MX23RW : Saturday, May 14 06:26:33| >> :120:29756:29756:

On This Day: Luis Garcia sends Liverpool to Champions League final

On This Day: Luis Garcia sends Liverpool to Champions League final
© Reuters
Luis Garcia scored against Chelsea to book the Reds their place in the memorable Champions League final against AC Milan.

A disputed Luis Garcia goal booked Liverpool's passage to the Champions League final as they beat Chelsea 1-0 on this day in 2005.

After a goalless first leg, the second meeting at Anfield was settled in controversial fashion with Garcia scoring just five minutes in.

Steven Gerrard flicked on John Arne Riise's pass into the path of Milan Baros, who knocked it over the out-rushing Petr Cech but went down under the challenge of his fellow Czech Republic international team-mate.

Soccer – UEFA Champions League – Semi-Final – Second Leg – Liverpool v Chelsea – Anfield
Garcia's goal came in front of the Kop at Anfield (Martin Rickett/PA)

The ball fell for Garcia to apply the finishing touch as William Gallas scrambled to block his shot.

Chelsea appealed that the ball never crossed the line and replays proved inconclusive, but the goal was given and Liverpool were bound for Istanbul, much to the disgust of Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho.

"The best team lost," the Portuguese said after the match.

"The linesman thought they scored one goal and we didn't score, so we lost.

"I don't want to criticise them but they played the way they want; they fought and fought and fought. Of course we are disappointed, but I am very proud of my players."

Whether or not there was a slice of fortune in it for Liverpool, they made the most of their opportunity.

Three weeks later, in one of the most dramatic Champions League finals, Rafa Benitez's side recovered from 3-0 down to beat AC Milan in a penalty shoot-out, lifting the European Cup for the fifth time in the club's history.

ID:445837: cacheID:445837:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:5082:
Restore Data
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Chelsea's Mason Mount goes down injured against Fulham in the Premier League on May 1, 2021
Read Next:
Chelsea suffer Mason Mount injury scare ahead of Real Madrid clash
>

rhs 2.0
Todays Game Header Right
Championship
FA Cup
Scottish Premiership
La Liga
Serie A
Bundesliga
Ligue 1
Primeira Liga
League Two
Turkish Super Lig
Belgian Pro League
Greek Superleague
Russian Premier League
Ukrainian Premier League
Swedish Allsvenskan
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Welsh Premier League
Belarusian Premier League
Segunda Division
Serie B
Ligue 2
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Argentine Primera Division
Uruguayan Primera Division
Australian A-League
J1 League
International Friendlies
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Manchester CityMan City36285394227289
2Liverpool36268289246586
3Chelsea362010673314270
4Arsenal362131256451166
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs362051163402365
6Manchester UnitedMan Utd371610115756158
7West Ham UnitedWest Ham361671357461155
8Wolverhampton WanderersWolves36155163639-350
9Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton361114113842-447
10Leicester CityLeicester35129145256-445
11Crystal Palace351014114642444
12Aston Villa35134184849-143
13Brentford36127174452-843
14Newcastle UnitedNewcastle361110154061-2143
15Southampton36913144161-2040
16Everton35106193756-1936
17Burnley35713153249-1734
18Leeds UnitedLeeds36810183977-3834
RWatford3665253270-3823
RNorwich CityNorwich3656252278-5621

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Match previews - Daily
Transfer Talk Daily
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!