Manchester United Wins Champions League

Club Achieves Rare Double, Squeaks Past Chelsea

Withstanding overtime, rain and a mistake by its star midfielder, Christiano Ronaldo, Manchester United outlasted Chelsea 6-5 on penalty kicks to win the UEFA Champions League final in Moscow.

Kicking third in the penalty phase, Ronaldo inexplicably slowed up on his run before ultimately striking the ball. Chelsea's goaltender, Petr Cech, made the stop, giving Chelsea a formidable advantage. Unfortunately for Chelsea, Nicolas Anelka's failed to score with his kick, forcing a continuance. Anelka's shot would have given his team the win. Chelsea's next kick decided matters for good when John Terry's shot sailed outside the right post.

Ronaldo's day wasn't a complete disaster. He scored a header in the 26th minute, giving his team a 1-0 lead. Playing aggressive, Manchester looked to be in control of the match until the end of the first half. Chelsea's Frank Lampard found an opportunity for his team in injury time when Manchester's goaltender, Edwin Van Der Sar, slipped and fell on wet turf. The miscue helped Lampard score, and the game was tied going into the break.

Chelsea continued to play well after halftime, taking more shots than Manchester and forcing more corner kicks.

That momentum didn't continue though. A scuffle broke out between the teams, and several players involved themselves in the incident. Didier Drogba, a Chelsea forward, received a red card for slapping an opponent in the face, and Chelsea had to play on with only ten men. Regulation ended, and the teams played two more scoreless halves before the penalty kicks.

With the victory, Manchester United achieved a rare double, winning the English Premiership as well as the UEFA Champions League. This was the first all-English Champions League final.