Champions League: FULL-TIME AC Milan 2-1 Liverpool
AC Milan are champions of Europe for a seventh time.
Happy days in the AC Milan end. They think this is won. Finally changes are made. Alvaro Arbeloa for Steve Finnan and Alberto Gilardino for goal hero Pippo Inzaghi.
Pippo Inzaghi struck twice as AC Milan gained revenge for their 2005 Champions League final defeat against Liverpool with victory in Athens.
Inzaghi scored a freak opener in first-half injury time, unwittingly deflecting Andrea Pirlo's free-kick past a wrong-footed Pepe Reina.
Steven Gerrard missed a glorious chance to equalise before Inzaghi slid home a second eight minutes from time.
Dirk Kuyt pulled one back with a header with two minutes left but time ran out.
Liverpool, as expected, used Dirk Kuyt as a lone front man with captain Gerrard pushed into an advanced role.
And it was a ploy that worked well until Liverpool conceded unfortunately in the dying seconds of the first half.
Jermaine Pennant was also prominent as Liverpool posed the greater threat, forcing a fine save from Dida after Marek Jankulovski had conceded possession.
The much-touted Brazil star Kaka was a peripheral figure early on, but he brought a comfortable save from Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina with a 20-yard drive.
Alonso then came within inches of putting Liverpool ahead after 26 minutes, sending an angled drive just wide after more poor Milan defending.
But after controlling the game, Liverpool conceded needlessly in first-half injury time.
Alonso had committed several careless fouls, and he paid the price for another infringement on Kaka 20 yards out.
Pirlo's free-kick took a crucial deflection off Inzaghi that completely wrong-footed Reina.
Liverpool struggled to exert their superiority in the early stages of the second half, and Benitez made a change after 58 minutes, sending on Harry Kewell for Bolo Zenden.
Gerrard had Liverpool's best chance after 62 minutes after he was sent clear by a dreadful pass by Rino Gattuso, but his finish was weak and Dida saved.
Time was running out for Liverpool, and Benitez made a second change with 13 minutes left, sending on Peter Crouch for Javier Mascherano.
As Liverpool pushed forward, they were punished by a piece of brilliance by Kaka and a trademark piece of ruthless finishing by Inzaghi.
Kaka unlocked Liverpool with a glorious pass and Inzaghi rounded Reina before scoring from an angle.
Crouch then tested Dida with a 25-yard drive as Liverpool tried to mount an unlikely recovery.
Liverpool then pulled one back with two minutes to go when Daniel Agger flicked on Pennant's corner and Kuyt headed home.
But this time there was no dramatic comeback and Milan celebrated wildly.
Champions League Photos
The tension mounts inside the ground as the teams are announced - Rafael Benitez gives Jermaine Pennant a start
The Olympic Stadium is awash with red, despite Liverpool only receiving a fraction of the official ticket allocation
Milan fans are heavily outnumbered by Liverpool supporters but they still manage to make their presence felt
Steven Gerrard finally leads his side out past the trophy as Liverpool continue their quest for a sixth European title
Dirk Kuyt and Paolo Maldini tangle early on as Liverpool find holes in the Milan defence in the opening stages
Pennant shoots across the face of the goal and forces a save from Milan keeper Dida as Liverpool exploit space on the right
Liverpool manage to tie down Pippo Inzaghi and Kaka as Milan struggle to create any telling chances at the other end
But Milan are awarded a free-kick on the stroke of half-time, after Xabi Alonso fouls Kaka on the edge of the box
Andrea Pirlo's free-kick deflects off Inzaghi and into the net, giving Milan the lead against the run of play in Athens
A lucky deflection or not, Inzaghi claims the goal and Milan celebrate snatching the initiative in Athens
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