The 71 editions of the Champions League (European Champion Clubs’ Cup up to 1992), have produced some epic finals - games flipped on their heads or decided in the dying moments. The 2005 final between AC Milan and Liverpool was arguably the most thrilling in the tournament’s seven- decade history.

Milan went into the game as the big favorites. With Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, they had been crowned European champions two years previously (in a much less memorable final). A team packed with big name stars - Kaká, Crespo, Shevchenko, Pirlo, Maldini, Milan had breezed through the group stage, losing just once (to Barcelona in matchday 4), before seeing off Manchester United, Inter and PSV Eindhoven on their way to the final.

Liverpool in contrast were a team still in construction, having been assembled a few months earlier by new manager Rafa Benítez. Summer arrivals included Xabi Alonso, Djibril Cissé, Luis García, Antonio Núñez, Josemi... while Kop idol Michael Owen was allowed to leave, joining Real Madrid for $13.5 million.

While no one would deny Liverpool’s pedigree in UEFA competition, this was only the Reds’ third appearances in the Champions League since the infamous 1985 final against Juventus. And Benítez’s team rode their luck to the limit getting to the final.

They needed to win the final group game at home to Olympiacos by two goals to advance on goal difference. A Luis Garcia wonderstrike was just enough to settle the quarter final against Juve and the Spaniard was decisive again in the semis - his “did it or didn’t it cross the line” winner decided an incredibly close tie against Mourinho’s Chelsea.

So it’s safe to say the “smart money” was on Milan in the final in Istanbul. Or maybe not.

A goal down in the first minute

Benítez’s team had a disastrous start. Just 50 seconds into the game, Milan won a free-kick on the right, just outside Liverpool’s penalty area. Pirlo whipped the ball for Maldini, completely unmarked and untracked, to volley through a sea of players and past Dudek.

Shevchenko and Crespo continued to menace for Milan while Liverpool did what they could to get back into the game. On 21 minutes, Benítez was dealt another setback - Harry Kewell, a surprise selection, pulled up injured and was replaced by Smicer.

Crespo turned in a Shevchenko cross to make it 2-0 on 38 minutes, then added a third, finishing off a lightning break. At half-time, Ancelotti’s team were 3-0 up and it looked very much like game over. Elated, the Milan players swaggered off to the dressing room. At this point, the Italians, and practically everyone else, thought they had the game sewn up. The big question was how many goals Liverpool might end up losing by - six? seven?

As the two teams returned for the second half, Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard ushered his players to form a huddle while fans defiantly roared “You’ll Never Walk Alone” from the stands. Ancelotti looked on from the bench in disbelief. Here is a team 3-0 down in a major European final with another 45 minutes to play and the fans are singing their hearts out.

Benitez’s Liverpool turn the tables on Milan

The next 45 minutes were an emotional rollercoaster ride that no one could see coming. Eight minutes after the restart, Gerrard glanced in a Riise cross to make it 3-1. At the very least, Liverpool had a consolation goal. The captain urged fans to make even more noise.

Just two minutes later, Smicer decided to try his luck with a shot from outside the box. Dida saw it just too late as the ball swerved underneath him and inside the post. In just 10 minutes, Liverpool were back in it.

Then, right on the hour mark, Liverpool won a penalty. Gerrard was brought down by Gattuso. Xabi Alonso stepped up to take it. His low effort was expertly placed but Dida guessed correctly and just got a hand to it. Xavi was first to the rebound and slammed the ball high inside the net. An hour on the clock and from 3-0 it was suddenly 3-3. No team has ever managed to come back from a three-goal deficit in any European final before or since.

That was the moment when Milan’s players had the stark realization that they could actually lose the game. For Liverpool, it was the complete opposite - they could feel the football gods smiling down on them. The final was now theirs to win.

At 3-3, both teams understandably became more cagey, chances on goal were far fewer and it ended level on full-time. There would be another half and hour of extra-time - and more drama. With little more than three minutes left on the clock, Dudek somehow managed to deny Sheva twice in quick succession - first, by parrying a bullet header then blocking the follow-up from point-blank range.

Tension and nerves in the shootout

The final would be decided from the penalty spot - Milan the first team to take. Serginho blazed his spot-kick over and Dudek saved Pirlo’s. Riise was the only Liverpool player to miss - his effort was superbly tipped around the post by Dida, but when Smicer converted, the onus was on Shevchenko to score Milan’s fifth penalty to take it to sudden death. He sent his shot straight at the keeper - Liverpool had defied all the odds, bounced back when all seemed lost, won the shootout 2-4 and lifted their fifth European crown.

Surreal night in Istanbul

“My team played exceptionally well - probably the best performance of any of my teams - I’m talking about the first half, of course,” Ancelotti would recall. “What happened afterwards is difficult to explain”.

Liverpool players were equally in disbelief. How events unfolded that night at Atatürk Olympic stadium is beyond comprehension and the 2005 final remains one of the greatest in terms of sheer drama and excitement.

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