 Milan were regarded as favourites before the match and took the lead within the first minute through captain Paolo Maldini . Milan striker Hernán Crespo added two more goals before half @-@ time to make it 3 – 0 . In the second half Liverpool launched a comeback and scored three goals in a dramatic six @-@ minute spell to level the scores at 3 – 3 , with goals from Steven Gerrard , Vladimír Šmicer and Xabi Alonso . The scores remained the same during extra time , and a penalty shoot @-@ out was required to decide the champions . The score was 3 – 2 to Liverpool when Andriy Shevchenko 's penalty was saved by Liverpool goalkeeper Jerzy Dudek . Thus Liverpool won their fifth European Cup , were awarded the trophy permanently , and claimed a multiple @-@ winner badge . Liverpool 's comeback gave rise to the final being known as the Miracle of Istanbul , and is regarded as one of the finest moments of the club 's history . 
