The Miracle of Istanbul

Alexander Grelier

8/30/18

The Miracle of Istanbul

"The Miracle of Istanbul"
https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/football/story/istanbul-to-host-2020-uefa-champions-league-final-1241040-2018-05-24

             It was the final game of the season, and two of the most decorated clubs in world football would go face-to-face to see who would be crowned champions of Europe for the 2004-2005 season. It was Liverpool Football Club vs. AC Milan, two very historic teams. Although in this one, AC Milan seemed to have the much better team, gathering the most expensive players from all around the world. The whistle sounds and the match begins. Just one minute in, AC Milan's skipper, Paulo Maldini, gets his club a goal. For about 35 more minutes, the game is very intense but nothing significant had happened, until Hernan Crespo of AC Milan gets two goals within five minutes, giving AC Milan exactly what they needed to win the game; a three goal lead. The half-time whistle blows, and both sides walk to their locker-rooms. After conceding three goals in a soccer match without even getting a decent attempt on the opponents net, most would give up. But no, not these Liverpool fans. Their anthem, You'll Never Walk Alone, rung through the air that night in Istanbul no matter how bad things got. The players are back on and the whistle blows. Ten minutes in, Liverpool's captain and hero Steven Gerrard gets a goal making the game 3-1. This gave those fans and players that little bit of hope they needed to truly believe they could come back. Just two minutes later, Vladimir Smicer of Liverpool steps up with a strike from outside the box to make the game     3-2. Then just two more minutes later, Steven Gerrard is in the opponent's box, and somehow draws a penalty. Xabi Alonso steps up to the penalty spot. Liverpool fans hold their breath. It's saved. The fans are distraught. But wait, Xabi Alonso has run forward to get the put-back of the goalies' gloves! Its 3-3, and Liverpool have made the comeback that they could only dream for. The final whistle has blown, and the game would go straight into penalty kicks. After four penalties are taken, Liverpool have made one more than Milan, so it all comes down to AC Milan's star striker, and Ukrainian legend, Andriy Shevchenko. He steps up to the spot. He takes the shot, and it's saved by Liverpool's own! Jerzy Dudek saves Liverpool and they are crowned champions of Europe. Now, all over the world Liverpool fans celebrated, from dusk to dawn.