2005 UEFA Cup Final

2005 UEFA Cup Final
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Title	2005 UEFA Cup Final
Event	2004–05 UEFA Cup
Team1	Sporting CP
Team1association	Portugal
Team2	CSKA Moscow
Team2association	Russia
Score	1–3
Date	18 May 2005
Stadium	Estádio José Alvalade
City	Lisbon
Referee	Alain Sars
Attendance	47,085
Weather	Clear
Previous	2004 UEFA Cup Final
Next	2006 UEFA Cup Final

2005 UEFA Cup Final was the final match of the 2004–05 UEFA Cup, the 34th season of UEFA's secondary club football tournament. It was contested between Portuguese side Sporting CP and Russian club CSKA Moscow at Sporting's home ground, the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, on 18 May 2005. CSKA Moscow won the match 3–1, becoming the first Russian team to win a major UEFA competition.

Background

The 2004–05 UEFA Cup featured clubs from across Europe, including previous winners like Newcastle United and Auxerre. Sporting CP, managed by José Peseiro, reached the final after eliminating teams such as Feyenoord and Middlesbrough. Their opponents, CSKA Moscow, were led by manager Valery Gazzaev and had progressed past Benfica and Parma. The final was notable for being held at the home stadium of one of the finalists, a rare occurrence in UEFA competition history. The match was also significant for CSKA Moscow, as they aimed to become the first club from Eastern Europe to win the tournament since Dynamo Kyiv in 1986.

Match summary

The match began with Sporting CP applying early pressure in front of their home supporters at the Estádio José Alvalade. The deadlock was broken in the 29th minute when Sporting CP midfielder Rogério scored with a low shot from outside the penalty area. CSKA Moscow responded strongly in the second half, with manager Valery Gazzaev making a crucial substitution by bringing on Vágner Love. The equalizer came in the 56th minute from CSKA Moscow defender Aleksei Berezutski, who headed in a corner from Yuri Zhirkov. CSKA Moscow then took the lead in the 65th minute through a powerful strike from Jô, following an assist from Vágner Love. The victory was sealed in the 75th minute when Vágner Love scored himself, capitalizing on a defensive error to secure a historic 3–1 win for the Russian side.

Aftermath

The victory marked a historic achievement for CSKA Moscow and for Russian football, providing a significant boost to the Russian Premier League's profile in Europe. Manager Valery Gazzaev was hailed for his tactical changes, and players like Vágner Love and Yuri Zhirkov gained wider recognition. For Sporting CP, the defeat was a major disappointment in front of their home crowd, though their run to the final was still considered a success. The win qualified CSKA Moscow for the 2005 UEFA Super Cup, where they would face Liverpool, the winners of the UEFA Champions League. The final is remembered as a landmark event for Eastern European club football, demonstrating its growing competitiveness on the continental stage.

Match details

The final was played on 18 May 2005 at the Estádio José Alvalade in Lisbon, with an official attendance of 47,085. The referee was French official Alain Sars. Sporting CP wore their traditional green and white striped shirts, while CSKA Moscow played in all red. The CSKA Moscow starting lineup featured goalkeeper Igor Akinfeev, defenders Aleksei Berezutski and Sergei Ignashevich, and midfielders Yuri Zhirkov and Daniel Carvalho. Key players for Sporting CP included goalkeeper Ricardo Pereira, captain Pedro Barbosa, and forwards Liédson and Rogério. The match ball was the Adidas Fevernova, the same model used in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.

Category:UEFA Cup Finals Category:2005 in Portuguese football Category:2005 in Russian football Category:Sporting CP matches Category:PFC CSKA Moscow matches