Happy Birthday Branislav Ivanovic!

#1
May 15th 2013
Benfica
UEFA Europa League Final

In Chelsea’s first major final without the legendary Drogba, the Blues were in need of someone to step up to the occasion and seal the victory. Fernando Torres did well to put Chelsea in the lead but Benfica equalized through a late Oscar Cardozo penalty in the second half. With the match well in to second half stoppage time and both teams seemingly headed for extra time, Juan Mata played provider for the second time in two years in a European final and lofted a corner to the far post. As he is wont to do, Ivanovic rose up above all and placed a looping header to the near post and put Chelsea in the lead for good.

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