MUNICH, (Reuters) – Chelsea cleared the final hurdle in a season of never-ending challenges when they beat Bayern Munich 4-3 on penalties in the German team’s Allianz Arena stadium to be crowned European Champions for the first time yesterday. In what may be the final act of his Chelsea career, Didier Drogba sealed victory in a tension-packed Champions League final with the last kick of the shootout to clinch victory after he had headed Chelsea’s equaliser two minutes from time to force a 1-1 draw and send the game to extra time.
Bayern, just as in 1999 when they lost 2-1 to Manchester United who scored two goals in stoppage time, were within touching distance of the cup thanks to an 83rd-minute header from Thomas Mueller. But history came back to haunt them as Drogba snatched victory from their grasp with a late equaliser to set up his team to victory against all the odds.
Even in extra time Bayern had a golden opportunity to seal the win but Arjen Robben’s penalty was saved by Petr Cech after Drogba fouled Franck Ribery to concede the spot kick.
