Chelsea Win EUROPA LEAGUE VS Benfica
After lifting the Champions League trophy in Munich in the 2011/12 season ago, Chelsea Europa League glory complete with 2012/13 in the Amsterdam ArenA on Thursday (16/5). Chelsea's Fernando Torres opened the scoring midway through the second, but could Benfica equalized through a penalty by Oscar Cardozo. Rafael Benitez's troops victory is determined by Branislav Ivanovic at the end of the game.
Without Eden Hazard and John Terry injured, Chelsea took control of the match in ten minutes early and got the best chance by kicking distance Oscar, but the direction is still straight Benfica goalkeeper.
After that, turn to Benfica, who are also eyeing inaugural trophy in this competition, which controls the game. Again and again, the short operands and a series of attacks by troops Jorge Jesus Eduardo Salvio and Nicolas Gaitan in the wings managed to trouble the Blues defense. However, up to half an hour walk game, 'thanks' finishing ahead Benfica players are not careful, the same score remained unchanged even stronger.
In the 37th minute, Benfica amid constant pressure to the line, commanded Ivanovic and Gary Cahill, Chelsea got a chance of a counter-attack that ended a hard kick Frank Lampard. Unfortunately, although goalkeeper Artur Moraes step was almost dead, his hand still brushed off the ball.
Scoreless in the first half, Benfica tried to take the initiative to attack after the break. Six minutes after the kick-off the second half sounded, the Benfica fans cheered when Cardozo's header crossing Gaitan continue nesting in goalkeeper Cech, but their joy was gone since first the linesman raised his flag for offside.
Benfica nine minutes after the disallowed goal, on 60 minutes, the deadlock was broken as well, but not by Benfica who were dominating the game, but Chelsea. Starting from the throw Cech, Juan Mata turned the ball into the path of Torres ran perfectly. The striker, who in the first half did not once take shots on target against Benfica, using his speed and power to get through before conquering Artur Luisao from a narrow angle and bring the Blues ahead 1-0.
Surprisingly conceded a goal, mental Benfica apparently did not falter. Two time European Cup champion was back on his feet and got up to fight. The result, on 68 minutes, not long since the entry of Lima and Ola John, they successfully equalized through a penalty after Cesar Azpilicueta Cardozo convicted handball referee Bjorn Kuipers in a restricted area.
Kedaan re-draw, and the game was running increasingly fierce with a faster tempo anyway. Two former Benfica player at Chelsea, Ramires and David Luiz, plays a major role helping the Blues, both in defense and attack.
One minute before the end of normal time, Chelsea came close to winning a super hard kick Lampard, but only hit the crossbar and bounced away to the outside area Benfica.
In the 3rd minute of injury time, resistance Benfica ended. Starting corner Mata, Ivanovic off a sharp header from the air, making Artur unable to move, the ball nestled in the net, and 2-1 to Chelsea in the dying seconds.
Benfica tried to reply in the remaining time available and Cardozo nearly brought the game into extra time, but no more goals were created, and Chelsea had carved a beautiful history.
Chelsea became the fourth team after Juventus, Ajax and Bayern Munich who managed to win three prestigious UEFA trophies, the Cup Winners' Cup, Champions League and Europa League.
Benitez was no less special. Spanish men are now listed as a second manager Giovanni Trapattoni could win this tournament with more than one club. The first was Benitez with Valencia in 2003/04 season ago.
The composition of players Benfica: Artur; Almeida, Luisao (yellow 61 '), Garay (yellow 45'), Melgarejo (Ola John); Perez, Matic, Gaitan, Salvio; Rodrigo (Lima 66 '), Cardozo.
Reserves: Paulo Lopes, Jardel, Andre Gomes, Aimar, Urreta, Ola John.
The composition of players Chelsea: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Ramires, Lampard, Luiz; Oscars (yellow 14 '), Mata; Torres.
Substitutes: Turnbull, Ferreira, Ake, Mikel, Marin, Benayoun, Moses.
Statistics Benfica - Chelsea (via WhoScored)
Shots: 15-12
Shots on goal: 3-5
Control of the ball: 58% - 42%
Violation: 17-18
Corner: 4-4
Offside: 1-8
Yellow cards: 2-1
Red cards: 0-0.
Benitez: It's Hard Work Results Throughout the Season
Rafael Benitez praised the performance of Chelsea after they dramatically won the Europa League after beating Benfica 2-1.
Fernando Torres opened the scoring the Blues. But Benfica hit back through Oscar Cardozo penalty. And finally Branislav Ivanovic took Chelsea to be a winner in the game after scoring in the final seconds of the game.
Benitez said he was happy with the way his players bounced back after playing less lost in the first 45 minutes.
"I think this is a remarkable performance that indicated the children in the second half. We had some problems in the first half against a very good team," said Benitez.
"We have fought and continue to put pressure on them, and in the end we deserved it because we have worked hard all season," he added proudly.