On this day, May 21, 2008: Chelsea's John Terry slips to help hand Manchester United Euro crown

Captain's fall in Moscow penalty shootout helps Ferguson guide club to third European Cup

Chelsea captain John slips and misses from the spot during his team's Champions League final penalty shootout defeat against Manchester United in Moscow on May 21, 2008. All images PA

Manchester United celebrate winning the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea.

An emotional Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates with Ryan Giggs and Alex Ferguson after the match.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates scoring against Chelsea.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo heads home against Chelsea.

Manchester United celebrate after beating Chelsea.

Manchester United's Wayne Rooney carries teammate Paul Scholes over his shoulder after the match.

Manchester United's Ryan Giggs.

Chelsea captain John Terry missed in the penalty shootout.

A tearful John Terry after the match.

Chelsea's Didier Drogba is given a red card.

Left to right: Manchester United's Michael Carrick, Rio Ferdinand and Ryan Giggs.

Manchester United's Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates afterthe match.

Manchester United goalkeeper Edwin Van Der Sar.

Manchester United players celebrate victory after Chelsea's Nicolas Anelka misses his penalty.

John Terry slipped, Edwin van der Sar saved and Sir Alex Ferguson celebrated on a dramatic night in Moscow as Manchester United overcame Chelsea to become kings of Europe for the third time.

After Sir Matt Busby's men comprehensively beat Benfica 4-1 in 1968, it took the most remarkable of comebacks to overcome Bayern Munich 2-1 in 1999 as Ferguson lifted the Champions League for the first time.

There was similar drama as United won their third European Cup on this day in 2008 against Chelsea, with the ever first all-English final going down to football's version of Russian roulette.

The opening 25 minutes at the Luzhniki Stadium failed to live up to the pre-match hype, but Cristiano Ronaldo's header – his 42nd goal of the season – injected life into the showdown.

United had further chances but the Blues bounced back thanks to a massive slice of luck just before the break, with Frank Lampard tucking home after Michael Essien's 25-yard shot took two deflections.

Avram Grant's men kicked on in the second half and Didier Drogba hit the woodwork, but the match went into extra-time and the goal frame was again rattled as Lampard took aim shortly after the restart.

Terry cleared a goalbound effort from Ryan Giggs off the line before Drogba was sensationally sent off for slapping Nemanja Vidic as tempers frayed in the closing stages. The match ended in the tensest of shootouts.

After the first four spot-kicks were scored, star turn Ronaldo saw his stuttered attempt saved by Petr Cech.

The Portugal international's devastation turned to almighty relief with the match-deciding spot-kick at 4-4, when Blues skipper Terry slipped and sent the ball onto outside of the post in the Russian rain.

Into sudden death, Van der Sar was the hero as he saved Nicolas Anelka's kick, as United triumphed 6-5 on penalties, sparking wild celebrations from all clad in red.

"JT is the main reason we are here. We had a difficult time and he is part of the team," said a disappointed Grant after the match.

"[He] was great all season, in the semi-final and this game. He is the reason they didn't create any chances. I feel sorry for him and the team.

"What can I say? Except in the beginning, we dominated the game, we hit the post two times and then we lost on penalties. The team played excellently and I am very proud."

Ferguson said the team, who were led up to receive the European Cup by Bobby Charlton, were inspired by the prospect of winning the trophy 50 years after the Munich air disaster.

"We had a cause which was very important," he said. "People with causes are difficult to battle against and I think fate was playing its part today. I feel very, very proud.

"The slip by Terry gave us an opening and I thought we would win it then.

"We were fantastic in the first half but the goal gave them an impetus and they were the better team in the second half. But in extra-time I think we were the better team. It was tight and there were some fantastic moments."

"I thought we were going to lose," admitted Ronaldo. "I had played well and scored but I had missed my penalty and it felt like the worst day of my life.

"But the lads did a proper job and I feel very proud for them. It means everything to me – now it is the happiest day of my life."

United have not lifted the Champions League since, having lost in the final to Barcelona in both 2009 and 2011.

Chelsea would go on to win the trophy for the first time in their history in 2012, when the penalty shootout went their way against Bayern Munich.