In the greatest European night of the year, for a team who only 3 years ago, looked to be a crumbling empire, it was a fitting moment for them to savor the glory, a win they deserved truly.

Before the match, the tension already built up. Half a century after the Munich disaster, and talks of this team potentially being Fergie’s greatest. Plus the stage was set up for Cristiano Ronaldo to strut his talents, after an all conquering season driving Man Utd to the domestic league title. On the other hand, there is Chelsea, one of few opponents the team actually display that bit of fear. Their first shot at a trophy that will determine their direction. Add to that the fact that Chelsea narrowly missed out on the domestic title added more tension.

When all is over, the rest is history. Many teams suffocated under the extravagant wealth of Chelsea, but Manchester United emerge victorious! Cristiano Ronaldo (while he would later on miss an agonizing spotkick), turned up on his greatest match of his career so far, and scored a stunning 42nd goal of his brilliant campaign, a feat bettered only by the best of the best strikers, only that Ronaldo is not even a striker! To add to the celebration, the man himself said in an interview, that he is gonna stay on at the club

And then veteran Ryan Giggs, on a night shattering the appearance record for Man Utd, possibly a feat never to be outdone again, scored the winning goal of the penalty shootout, a fitting reward for one of the best players ever.

And then, Rio Ferdinand, while impressive, had a little off-form in this match. You could feel the tension, at the start of the spotkick, after he got the decision from a coin-toss, had to consult Fergie on whether to go first or second. It was a decision he couldn’t afford to make.

His partner in defence on the other hand, was in imperious form. Nemanja Vidic kept Drogba in his pockets throughout the match. The frustration was clearly seen towards the end when Drogba went to slap Vidic, and deservedly got the marching orders.

Credit to the new signings too. Tevez, Hargreaves, Nani & Anderson all converted their spotkicks. Especially Anderson, who is yet to score for Man Utd in open play. That boy must have balls of steel, as the penalties went into sudden death, to duly convert.

Of course, the big man in goal is a focal point today. Time and again he denied Chelsea (with a little help from the woodwork). More importantly, in the final moment, he parried a Nicolas Anelka spotkick away, to win yet another European medal, a good 13 years after his last one.

And last but not least, the most credit goes to the master tactician, none other than Sir Alex Ferguson. ’nuff said