Branislav Ivanovic would not have been the name on most people's minds when it would have come to naming the person who would decide the Europa League final at the Amsterdam Arena.
Ivanovic, though, was the hero for Chelsea, scoring the winner in the third minute of stoppage time, just when the game looked nailed-on to go into extra time and after that possibly penalties.
Fernando Torres got his customary Europa League goal, scoring just before the hour mark to give Chelsea a 1-0 lead. However, Oscar Cardozo equalized for the Portuguese side, who were by far the better team, especially in the first half.
Just when everyone was mentally preparing themselves for extra 30 minutes, Ivanovic jumped majestically above the entire Benfica defense to score the winner and give Chelsea yet another European title.
"It's a great feeling and massive for me and my career," a beaming Ivanovic said. "The whole team deserves this -- we really played so hard all season and we deserve to finish the season with a trophy.
"It's been very hard, but we showed the power, we showed our character and it's a great feeling for us as a team, for the club, for the supporters and now it's time to enjoy.
"We've played a lot of games and we tried to fight for every point in the league and in the Europa League we've had our chance to win a trophy, a very important trophy for us and for the fans. We prepare for every game and in the end we are very happy."
Benfica dominated the first half, with Chelsea pinned to their own half for pretty much the entire 45 minutes. However, the Blues did fare better in the second, even if Benfica were still the better side.
The quality of finishing and Chelsea's big-game experience in the end proved to be the deciding factor, giving them another title to savor in the space of a year.
"It was a very difficult game," Ivanovic said. "In the first half Benfica played very well -- we didn't have enough intensity.
"In the second we scored and in the end I think we deserved to win though for us now I don't think the time is to think how the game was won, but how we will celebrate.
"It's going to be great, we play the last (English Premier League) game at home in front of our own supporters (against Everton on Sunday) and this will be a great chance for us to celebrate this trophy with them."
