Chelsea stunned Bayern Munich in a dramatic penalty shoot-out at the Allianz Arena to win the Champions League for the first time.
Thomas Mueller’s late header put Bayern on the brink of victory on home territory but Didier Drogba levelled things up with a bullet header at the death before coolly converting the decisive spot-kick.
The tournament which gave Chelsea their greatest agony when they lost on penalties to Manchester United four years ago in Moscow had now delivered the greatest glory in their 107-year history.
Juan Mata missed Chelsea’s first penalty but David Luiz, Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole were all successful. Philipp Lahm, Mario Gomez and goalkeeper Manuel Neuer were all on target for Bayern.
The momentum shifted decisively when Cech denied Ivica Olic and Bastian Schweinsteiger hit the post to leave Chelsea on the brink and present Drogba with his moment of destiny.
Champions League final shoot-out as it happened
Phillip Lahm (Bayern) scored 1-0
Juan Mata (Chelsea) missed 1-0
Mario Gomez (Bayern) scored 2-0
David Luiz (Chelsea) scored 2-1
Manuel Neuer (Bayern) scored 3-1
Frank Lampard (Chelsea) scored 3-2
Ivica Olic (Bayern) missed 3-2
Ashley Cole (Chelsea) scored 3-3
Bastian Schweinsteiger (Bayern) missed 3-3
Didier Drogba (Chelsea) scored 3-4
He was calmness personified as he rolled the ball past Neuer to spark wild scenes of elation among Chelsea’s players, staff and supporters.
Suspended captain John Terry joined the celebrations and lifted the trophy alongside Lampard but it was Drogba who was the hero, running the length of the pitch swirling his shirt above his head in triumph, as owner Roman Abramovich looked on as Chelsea finally claimed the prize he craved above all others.
The questions will now start about the future of interim manager Roberto di Matteo – who has given the Russian what he wanted after so many painful failures, including that defeat on penalties by Manchester United in the rain of Moscow in 2008.
And it is hard to see how Drogba, now 34 but still able to produce the brilliance that defines big occasions, can be allowed to walk away as his contract reaches its conclusion.
This was a victory in the mould of Chelsea’s semi-final win against Barcelona, built on resilience, discipline, defensive organisation and nerve at the crucial times and done without the suspended Terry, Branislav Ivanovic, Ramires and Raul Meireles.
Abramovich will leave the big decisions for another day, but this was a night he and his club have desired since he walked into Stamford Bridge nine years ago – and achieved with an interim manager he had to appoint after sacking his personal choice, Andre Villas-Boas.
Terry was locked in conversation with former England coach Fabio Capello at pitchside before kick-off, the defender looking ruefully around the magnificent arena as he contemplated missing out because of his red card in Barcelona.
Di Matteo delivered a surprise in his starting line-up, with youngster Ryan Bertrand handed a role on the left flank in front of Cole in an attempt to stifle the threat of former Blues winger Arjen Robben.
Chelsea’s blanket of defensive defiance served them well in the Nou Camp – and acted as a dress rehearsal for a first half spent almost entirely in their territory.
And while Chelsea were organised and resolute, they were also grateful that Bayern striker Gomez’s touch in front of goal deserted him at decisive moments.
Chelsea Champions League triumph stats
Chelsea are the first London club to claim the European Cup. Six European capitals have produced a winner: Madrid (9), Amsterdam (4), Lisbon (2), Bucharest (1) and Belgrade (1).
Chelsea are the second side to win the FA Cup and the European Cup in the same season, along with Manchester United in their 1998-1999 treble winning season.
For the 10th time, an Italian manager has won the European Cup. Roberto di Matteo is the first Italian to achieve the feat with a foreign club.
This was the 100th Champions League match for Chelsea since Roman Abramovich assumed ownership of the club in June 2003. Since then, no other team has played more than 91 Champions League matches and only one team has won more points than Chelsea’s 180 (Barcelona with 190 points from 91 matches).
Cech saved with his legs from Robben, but Gomez was guilty of failing to control just eight yards out when Franck Ribery’s shot landed at his feet, and then shooting wildly off target after a smart turn in the area.
Chelsea’s only serious response was a shot from Salomon Kalou eight minutes before half-time that was comfortably held by Bayern keeper Neuer.
The pattern continued after the break and Ribery thought he had finally pierced Chelsea’s resilience after 53 minutes, only to be ruled offside when Cole deflected Robben’s shot into his path.
At times this Champions League final was simply a matter of Bayern’s attack against Chelsea’s defence.
There was a rare moment of anxiety for Neuer when he could only half-clear Cole’s cross as he backpedalled but Drogba’s shot lacked power and the keeper was able to recover.
As the frustration grew among the massed Bayern support they wasted another opportunity as Mueller pulled another presentable chance well wide from inside the area.
Mueller made amends in the best possible manner though, when he headed Bayern in front with seven minutes left. He arrived unmarked onto Toni Kroos’ cross to head past Cech.
British European Cup pedigree
Chelsea have become the sixth British side to win the European Cup – following successes for Celtic, Manchester United, Liverpool, Nottingham Forest and Aston Villa
Chelsea immediately sent on Fernando Torres for Kalou – but it was the man for the big occasion who delivered again in the 88th minute. Drogba won himself just enough space at the near post to meet Lampard’s corner and head powerfully past Neuer, who got a touch but could not keep it out.
Drogba went from hero to villain in the opening moments of the extra period when he brought down Ribery with a reckless challenge. The France international was eventually taken off injured but in the meantime Chelsea keeper Cech was the hero as he plunged low to save Robben’s poorly struck penalty.
Bayern had been over-generous in front of goal and were architects of their own frustration after 107 minutes when Olic tried to set up Daniel van Buyten in front of an open goal but the defender failed to react to his pass.
And so to penalties and the dramatic conclusion that gave Chelsea the biggest prize in European domestic football as the Champions League finally went to Stamford Bridge.
