2012 UEFA Champions League Final - Match - Match Summary

Match Summary

Bayern Munich had control for most of the match, with Robben having the best chance, which Čech deflected onto the frame of the goal with his legs. Chelsea, however, also had chances, with Kalou nearly finishing at the near post. Bayern kept pushing Chelsea to the limit but missed sitters from Gómez, who sent his shot over the bar; and Robben, who was blocked at the last second by Gary Cahill. Bayern took the lead in the 83rd minute, when Toni Kroos crossed in to Müller, who headed the ball down into the ground, causing it to bounce over Čech and in off the crossbar. Bayern took Müller off and replaced him with Daniel van Buyten in an attempt to shore up the defence, but on 88 minutes Didier Drogba was first to a Juan Mata corner and powered a header past Neuer for the equaliser. Chelsea won a free kick just outside the area in the 93rd minute, but Drogba smashed it over. The game went to extra time. The first good chance of extra time was when Olić inside the box passed to Gómez but his shot was wide. Later, Drogba fouled Ribery in the box, injuring him and earning Bayern a penalty. Robben's shot was weak and kept out by Čech. In the second half of extra time, Olic attempted to set up van Buyten instead of taking a shot and the ball rolled wide of Čech's far post.

A penalty shoot-out decided the game. Lahm went first and put the ball to Čech's left. Čech got his fingertips to the ball but was unable to keep it out. Mata took Chelsea's first penalty and his weak shot was saved by Neuer. Next was Gómez, who drilled his shot into the bottom right corner. David Luiz took Chelsea's second penalty and buried it in the top corner. Goalkeeper Neuer took Bayern's third penalty. Čech guessed correctly but Neuer's low shot crept past him into the bottom left corner. Lampard was next and he smashed it up the middle. Olić was next, but Čech saved to his left. Ashley Cole put his kick into the far right corner just out of Neuer's reach, leveling the scores at 3-3 and hastening sudden death. Schweinsteiger took Bayern's next penalty, but his effort was tipped onto the post by Cech, leaving Chelsea one kick away from winning the trophy. Didier Drogba sent Neuer the wrong way and put his kick into the bottom left corner to win it for Chelsea. It proved to be his final kick as a Chelsea player.

Read more about this topic:  2012 UEFA Champions League Final, Match

Famous quotes containing the words match and/or summary:

    Auden, MacNeice, Day Lewis, I have read them all,
    Hoping against hope to hear the authentic call . . .
    And know the explanation I must pass is this
    MYou cannot light a match on a crumbling wall.
    Hugh MacDiarmid (1892–1978)

    I have simplified my politics into an utter detestation of all existing governments; and, as it is the shortest and most agreeable and summary feeling imaginable, the first moment of an universal republic would convert me into an advocate for single and uncontradicted despotism. The fact is, riches are power, and poverty is slavery all over the earth, and one sort of establishment is no better, nor worse, for a people than another.
    George Gordon Noel Byron (1788–1824)