Chelsea Won the Europa League on Branislav Ivanovic's Header in Stoppage Time [Video]
By Mike Cardillo
Branislav Ivanovic’s looping header in the third minute of stoppage time lifted Chelsea to a 2-1 victory over Benfica in the Europa League final Wednesday.
Chelsea is now the first club to hold both major European soccer trophies at the same time, having won the Champions League last May. This year’s Champions League final will be played on May 26, so Chelsea will get to horde both titles for the next week or so. Whether or not interim Blues’ coach Rafa Benitez is still around by then is anyone’s guess.
Fernando Torres scored the first goal of the match early in the second half. Benfica’s Oscar Cardoza equalized from the penalty spot. The game seemed destined for extra time, until Ivanovic jumped up to nod in Juan Mata’s corner into the opposite corner of the net over the head of Benfica keeper Artur Moraes.
Benfica nearly tied it after the restart, but a great defensive play by Chelsea’s Gary Cahill denied Cardoza on a scramble in front of the goal.
Once again John Terry didn’t play in a European final but donned his full uniform and lifted a trophy over his head. Life isn’t fair, is it?
This Benfica fan’s reaction probably represents how all non-Chelsea fans feel at this moment.
Ugh.
[GIF via 101GG]