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14 years ago today, John Terry slipped at the worst possible moment and cost Chelsea victory in the 2008 Champions League final against Manchester United.
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In 2008 United and Chelsea had battled all the way until the final day of the Premier League season to decide the English champions, with United just coming out on top.
10 days later the two sides met in Moscow, Russia, in the Champions League final to decide who would be European champions, as Chelsea chased their first such title.
A wet night in the Russian capital saw both sides unable to be separated at any point, with the sides level at half time, full time and after extra time.
Manchester United become champions for the third time, #OTD in 2008 🏆
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 21, 2022
Key moment❓#UCLfinal | #UCL pic.twitter.com/vPto7DG4ew
That meant they needed a penalty shootout to decide the game, the ninth time penalties had been needed in the final, and the Blues had to do it without Didier Drogba, after his extra time sending off.
Carlos Tevez and Michael Carrick both slotted their spot kicks home for United and Chelsea matched them with Michael Ballack and Juliano Belletti both scoring.
Cristiano Ronaldo, after a season scoring 42 goals, including one in the final, incredibly had his effort saved by Petr Cech, after his usual stuttered run up.
Frank Lampard, Owen Hargreaves, Ashley Cole and Nani all slotted home leaving the Blues needing to score their fifth and final penalty to win the title.
It would surely have been Drogba, as it would end up being in 2012 when Chelsea beat Bayern Munich, but with the Ivorian off the pitch up stepped Terry...
⏪ 2008 final penalty shoot-out...
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) May 21, 2021
🔴 Relive the drama in Moscow as Manchester United won their 3rd European Cup 🏆@ManUtd | #UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/AfS5D36GGk
Terry's incredibly dramatic miss, caused by the pouring conditions in the Russian capital, took the shootout to sudden death and gave United hope.
Anderson, on in injury time in extra time and having not touched the ball, scored the first spot kick in injury time before Salomon Kalou again levelled things up.
Ryan Giggs made it 6-5 and then former Manchester City, Liverpool and Arsenal striker Nicolas Anelka stepped up but his penalty was saved by Edwin van der Sar to crown United as European champions for the third time and double winners.
An all-English classic between Man Utd and Chelsea 🍿
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) May 21, 2022
✈️ Ronaldo's header
😅 Lampard's leveller
🤬 Drogba's red
😢 Terry's slip
🙌 Van der Sar's save
📅 OTD in 2008, we witnessed a nail-biting, dramatic and unforgettable night in Moscow!#UCLfinal pic.twitter.com/dv8sui7ZuA
The London club have actually won in Europe's top club competition twice since that night in Russia, whereas United have only managed to fail in two finals.
Chelsea first won it four years after the all English final, beating Bayern on their home ground, but there was less for Terry to celebrate on that night.
The former centre back got sent off in the semi final against Barcelona, for a stupid kick, and was suspended for the final, getting mocked for wearing his full kit to lift the trophy.
They doubled their Champions League victories with a win in another all English final last year, as they beat Pep Guardiola's Manchester City.
Featured Image Credit: PA
Topics: John Terry, Chelsea, Manchester United, Premier League, Champions League
