Champions of Europe

It was a match which defied all predictions as from the very first kick the game was open and full of end-to-end attacking football.

Having changed his team's shape with the inclusion of Harry Kewell, Benitez saw his side fall behind to the quickest goal in European Cup or Champions League final history.

After Djimi Traore conceded a free-kick on the right, Andrea Pirlo curled in a free-kick for Maldini to volley home unmarked with just 50 seconds on the clock.

For once it looked like Benitez had got the tactics wrong as Liverpool were continually stretched in midfield, with Milan recycling possession with ease.

They were in complete control of the match and were only denied a goal from the boot of Shevchenko thanks to a close offside decision that went in Liverpool's favour.

With six minutes to go until half-time, Milan broke from their own penalty area where Liverpool had seen claims for a penalty turned down by the Spanish referee.

A flowing team move saw the ball worked out to Shevchenko on the right flank and he squared the ball inside for Crespo to slide home from a few yards out.

It got worse for Liverpool five minutes later. They lost possession midway inside the Milan half and the superb Kaka delivered a defence-splitting pass that found Crespo again, this time the Argentinean finishing with a deft chip over Dudek.

Few people at half-time would have given the English side a hope but Benitez brought on Dietmar Hamann and suddenly the Liverpool side had a better shape to it.

Any hopes Liverpool had were reliant on an early goal and captain Gerrard provided it when he rose highest to direct a brilliant header past Dida on 53 minutes.

A minute later, the game was thrown open when Smicer worked himself some space just outside the box and then fired a low right-footed drive from 25-yards past the Brazilian.

The impossible became reality three minutes after that when Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso flicked a boot out to bring Gerrard down in the area for a penalty.

Alonso's effort was poorly hit and Dida saved only to see the Spaniard react quickest and slam the rebound into the roof of the net.

There was still time for Djimi Traore to clear a shot from off the line after a mistake from Dudek but Liverpool held on to force a shell-shocked Milan to extra-time.

A tired Liverpool didn't threaten in extra-time and were thankful to a superlative double save from Dudek to deny Shevchenko in the game's closing moments.