FC Chelsea Crowned European Champions 2012

English club FC Chelsea 'finally' won the UEFA Champions League at the Allianz-Arena, München, Germany after beating FC Bayern Munich 4-3 in a thrilling penalty shoot-out on May 19, 2012. The match had ended 1-1 after the full allotted time.

Bayern had most the possessions during the match but were extremely wasteful in front of goal. Chelsea played the counter attacking game with only Didier Drogba up-front. Thomas Muller finally broke Chelsea resistance in the 83rd minute with a header past the outstanding Petr Cech but Drogba, possibly playing his last game in Chelsea’s shirt, brought the Blues back from the dead with a powerful header two minutes from time to send the final into extra time. Bayern had a penalty in the extra time after a silly foul by Drogba on Ribery but Arjen Robben soft kick was saved by Petr Cech sending the tie into a penalty shoot-out.

In the shootout, Petr Cech was the “hero” for the Blues saving penalties from Olic and Schweinsteiger after Jaun Mata's kick was saved by Manuel Neuer. In the end, Didier Drogba rightfully scored the decisive goal in the shootout from 12 yards to send the 2011-12 Champions League trophy to Stamford Bridge.

This is Chelsea first Champions League title, four years after losing in a shootout to Manchester United in Moscow.