Bayern Munich vs. Chelsea Highlights: Recapping Best Moments from Epic Final

Chelsea ended years of heartbreak on Saturday evening when they defeated Bayern Munich in the 2012 Champions League final to become the first London club to win the European title.

The Blues won the title after an exciting penalty shootout decided a very even match. Give Chelsea tremendous credit, they never gave up and took on every challenge that faced them, regardless of the difficulty.

They are worthy champions, and their triumph in Munich will be remembered forever as one of the great feats of European club football.

Let's recap the most exciting moments of this thrilling Champions League final.

Penalty Shootout

The two halves of extra time were very eventful, but after 30 minutes, no one scored. The match was to be decided on penalty kicks, which is how Chelsea's only other Champions League final appearance ended. That match happened in 2008 in Moscow against Manchester United, where the Red Devils won.

After Juan Mata missed the first penalty attempt for Chelsea, they were perfect the rest of the way. Petr Cech saved the final two penalties he faced, setting up a chance for Didier Drogba to win it all.

Drogba found the left side of the net to win Chelsea the European crown for the first time in club history.

Here is the recap of the penalty shootout. Manuel Neuer (Munich) and Petr Cech (Chelsea) were the goalkeepers.

Order (Munich shot first)	Chelsea	Result	Bayern Munich	Result
1st	Juan Mata	SAVE	Phillip Lahm	GOAL
2nd	David Luiz	GOAL	Mario Gomez	GOAL
3rd	Frank Lampard	GOAL	Manuel Neuer	GOAL
4th	Ashley Cole	GOAL	Ivica Olic	SAVE
5th	Didier Drogba	GOAL	Bastian Schweinsteiger	SAVE

Arjen Robben Misses Penalty in Extra Time

Didier Drogba nearly cost Chelsea the match in the first period of extra time by giving up a penalty after he hit the back of Munich winger Franck Ribery's cleats, which forced the Frenchman to the ground.

Arjen Robben took the penalty kick for Munich and shot it with power, on the ground, and to the right. But it was saved by Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech.

Robben is a good penalty-kick taker, but Bastian Schweinsteiger would have been a better choice. Schweinsteiger's strike from the spot in the penalty shootout against Real Madrid in the semifinal earned Munich a spot in the final.

Didier Drogba Goal

Chelsea's Mr. Clutch scored in the 87th minute with a header off a corner kick to even the scoring at 1-1 with just a few minutes to play. Surprisingly, it was the Blues' first corner of the match.

The Ivorian was able to put just enough power on his header to get it past Munich goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who really should have saved it.

Thomas Muller Goal

Bayern Munich got on the scoreboard first on a header from Thomas Muller. The young German forward was able to drive a cross hard into the ground with his head, making it bounce over Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech and into the net.

The goal gave Munich a 1-0 lead with seven minutes left, but they weren't able to hold onto the lead through full time.

Cech should have saved Muller's attempt on goal, but it probably wasn't how he expected Muller to try to score.

Ashley Cole Defending

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole proved why he's arguably the best left back in the world today with some phenomenal defending.

He made a huge block on a great scoring chance by Arjen Robben by anticipating the action and running 15 yards to get into where Chelsea center back David Luiz should have been to make the goal-saving block.

In the 78th minute, Cole's defense on Thomas Muller forced a shot by the German to sail wide.

Without Cole's brilliant play in the defensive third of the pitch, Munich would have scored three or four goals.

Mario Gomez Missed Chances

The big Bayern Munich striker had a great number of chances throughout the game, especially in the first half. However, he was unable to find the back of the net on any of them.

Just before halftime, Gomez was able to get around Chelsea center back Gary Cahill and had a great chance in front of goal in the penalty area, but he skied it high above the crossbar.

If Gomez had converted on just one of his many chances, Munich would have won the Champions League.

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