Champions League 2008 Semi Finals
Manchester United meet Chelsea in the 2008 Champions League Final
Following the second legs of the semi-finals, Manchester United and Chelsea will contest the 2008 Champions League final in Moscow on May 21st.
Manchester United 1 – 0 Barcelona (aggregate 1 – 0)
A 25-yard strike from midfielder Paul Scholes gave Manchester United a single goal victory over Barcelona at Old Trafford on April 29th to see them through to their first Champions League final since 1999.
His spectacular effort means United will meet Chelsea in the first all English Champions League final.
Both Wayne Rooney and Nemanja Vidic failed fitness tests prior to the game following injuries sustained in their 2-1 EPL defeat to Chelsea the previous weekend.
Spectacular Strike from Scholes
Barcelona started the game very brightly and the elusive Lionel Messi was brought down by Scholes inches outside the penalty area in the opening minutes. United survived the resultant free kick and took the lead after 14 minutes.
Gianluca Zambrotta could only partially clear and Scholes thundered the ball into the top right hand corner past Barcelona keeper Victor Valdes to score only his second goal of the season.
Messi responded with a fine run and curled left foot shot, which was palmed away by Edwin van der Sar.
Although territorially dominant, Barcelona almost conceded a second when Nani glanced a Ji-Sung Park cross narrowly wide just before the break.
United Hold Firm
The second period continued with Barcelona enjoying the majority of possession without being able to fashion clear-cut openings.
United’s Carlos Tevez brought a save from Valdes on the hour following a one-two with Cristiano Ronaldo.
Thierry Henry came on for Andrea Iniesta in an attempt to find the away goal that would take Barcelona through. Messi was still the main danger but despite his probing, the away side could not force van der Sar into action.
Their last chance fell to Henry, but he could only tamely head the ball straight at the United keeper from eight yards.
United’s defence held firm and the final whistle saw jubilant scenes at Old Trafford as Sir Alex Ferguson’s men triumphed over their Catalan visitors.
Chelsea 3 – 2 Liverpool (aggregate 4 – 3)
Two goals from Didier Drogba and a penalty from Frank Lampard gave Chelsea a thrilling extra time victory over Liverpool at Stamford Bridge on April 30th.
Drogba opened the scoring in the 33rd minute when he beat Pepe Reina at his near post after the Liverpool keeper could only palm away a Saloman Kalou shot.
Chelsea dominated the first half and Michael Ballack almost doubled the lead but his free kick from the edge of the area flew just wide.
Liverpool needed to improve and began the second half with far greater purpose. They were rewarded when the prolific Fernando Torres slid the equaliser past Petr Cech following a through ball from Yossi Benayoun.
Thrilling Extra Time
With no further goals in normal time, the game moved into what proved an incident packed extra thirty minutes.
Chelsea thought they had restored their lead but Michael Essien’s shot was ruled out for offside. However, shortly afterward a mistimed tackle by Sami Hypia on Ballack resulted in a penalty, which Frank Lampard drove into the bottom corner. On the stroke of half time in extra time, Nicolas Anleka crossed for Drogba to thunder his second of the night past Reina to give Chelsea a 3-1 lead.
Liverpool refused to succumb meekly and substitute Ryan Babel smashed into the top corner with two minutes remaining. A further goal from the visitors would have seen them through on away goals, but Chelsea hung on to book their place in the Champions League final.
All English Final
For the first time the Champions League final will be an all English affair with Manchester United and Chelsea, still battling over the EPL title, meeting in Moscow on May 21st.
Will the experience of Alex Ferguson give United the edge or can Avram Grant finally lay the ghost of Jose Mourinho and give Chelsea the title denied his predecessor? It should prove a fascinating battle in three weeks time.
Alex Ferguson
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Didier Drogba
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