On this day 2008: The first all-English Champions League final | OneFootball

English clubs dominated the Champions League during the late noughties. Between 2005 and 2012, all but one Champions League final featured at least one Premier League team.

The 2007/08 campaign was perhaps peak Premier League performance in Europe. Three English sides made it to the semi-finals, with Chelsea and Manchester United progressing to a first-ever all-English decider in Moscow.

On this day in 2008, the two teams went head-to-head in an unforgettable final. Manchester United had edged a tight title race between the teams and the Champions League final would be equally even.

Cristiano Ronaldo opened the scoring with a magnificent header, the 42nd goal of what would be his first Ballon d’Or-winning season. But Chelsea were back on terms before half-time. Frank Lampard levelled on the stroke of the interval with a dinked finish over Edwin van der Sar.

Neither side could find a breakthrough in 120 minutes, while Chelsea were reduced to 10 men late in extra-time after Didier Drogba’s red card.

United blinked first in the shootout, with Ronaldo’s effort saved by Petr Cech. John Terry had the chance to win it, but the Chelsea captain slipped on a rain-soaked Luzhniki Stadium pitch.

Sudden death saw Nicolas Anelka miss for Chelsea to crown Manchester United champions of Europe for the third time. It completed a historic double for the Red Devils, on the 40th anniversary of their first European Cup success.

Exactly 17 years on from that triumph, Manchester United take on Tottenham Hotspur in another European final this evening.

Will history repeat itself?

Read – Every time English sides have met in a European final

See more – Harry Maguire reflects on ‘amazing’ Man United comeback following tough period

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