AC Milan have avenged their defeat in the Champions League final two years ago by defeating their victors that night Liverpool 2-1 in Athens thanks to a brace from Filippo Inzaghi.
Two years ago Milan outclassed their opponents to an embarrassing extent in a one-sided first half, but in contrast Liverpool were the better team in the opening 45 minutes evening although trailed at the break.
The goal came in the final minute of the first half in fortunate circumstances as Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflected off the shoulder of Inzaghi and past the wrong-footed Jose Reina.
In the second half Liverpool hoped for a repeat of the 2005 heroics that saw them comeback from the death, but despite plenty of possession they could not find the killer ball and as they got desperate Inzaghi struck again by rounding Reina after a clever through ball from Kaka.
Liverpool responded well as they attempted mission impossible for a second time, but they did nonetheless have time to pull a goal back through Dirk Kuyt. The three minutes of stoppage time passed by without a scare for Milan, who are crowned champions of Europe for an amazing seventh time.
Rafael Benitez's side will look back on the first half when they failed to capitalise on their dominance before the break, even though they failed to muster many clear cut chances. However, they did offer plenty of attacking threat as Jermaine Pennant caused Milan's left-back Marek Jankulovski all sorts of problems, while Steven Gerrard looked capable of producing a moment of magic that has become his trademark.
Gerrard was playing in a free-role behind Kuyt as a lone striker and it was telling that at times Liverpool didn't have enough bodies in Milan's box.
It proved costly as Milan struck just before the break with what was the first time they threatened Reina's goal in the first half. Pirlo's 45th minute free-kick was not going to threaten the Spanish goalkeeper, but it struck the side of Inzaghi's body and the striker, who had not previously had a look all match, got his name on the scoresheet.
Benitez elected not to make any changes at the break as he probably felt the chance would come and it arguably did when Gerrard forced his way through, but his sidefooted shot was predictable and gathered by Dida with Kuyt lurking.
Liverpool then survived a spell when their defence fell apart as confusion from Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher threatened to gift Milan a second goal, but the Premiership outfit were lucky that the linesman flagged for offside for Inzaghi even though it was Kaka that race on to the ball and the Brazilian was definately onside.
Liverpool introduced Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch, but Milan's ageing defence stood firm despite injuries to Nesta and nervous moments from legendary Paulo Maldini.
With ten minutes left on the clock Kaka slotted the ball through the defence when many felt he was about to shoot and Inzaghi calmly rounded Reina before slotting the ball into the net and sparked celebrations that suggested Milan felt they had won the trophy.
There was still time for drama as Liverpool won a number of corners and in the 89th minute Kuyt headed into the net, although the Dutchman appeared to be offside as he did so. However, it did not matter as the final seconds ticked away before the German official blew time on the 2007 Champions League final.
While many feel AC Milan should not be in the Champions League this season, and for a time they were not, but their cast of veteran superstars have another medal to hang around their decorated necks.
Two years ago Milan outclassed their opponents to an embarrassing extent in a one-sided first half, but in contrast Liverpool were the better team in the opening 45 minutes evening although trailed at the break.
The goal came in the final minute of the first half in fortunate circumstances as Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflected off the shoulder of Inzaghi and past the wrong-footed Jose Reina.
In the second half Liverpool hoped for a repeat of the 2005 heroics that saw them comeback from the death, but despite plenty of possession they could not find the killer ball and as they got desperate Inzaghi struck again by rounding Reina after a clever through ball from Kaka.
Liverpool responded well as they attempted mission impossible for a second time, but they did nonetheless have time to pull a goal back through Dirk Kuyt. The three minutes of stoppage time passed by without a scare for Milan, who are crowned champions of Europe for an amazing seventh time.
Rafael Benitez's side will look back on the first half when they failed to capitalise on their dominance before the break, even though they failed to muster many clear cut chances. However, they did offer plenty of attacking threat as Jermaine Pennant caused Milan's left-back Marek Jankulovski all sorts of problems, while Steven Gerrard looked capable of producing a moment of magic that has become his trademark.
Gerrard was playing in a free-role behind Kuyt as a lone striker and it was telling that at times Liverpool didn't have enough bodies in Milan's box.
It proved costly as Milan struck just before the break with what was the first time they threatened Reina's goal in the first half. Pirlo's 45th minute free-kick was not going to threaten the Spanish goalkeeper, but it struck the side of Inzaghi's body and the striker, who had not previously had a look all match, got his name on the scoresheet.
Benitez elected not to make any changes at the break as he probably felt the chance would come and it arguably did when Gerrard forced his way through, but his sidefooted shot was predictable and gathered by Dida with Kuyt lurking.
Liverpool then survived a spell when their defence fell apart as confusion from Daniel Agger and Jamie Carragher threatened to gift Milan a second goal, but the Premiership outfit were lucky that the linesman flagged for offside for Inzaghi even though it was Kaka that race on to the ball and the Brazilian was definately onside.
Liverpool introduced Harry Kewell and Peter Crouch, but Milan's ageing defence stood firm despite injuries to Nesta and nervous moments from legendary Paulo Maldini.
With ten minutes left on the clock Kaka slotted the ball through the defence when many felt he was about to shoot and Inzaghi calmly rounded Reina before slotting the ball into the net and sparked celebrations that suggested Milan felt they had won the trophy.
There was still time for drama as Liverpool won a number of corners and in the 89th minute Kuyt headed into the net, although the Dutchman appeared to be offside as he did so. However, it did not matter as the final seconds ticked away before the German official blew time on the 2007 Champions League final.
While many feel AC Milan should not be in the Champions League this season, and for a time they were not, but their cast of veteran superstars have another medal to hang around their decorated necks.
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