The stage was set. 2 of England's and indeed, 2 of Europe's finest doing battle in the grounds of Moscow. United, 50 years on the tragedy of Munich, and 40 years since their 1st European win, were playing a spirited Chelsea determined to get one back after losing out on the Premiership title 10 days before.
The first 15 minutes of the game were scrappy and cagey but it was United which got into rhythm and settled better. Sir Alex started with Rooney and Tevez and surprisingly Hargreaves as a right-winger allowing Ronaldo on the left. It must have taken Avram Grant by surprise to see an unusual Utd formation and team sheet.
But United kept pressing and were undoubtedly the dominant team in the first half playing enterprising football and Ronaldo bamboozling Essien at RB. It was Ronaldo who headed brilliantly from Brown's cross into Petr Cech's right corner. Ronaldo's 8th goal in Europe this season and 42nd in an astonishing season for the Reds.
United were close to a 2nd soon after when Rooney brilliantly won the ball at RB and looped a 60 yard pass to Ronaldo on the left. The Portuguese star controlled the ball deftly staving off 2 Chelsea players' challenges and crossed only for Tevez to head straight to Cech. The ball fell kindly for Carrick but he too drilled it straight at Cech. United could have rued these opportunities to put the game beyond their rivals.
Chelsea tried to respond but their equaliser came in the form of a series of deflections and Lampard being at the right place to knock the ball home. It was a lift before the end of the first half.
For the neutral, it was perhaps the right tonic to even up the game. The second half was strewn with Chelsea pushing in numbers and Ballack, Lampard dominated midfield a lot more.
Despite the many chances both sides created, it remained level and headed into extra-time. A moment of madness saw Drogba seeing red for slapping Vidic. It was reminiscent of a certain Zidane 2 years ago as well as the moments that ensued.
Sudden death: With all players tucking away their spot-kicks, it was Ronaldo who drew the first keeper save. Up came John Terry to kick Chelsea to euphoria, but oh, he slipped and sent the ball flying right.
Despair for Terry, lifeline for United.
Subs Giggs, Nani and Anderson all won their kicks and it was left to Anelka to keep it alive. But an inspired van der Saar saved it and with it lifted Manchester United to a third title.
No one can begrudge them for winning this title. In the end, they were unbeaten this campaign and played the best football. It's such a fine line between winning and losing - and perhaps with Chelsea having that luck last month at Stamford bridge in the league, and also winning the FA Cup last year from United - only fitting that the winner was football. It could also show the world how strong Premiership football is at the moment.
Congrats Man Utd! On to Euro 2008!
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