fifth time in their history. The match is widely regarded as one of the greatest comebacks in the history of the sport.
