Thursday, May 16, 2013

Chelsea won the Europa League riding on Ivanovic’s last gasp header, beating Benfica by 2-1 margin.



                

            Brainslav Ivanovic has won the Europa League final for Chelsea with his stoppage time header against Portuguese side Benfica in a match which Chelsea won by 2-1 margin at Amsterdam Arena lastnight.
                 The entire first half was dominated by the Portuguese side, they should have put the match in their pocket during that period easily but failed to convert repeatedly few easiest of chances.
                 Chelsea got their first positive chance in the 44th minute of the game while Frank Lampard tested the Benfica custodian Artur with a long ranger sitter from the right side of the box but this time Arthur averted the danger with a handy save in a spectacular style.
                  The first half ended in a goalless stalemate.
                   From the beginning of the second half Chelsea started to counter due to that Fernando Torres put them 1-0 up on 59th minute of the game as he ran clean through the Benfica defence from Petr Cech’s impressive long throw to round the goal keeper and slot home.
                   Just after that goal Benfica introduced 2 fresh legs to put pressure on Chelsea defence, got their dividends soon while after exchanging a one-two with Cardozo, Lima looked to
flick the ball past Azpilicueta only to see the right-back block with his hand.
                   The Dutch referee Bjorn Kuipers pointed towards the spot & the Paraguayan international Oscar Cardozo didn’t make any mess to slot the ball inside the net which levelled the game.
                   After that goal both the sides had their chances but failed to utilise.
                   When everybody thought the match is going to extra-time then in the third and final minute of added time, Ivanovic rose at the back post following a corner from right side headed the ball inside the net with Artur rooted to the spot,   secured the victory for Chelsea.
                   With this continental tournament victory Chelsea could have salvaged their pride after their early exit from this
year’s Champions League & coincidently after last year’s Champions League trophy John Terry once again picked up a trophy despite taking no part in the game.
                   Chelsea is the first English club to clinch the glory of winning three main European trophies - Champions League, European Cup Winners’ Cup and now Europa League.

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