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Benfica v Chelsea
Rafael Benitez's reign as Chelsea's interim manager will end in triumph after Branislav Ivanovic's injury-time header won the Europa League final against Benfica in Amsterdam.
Benitez has proved an unpopular appointment with Chelsea's supporters but they were celebrating wildly in the Amsterdam Arena as they added this trophy to the Champions League won last season.
Fernando Torres scored against the run of play to put Chelsea ahead on the hour but Oscar Cardozo's penalty deservedly drew Benfica level.
Benitez joins multiple winners
Chelsea's triumph means Rafael Benitez becomes only the fourth manager to win the Uefa Cup/Europa League more than once. Others to have achieved that feat are:
- Giovanni Trapattoni: 1977 (Juventus); 1991 (Inter); 1993 (Juventus)
- Luis Molowny: 1985 & 1986 (Real Madrid)
- Juande Ramos: 2006 & 2007 (Sevilla)
Blues keeper Petr Cech saved superbly from Cardozo and Frank Lampard struck the woodwork in a dramatic conclusion before Ivanovic - suspended for last year's Champions League final - rose to meet Juan Mata's corner deep into stoppage time to prompt a subdued clenched-fist celebration from Benitez.
It was a night when Chelsea rode their luck for periods against their Portuguese opponents but the sheer grit and resilience shown in grinding out this win in their 68th game of the season is a tribute to their reserves of character.
As for Benitez, he will leave Stamford Bridge following Sunday's final Premier League game against Everton a satisfied - and probably in-demand - manager after guiding the west Londoners into next season's Champions League and claiming a major trophy after succeeding Roberto Di Matteo in November.
Benfica, with their greatest ever player Eusebio watching from the stands, were attempting to lift their European curse and end a 51-year barren sequence but have now lost seven successive European finals, many of their players slumping to the turf in tears at the final whistle.
Chelsea, with Eden Hazard already out with a hamstring injury, also had to do without captain John Terry for a second successive European final after he failed to recover from the ankle problem he sustained at Aston Villa.
Analysis
"Rafael Benitez managed the squad and the players look like they're together. That stems from the manager and he's galvanised that squad. There's a will about the team. He deserves credit and it's a shame that some people want to tear that page out of the history books because of something he said a long time ago."
The inspiration of Hazard was sorely missed in a lifeless first half from Chelsea, when they were only spared by Benfica's tendency to over-elaborate and their dreadful finishing.
Nicolas Gaitan, in particular, was a culprit when he twice shot wildly off target after Benfica's precise approach play had opened up Chelsea at the back.
Torres took a knock early on and his struggles were made even more acute by a lack of support in midfield, where former Chelsea midfield man Nemanja Matic, who went to Benfica as part of the David Luiz deal, was impressive.
For all Benfica's possession and superiority, it was their goalkeeper Artur who had to make the half's outstanding save. The keeper, prone to occasional moments of eccentricity, did brilliantly to change direction and palm Lampard's swerving shot to safety.
The pattern continued in the second half and the dangerous Cardozo thought he had made Benfica's deserved breakthrough after 50 minutes, but his header from Gaitan's cross was ruled out for offside.
Chelsea captain John Terry - unable to play because of injury - poses for photos with the Europa League trophy
Chelsea took the lead against the run of play just before the hour, but it was a moment of vintage Torres that provided it. He showed pace and body strength to escape the attentions of Ezequiel Garay and Luisao before rounding Artur to score from the tightest of angles.
The lead lasted only nine minutes. Benfica drew level from the spot after Cesar Azpilicueta handled Eduardo Salvio's header, Cardozo scoring emphatically.
It required superb athleticism from Cech to prevent Cardozo putting Benfica in front with nine minutes left, the keeper at full stretch to turn his dipping 20-yard shot over the bar.
Lampard came even closer with only three minutes left when his 20-yard drive beat Artur but bounced back out to safety off the bar.
Chelsea had one last chance deep into stoppage time and Ivanovic produced a towering header to win the Europa League.
Lineup, Bookings (3) & Substitutions (3)
Benfica
- 01 Artur
- 04 Luisao Booked
- 24 Garay Booked (Jardel - 78' )
- 25 Melgarejo (Ola John - 66' )
- 20 Gaitan
- 21 Matic
- 34 Almeida
- 35 Perez
- 07 Cardozo
- 18 Eduardo Salvio
- 19 Moreno (Lima - 65' )
Substitutes
- 13 Paulo Lopes
- 33 Jardel
- 10 Aimar
- 15 Ola John
- 89 Gomes
- 11 Lima
- 23 Urretaviscaya
Chelsea
- 01 Cech
- 02 Ivanovic
- 03 Cole
- 04 Luiz
- 24 Cahill
- 28 Azpilicueta
- 07 Ramires
- 08 Lampard
- 10 Mata
- 11 Oscar Booked
- 09 Torres
Substitutes
- 22 Turnbull
- 19 Ferreira
- 12 Mikel
- 13 Moses
- 21 Marin
- 30 Benayoun
- 57 Ake
Live Text Commentary
Full Time The referee brings the game to a close.
90:00 +2:18The assist for the goal came from Juan Mata.
90:00 +2:18 Goal scoredGoal! - Branislav Ivanovic - Benfica 1 - 2 Chelsea Branislav Ivanovic grabs a headed goal from close range. Benfica 1-2 Chelsea.
90:00 +2:16Inswinging corner taken by Juan Mata from the right by-line,
90:00 +0:49The referee gives a free kick against Oscar Cardozo for handball. Petr Cech takes the indirect free kick.
89:59Free kick awarded for a foul by Fernando Torres on Enzo Perez. Guilherme Artur Moraes takes the direct free kick.
89:37The ball is delivered by Eduardo Salvio, Anderson Luisao takes a shot. Blocked by Ashley Cole.
88:08Shot from deep inside the area by Rodrigo Lima clears the bar.
87:51Frank Lampard takes a shot.
86:30Gary Cahill challenges Ola John unfairly and gives away a free kick. Centre by Nicolas Gaitan, Oscar Cardozo takes a shot. Petr Cech makes a comfortable save.
86:13Cesar Azpilicueta takes a shot. Save by Guilherme Artur Moraes.
85:36Emboaba Oscar fouled by Andre Almeida, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Emboaba Oscar.
84:59Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on David Luiz by Enzo Perez. Gary Cahill restarts play with the free kick.
84:23Inswinging corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata, Gary Cahill produces a header from inside the area that goes over the crossbar.
84:05Nascimento Ramires takes a shot. Blocked by Anderson Luisao.
81:58Eduardo Salvio delivers the ball, blocked by Ashley Cole. Corner taken right-footed by Eduardo Salvio from the right by-line, Header from deep inside the area by Vieira Jardel goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
81:26Inswinging corner taken right-footed by Ola John from the left by-line.
81:05Oscar Cardozo takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.
80:36Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nicolas Gaitan by Nascimento Ramires. Direct free kick taken by Guilherme Artur Moraes.
78:56The assistant referee signals for offside against Nascimento Ramires. Free kick taken by Guilherme Artur Moraes.
Free kick awarded for a foul by Oscar Cardozo on Gary Cahill. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.
77:09 SubstitutionSubstitution Vieira Jardel on for Ezequiel Garay.
74:07Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Nascimento Ramires by Nemanja Matic. Juan Mata takes the free kick.
71:47Ola John concedes a free kick for a foul on Cesar Azpilicueta. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.
70:57A cross is delivered by Nascimento Ramires.
69:33Nascimento Ramires is caught offside. Guilherme Artur Moraes restarts play with the free kick.
68:44A cross is delivered by Emboaba Oscar, save by Guilherme Artur Moraes.
67:19 Goal scoredGoal! - Oscar Cardozo - Benfica 1 - 1 Chelsea Penalty taken left-footed by Oscar Cardozo and scored. Benfica 1-1 Chelsea.
66:19Handball by Cesar Azpilicueta.
64:40David Luiz has an effort direct from the free kick.
64:40 SubstitutionSubstitution Ola John replaces Lorenzo Melgarejo.
64:40 SubstitutionSubstitution Rodrigo Lima is brought on as a substitute for Moreno Rodrigo.
64:40Free kick awarded for a foul by Enzo Perez on David Luiz.
63:38Nemanja Matic concedes a free kick for a foul on Emboaba Oscar. Petr Cech takes the direct free kick.
62:37Free kick awarded for a foul by Nascimento Ramires on Nemanja Matic. Nemanja Matic takes the direct free kick.
60:59Juan Mata produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
60:59 BookingBooking Anderson Luisao goes into the referee's book.
60:54Fernando Torres fouled by Anderson Luisao, the ref awards a free kick.
58:57Assist by Juan Mata.
58:57 Goal scoredGoal! - Fernando Torres - Benfica 0 - 1 Chelsea Fernando Torres finds the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box low into the middle of the goal. Benfica 0-1 Chelsea.
58:48Moreno Rodrigo takes a shot. Save made by Petr Cech.
57:17The ball is sent over by Juan Mata, save by Guilherme Artur Moraes.
57:08The ball is delivered by Juan Mata, clearance made by Anderson Luisao.
56:28Fernando Torres challenges Enzo Perez unfairly and gives away a free kick. Nemanja Matic takes the free kick.
56:10Juan Mata produces a cross, Guilherme Artur Moraes makes a comfortable save.
55:42Corner taken left-footed by Juan Mata from the right by-line, Anderson Luisao makes a clearance.
55:03Nascimento Ramires is caught offside. Free kick taken by Lorenzo Melgarejo.
53:58Unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Anderson Luisao results in a free kick. Juan Mata delivers the ball from the free kick left-footed from left wing, clearance by Ezequiel Garay.
52:55Cesar Azpilicueta delivers the ball.
52:08Nascimento Ramires is ruled offside. Guilherme Artur Moraes takes the indirect free kick.
51:11Juan Mata fouled by Andre Almeida, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick taken by Juan Mata.
50:35Oscar Cardozo is ruled offside. Free kick taken by Petr Cech.
50:07Corner taken by Nicolas Gaitan from the right by-line to the near post, clearance made by Frank Lampard.
49:49A cross is delivered by Oscar Cardozo, clearance by Cesar Azpilicueta.
48:59Nicolas Gaitan has an effort at goal from just outside the area which goes wide of the left-hand post.
48:15Lorenzo Melgarejo fouled by Nascimento Ramires, the ref awards a free kick. Free kick crossed left-footed by Lorenzo Melgarejo, clearance made by Frank Lampard.
47:46Oscar Cardozo fouled by Branislav Ivanovic, the ref awards a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Andre Almeida.
45:52Nicolas Gaitan crosses the ball, clearance by Gary Cahill.
45:07Ashley Cole gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Eduardo Salvio. Free kick taken by Enzo Perez.
45:01The referee gets the second half started.
45:00 +1:25 Half timeHalf Time The match has reached half-time.
45:00 +0:37Strike on goal comes in from Frank Lampard from the free kick.
45:00 +0:37 BookingBooking Ezequiel Garay goes into the referee's book.
45:00 +0:20Ezequiel Garay gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Emboaba Oscar.
44:32The assistant referee flags for offside against Cesar Azpilicueta. Lorenzo Melgarejo takes the free kick.
43:56A cross is delivered by Nascimento Ramires, Ezequiel Garay makes a clearance.
43:24Centre by Nicolas Gaitan, save made by Petr Cech.
41:47Short corner taken by Eduardo Salvio.
41:24Enzo Perez delivers the ball, Oscar Cardozo takes a shot. Blocked by Gary Cahill.
40:32The referee blows for offside against Fernando Torres. Guilherme Artur Moraes restarts play with the free kick.
40:18A cross is delivered by Juan Mata.
40:04The referee blows for offside against Juan Mata. Ezequiel Garay takes the free kick.
38:02Corner taken by Juan Mata from the right by-line played to the near post, clearance by Oscar Cardozo.
37:40Frank Lampard takes a shot. Fantastic save by Guilherme Artur Moraes.
37:21Emboaba Oscar produces a cross, Ezequiel Garay manages to make a clearance.
34:16Nicolas Gaitan fouled by Cesar Azpilicueta, the ref awards a free kick. The free kick is swung in left-footed by Nicolas Gaitan, Frank Lampard manages to make a clearance.
32:53Nicolas Gaitan takes a shot from just inside the penalty box which clears the bar.
32:12Foul by Moreno Rodrigo on David Luiz, free kick awarded. David Luiz restarts play with the free kick.
30:16Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Enzo Perez by Branislav Ivanovic. Strike on goal comes in from Oscar Cardozo from the free kick.
28:07Enzo Perez produces a cross, clearance made by David Luiz.
26:20Shot from 25 yards by Emboaba Oscar. Guilherme Artur Moraes makes a save.
24:07Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Fernando Torres by Ezequiel Garay. Juan Mata crosses the ball in from the free kick, Guilherme Artur Moraes makes a save.
21:54Unfair challenge on Emboaba Oscar by Andre Almeida results in a free kick. Free kick crossed by Juan Mata, Ezequiel Garay manages to make a clearance.
21:25Nicolas Gaitan gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on David Luiz. David Luiz restarts play with the free kick.
19:41Lorenzo Melgarejo fouled by Nascimento Ramires, the ref awards a free kick. Lorenzo Melgarejo restarts play with the free kick.
17:27Foul by David Luiz on Enzo Perez, free kick awarded. Direct free kick taken by Anderson Luisao.
16:34Nascimento Ramires challenges Nemanja Matic unfairly and gives away a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Nemanja Matic.
15:48Free kick awarded for a foul by Nascimento Ramires on Nemanja Matic. Nemanja Matic takes the direct free kick.
14:42The ball is sent over by Enzo Perez, Gary Cahill makes a clearance.
13:29Direct free kick taken by Oscar Cardozo.
13:29 BookingBooking Emboaba Oscar goes into the referee's book for unsporting behaviour.
13:24Free kick awarded for a foul by Emboaba Oscar on Enzo Perez.
12:31Free kick awarded for a foul by David Luiz on Nemanja Matic. Nemanja Matic restarts play with the free kick.
11:49Effort on goal by Nicolas Gaitan from inside the penalty area goes harmlessly over the bar.
10:41Oscar Cardozo takes a shot. Branislav Ivanovic gets a block in. Nicolas Gaitan takes a shot. Blocked by Ashley Cole.
8:44The official flags Fernando Torres offside. Direct free kick taken by Lorenzo Melgarejo.
5:26Nemanja Matic gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Nascimento Ramires. Free kick taken by David Luiz.
1:57Centre by Andre Almeida, Header from deep inside the area by Oscar Cardozo goes harmlessly over the crossbar.
0:00The referee gets the game started.
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Comments
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Comment number 1189. Posted by DrCajetanCoelho
on 17 May 2013 12:30Hearty congratulations to goal scorers Cardozo, Fernando and Ivanovic.
Thanks to footballers from Benfica and Chelsea for the memorable finals.
All the best for the season ahead.
Dr. Cajetan Coelho -
Comment number 1188. Posted by brian webster
on 17 May 2013 06:20it is ok for the Benfica Manager to say that his team played better than Chelsea but if you don't put the ball in the net no matter if you played them of the park witch they didn't how do you expect to win
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Comment number 1187. Posted by SultanA
on 16 May 2013 21:41#1186
Benfica were commanding and linking up brilliantly but their shots on goal were typical of the Continentals who aren't the BigWinners - Too much over-elaboration in the final 3rd with stray or weak pea-shooter shots that wouldn't trouble a Youth team member!
They just weren't good enough like *Barca/*Dortmund who have experience of baiting and beating the offside trap of a rigid back-4. -
Comment number 1186. Posted by RSH1989
on 16 May 2013 20:34Cannot understand why so many people including pundits and Chelsea fans feel they rode their luck at times. In terms of clear chances - strong shots on goal - there was nothing in it between the two sides; if anything Chelsea had the better chances if you include the actual goals.
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Comment number 1185. Posted by blue11
on 16 May 2013 20:181171.torn
Sack Rafa and sell Torres. Neither of them have done anything for Chelsea ......
Chelsea fans, little history, no brains!!
Its you with no brain DOH,Torres won 2 europian cups now,Benitez im SURE has won the Europa League trophy with CFC.
So who has no brain little man. -
Comment number 1184. Posted by BlueIsTheColour
on 16 May 2013 19:59Don't cry for me Benfica, the truth is you are cursed to lose..
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Comment number 1183. Posted by Malky
on 16 May 2013 19:07Nice to see Terry remember his PE kit for the 2nd year running.
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Comment number 1181. Posted by The Monk
on 16 May 2013 18:49Is everyone forgetting how that Barca player last year attacked JT's knee with his back?? And then the ref had the gall to send JT off!
It caused a recurring injury that still flares up to this day, which is why he was injured for this final so not his fault he wasn't able to play. Why shouldn't he lift the cup? -
Comment number 1180. Posted by Ziggy
on 16 May 2013 18:39@ 1179 medway. All so true. Ramires should have been subbed at half time at the latest. I don't agree with JT lifting cup last year, but he has some right this year featuring in other stages and simply being out through injury. The media hype is a joke don't know if they noticed our third choice goal keeper in full kit standing behind the trophy amongst others.
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