Top 5 memorable matches in the Champions League era

#1: AC Milan 3-3 Liverpool (Pen 2-3) (Final, 2004-05)

Liverpool's captain Steven Gerrard with the 2004-05 Champions League trophy

This match is rightly dubbed as "The magical night of Istanbul". This year's finalists Liverpool last European glory came in the year 2005 when Rafa Benitez and Co. overturned a three-goal deficit in the finals of the Champions League to win the Cup for the fifth time in their history.

Fifty seconds into the match, Andrea Pirlo's cross met an unmarked Paolo Maldini who beat Dudek to hand Liverpool the worst possible start to the final. Hernan Crespo scored the second 6 minutes from half-time when Shevchenko released the ball to him after a brilliant run, and added a third just before the interval, scoring through a timely chip from a beautiful pass by Kaka.

Liverpool looked all set to be blown apart in the second half had it not been for the 54th minute header by Gerrard, which brought the Reds back into the game. Smicer scored through a grounded 25-yard shot two minutes later, and Xabi Alonso completed a stunning turnaround in the 60th minute when he scored the rebound from his own missed penalty.

Liverpool held on in the remaining 30 minutes and in the extra time, thanks to a fantastic performance by Dudek. The match went to penalties with 3-3 on the board. Serginho missed the first penalty, while Hamman scored for Liverpool. Dudek saved the second spot-kick, taken by Pirlo, and Djibril Cisse made it 2-0 in favour of the Reds by scoring his penalty. The third round saw Tomasson scoring for Milan, while Riise missed for Liverpool. Kaka and Smicer scored their respective penalties to make it 3-2 in favour of Liverpool. Shevchenko had to score from the last kick to keep Milan in contention, but saw his effort saved by Dudek, giving Liverpool a fairytale story to remember for ages.

AC Milan:

Squad: Dida, Cafu, Maldini, Stam, Nesta, Gattuso (Rui Costa 112), Seedorf (Serginho 86), Pirlo, Kaka, Shevchenko, Crespo (Tomasson 85).

Goals: Maldini (1), Crespo (39, 44).

Liverpool:

Squad: Dudek, Finnan (Hamann 46), Traore, Hyypia, Carragher, Riise, Gerrard, Luis Garcia, Alonso, Kewell (Smicer 23), Baros (Cisse 85).

Goals: Gerrard (54), Smicer (56), Alonso (60).

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