Athens: AC Milan made sure there was no Liverpool comeback this time.

Filippo Inzaghi scored two goals and Milan did it by the book to win European football's biggest prize for the seventh time on Wednesday, beating Liverpool 2-1 in the Champions League final.

It was a repeat meeting of their 2005 final when Milan tossed away a 3-0 halftime lead to lose on penalties after a 3-3 draw that become one of the greatest finals in the competition's 52-year history.

This one didn't really get out of second gear.

Inzaghi deflected in a free kick by Andrea Pirlo in the final minute of the first half and ran clear to shoot past Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina in the 82nd. Although Dirk Kuyt's header replied for Liverpool with a minute to go, this time there was to be no extra time and no penalty shootout.

Inzaghi jubilant

Inzaghi didn't play in Istanbul two years ago so these were his first goals in a final.

"These are the evenings that remain with you for all your life," the striker said. "I've scored quite a few times in Europe but scoring in the Champions League final is something special.

"The first goal opened up the game but the second was certainly more beautiful."

Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti now has two winners medals as a coach to go with the ones he won as a Milan player in 1989 and 1990.

"This joy has to be shared with all those close to the club, all those who have sustained us, and all the fans," Ancelotti said. "It was a very difficult game, much like our season. We started slowly but grew in confidence as the game went on.

"(The game) wasn't spectacular, but Liverpool is a team that can stop you playing."

Ghosts put to bed

Milan midfielder Gennaro Gattuso said the team was finally over its loss in Istanbul. "The defeat two years ago will stay me for a lifetime," he said. "But this is a different story. It's our turn to celebrate now."

Milan moved within two of Real Madrid's all-time record of nine European Cup triumphs while Liverpool stays with five. Maldini, who scored a rare goal in the opening minute in Istanbul, made a mark as soon as the game in Athens kicked off. He made his eighth appearance in the competition's final, tying Gento's long-established mark dating back to 1966.

This time, Milan scored in the final minute of the half rather than the first.

Kaka went down under a challenge from Xabi Alonso outside the Liverpool area and Pirlo's free kick brushed Inzaghi and deflected past Reina.

"I thought we started well," Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard said. "We were in control just how we like to be but when you do that you've got to score. They got the first goal, with a bit of luck, but it was a big lift for them."

Benitez curses luck

Liverpool manager Rafa Benitez, who also led Valencia to the UEFA Cup title in 2004 before moving to Anfield, said his team was unlucky to conceded Inzaghi's deflected goal.

"We lost against a good team with top-class players," Benitez said. "The first half we played really well but conceded a goal, a deflection, through bad luck."

But it was an amazing end to a half that had few chances, with Milan goalkeeper Dida blocking a shot from Jermaine Pennant in the 10th minute and Kaka forcing Reina to make a low diving stop in the 17th.

Playing in a more attacking role than usual, Gerrard should have equalised in the 61st when Gattuso gave the ball away 25 yards from his own goal and the Liverpool captain ran clear. He didn't get any power on his shot, however, and Dida raced off his line to make a blocking save.

Gerrard's failure to score reflected his lack of influence on the game. Usually adept at surging through from deep positions, he had been told to support Kuyt and the plan clearly didn't work.

The Milan midfielders were strolling around unchallenged inside the Liverpool area before Kaka's pass put Inzaghi clear. Reina raced off his line but the striker pushed the ball to one side and then rolled it past him into an empty net to the dismay of the Liverpool fans behind the goal. — AP

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