Chelsea Clinch Dramatic Europa League Final Win in Amsterdam

Benfica 1 – 2 Chelsea
Amsterdam Arena, Amsterdam

Europa League Final, 15^th May 2013

Prior to kick off in Amsterdam for the Europa League final, loyal club servants Frank Lampard and Petr Cech urged Chelsea to ‘make history’, and that’s just what they did after brushing aside Portuguese outfit Benfica.

Goals from Fernando Torres and Branislav Ivanovic deep into added time ensured back-to-back European final wins, following last seasons Champions League victory.

The first club to achieve such a feat, holding both trophies simultaneously, albeit briefly.

The west London club joined an elite group of teams that include Ajax, Bayern Munich and Juventus, to have captured all major UEFA European trophies.

Triumphant in the Cup Winners Cup in 1971 and 1998, the blues added the Champions League in 2012.

Their Portuguese counterparts started the better, who were appearing in their first major European final in 23 years and had a hatful of first half chances, for the likes of Gaitan, Cardozo and Perez, failing to capitalise on Chelsea’s slow start.

Chelsea’s best chance came from a long range right footed drive from captain for the evening Frank Lampard, the swerving shot almost beating Benfica goalkeeper Arthur, who had to contort his body to make an outstanding save.

The start of the second half began much like the first, Benfica out of the blocks much quicker, with possession theirs early doors, Gaitan striking wide of Cechs goal with a long-range effort.

Soon after, Cardozo rose well to convert a free header but the offside flag was raised almost immediately, replays proved justification enough.

Benfica continued to have the larger portion of the possession percentages.

Despite this, Chelsea’s midfield five of Lampard, Luiz, Mata, Oscar and Ramires were beginning to knock on Benfica’s door with renewed vigour and guile.

But it was striker Fernando Torres who broke the deadlock just shy of the hour mark.

Showing good strength to evade the challenge of the experienced Brazilian centre back Luisao, before having the necessary composure to dummy the goalkeeper who hit the deck and despatched the goal with an assured finish.

Back came Benfica though and eight minutes later they were level, after being awarded a penalty following Cesar Azpilicueta’s handball, Cardozo drilling the ball down the middle, Cech no chance.

The equaliser took Cardozos goal tally against British opposition to ten, who appeared injured following despatch of the penalty kick, he returned to the field shortly after.

Benfica were the first of the two finalists to make a change, an injury to influential defender Garay forcing manager Jorge Jesus’ hand, Jardel his replacement.

The reshuffle at the back didn’t deter the Portuguese side from their ultimate goal, Cardozo the threat as ever, crafting a vivacious volley from outside the area that dipped late and needed Cechs fingertips to push it over the bar.

A trademark Lampard hit went even closer; rattling Arthurs woodwork as the shot dipped late two minutes from time.

In true Chelsea style, with the three minutes of added time almost up, good work from Ramires down the right earned the blues a corner, delivered long by Mata, a towering header produced by Ivanovic to settle the tie and win the Europa League crown.

It was in many ways, redemption for the Serbian defender, who twelve months earlier missed out on a Champions League final berth after picking up a yellow card in the semi finals that ruled him out.

On being the match winner the Serb said: ‘Great feeling, this team deserved this after a difficult season and a lot of games.’

Also as a side note, Rafa Benitez’ turbulent tenure as Chelsea manager reaped a

trophy, an achievement of which the Spaniard was proud.

‘Great performance in the second half, pleased for the players and everyone involved. I’m proud, it was not easy, really pleased really proud.’

The man who got the ball rolling for Chelsea on the night and took his goal tally for the season to 21 goals in all competition was delighted with the win:

‘Very happy, it was a hard way to get to Amsterdam, maybe Benfica deserved a bit more, individual quality made the difference.’

‘First half was not good enough, we had to change our mentality to win the Europa League.’

Finally, club record goal scorer Frank Lampard, captaining the side in John Terry’s absence through injury, praised the teams togetherness:

‘We’re a team, a little tired tonight, but the desire is in this team, you make your own luck, and stuck together and the fans.’

When asked about the rumours of a new one-year contract being on the table, the midfielder replied with genuine sincerity:

‘I really hope so, with the game tonight and the game at the weekend, we haven’t sat down properly but the clubs been brilliant.’