Chelsea beat Bayern Munich 4—3 in a penalty shoot—out in the final of the Champions League on Saturday in Munich after the match finished 1—1 after extra time.
Didier Drogba was the match—winner for his side as he not only levelled matters in the 88th minute, he also scored the winning penalty.
Thomas Mueller gave Bayern the lead with just eight minutes to go, but Drogba, who could have played his final game for Chelsea, took his side into extra—time with his equalizer.
Dutch international Arjen Robben had a chance to win the game for the home side, but his poorly—taken penalty in the 95th minute was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.
In front of a capacity crowd of 62,500 Bayern had more of the opening spell of the game, without creating any clear—cut chances though, while Chelsea’s lone striker Drogba struggled to find a way through the Bayern defence.
Mario Gomez had the first chance of the game in the 19th minute after a corner, but instead of going for goal, the Germany striker attempted to lay on and the chance was wasted.
Just two minutes later Robben found his way through the Chelsea defence and with just Cech to beat, shot straight at the goalkeeper from close range and Cech managed to push the ball against the crossbar.
Gomez rushed onto the rebound and put it back into the area with an acrobatic overhead kick, but the Chelsea defence managed to clear.
Thomas Mueller should have given the German side the lead in the 34th minute when Diego Contendo’s cross found the striker, who put his volley wide.
Salomon Kalou finally tested Manuel Neuer shortly afterwards with a powerful shot into the left corner, which the Germany goalkeeper did well to save.
Gomez then had the last chance of the first half when he had a free shot at the Chelsea goal, but blasted the ball well over the crossbar.
Bayern’s dominance continued into the second half as Robben and Ribery put the Chelsea defence under pressure.
The Frenchman thought he had given his side the lead nine minutes after the restart when Robben’s shot was deflected to Ribery by Ashley Cole, but referee Pedro Proenca correctly ruled the goal offside.
Shortly afterwards the Portuguese referee turned down a Bayern penalty appeal after Cole had deflected the ball away for a corner with his arm.
As Bayern mounted attack after attack, even Drogba fell back to help out in defence.
The Premier League side finally had their first corner of the match — at this stage Bayern was well into double—figures — in the 72nd minute after Neuer saved from Drogba.
Mueller finally broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute with a well—taken header that bounced over Cech after being set up by Toni Kroos.
Chelsea brought on striker Fernando Torres afterwards as they went in search of an equalizer.
Somewhat undeservedly, they leveled matters with just a minute to go as Drogba headed home after a Juan Mata corner, with Neuer not looking at his best.
The goal gave the Blues confidence as they took the game to Bayern in the first half of extra—time, with Torres looking dangerous.
Drogba gave away an unnecessary penalty just four minutes into extra—time, as he kicked Ribery in the ankles from behind.
Robben’s poorly—placed shot was saved by Cech.
Ribery had to be taken off as a result of Drogba’s foul and was replaced by Ivica Olic.
Olic came close a minute after the start of the second—half of extra—time as his shot from a Philipp Lahm cross beat Cech, but trickled just wide.
As neither side managed to score, the game had to be decided on penalties, where Drogba turned match—winner.
It was Chelsea’s first Champions League victory in their second final, having lost to Manchester United in 2008.
