Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan: The Miracle of Istanbul, 2005 Champions League Final
The 2005 Champions League final in Istanbul is the greatest comeback in the history of European finals. Liverpool were 3-0 down at half-time to one of the best Milan sides ever, and still won the trophy.
Official highlights from the Liverpool FC YouTube channel. Press play, then use the full-screen button in the bottom-right corner of the player. Watch on YouTube
Match facts
| Competition | UEFA Champions League final |
|---|---|
| Date | 25 May 2005 |
| Venue | Atatürk Olympic Stadium, Istanbul |
| Result | Liverpool 3-3 AC Milan (Liverpool won 3-2 on penalties) |
The story of the match
Milan scored after less than a minute through Paolo Maldini, the fastest goal in a Champions League final. Hernán Crespo added two more before half-time, the second from a perfect Kaká pass. In the dressing room the game looked over, while the Liverpool fans in the stands kept singing.
Rafael Benítez changed his shape at the break, and in six minutes Liverpool were level. Steven Gerrard headed in a cross, Vladimír Šmicer scored from distance, and Xabi Alonso scored the rebound after his own penalty was saved.
Milan dominated extra time. Jerzy Dudek made an extraordinary double save from Andriy Shevchenko late on, and in the shoot-out he saved from Andrea Pirlo and Shevchenko to win it.
Key moments to watch for
- Maldini scores in the first minute
- Crespo’s double puts Milan 3-0 up at half-time
- Gerrard, Šmicer and Alonso score in six minutes
- Dudek’s double save from Shevchenko in extra time
- Dudek saves the decisive penalty
Why it’s one of the greatest football matches ever
It was Liverpool’s fifth European Cup and it turned Gerrard into a legend. The game is the reference point for every comeback since, and the reason fans say a match is never over at half-time.
More classic football matches
- Man City 3-2 QPR: Agüero’s 93:20 Title Winner, 2012
- Liverpool 4-0 Barcelona: The Anfield Comeback, 2019 Champions League Semi-Final
- Barcelona 6-1 PSG: La Remontada, 2017 Champions League
See all 40 on our list of the greatest matches ever, or catch up on this season on the latest highlights page.
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