Milan were regarded as favourites before the match and took the lead within the first minute through captain
Paolo Maldini. Milan striker
Hernán Crespo added two more goals before half-time to make it 3–0. In the second half Liverpool launched a comeback and scored three goals in a dramatic six-minute spell to level the scores at 3–3, with goals from
Steven Gerrard,
Vladimír Šmicer and
Xabi Alonso. The scores remained the same during extra time, and a
penalty shoot-out was required to decide the champions. The score was 3–2 to Liverpool when
Andriy Shevchenko's penalty was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper
Jerzy Dudek. Thus Liverpool won their fifth European Cup, were
awarded the trophy permanently, and claimed a
multiple-winner badge.
Liverpool's comeback gave rise to the final being known as the Miracle of Istanbul, and is regarded as one of the finest moments of the club's history.[/quote]
2005 UEFA Champions League Final - Wikipedia