Europa League final: Benfica v Chelsea - in pictures

Chelsea fans enjoy a few beers before tonight's 7.45pm kick-off Photograph: Reuters

This guy looks like he's enjoyed a few too many already Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

A Petr Cech impersonator covers all the angles at a bus stop ... much to the bemusement of those around him Photograph: Reuters

Here's the venue for tonight's match: the 53,000 seater Amsterdam Arena Photograph: John Walton/PA

And here's the trophy at stake Photograph: Franck Fife/AFP/Getty Images

Chelsea's interim manager Rafael Benitez is a bit of specialist at European knock-out football. He won this competition nine years ago with Valencia and, of course, he won the Champions League with Liverpool in 2005 Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

Benfica's fans aren't being outdone in the fancy dress stakes. The last time Benfica had a European trophy of any description to celebrate was the Iberian Cup in 1983 and the last time they won a major title on the continent was the European Champion Clubs' Cup in 1962. Since then they've lost six successive major European finals. Those are facts Rafa would no doubt enjoy Photograph: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

John Terry isn't playing tonight due to his ankle injury (Eden Hazard is out injured too). Instead, Terry looks like he's functioning as the team cameraman Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

Chelsea's all-time record goal-scorer will captain the Blues tonight. Their starting line-up is: Cech; Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole; Lampard, David Luiz; Ramires, Mata, Oscar; Torres. The subs are: Turnbull, Mikel, Moses, Ferreira, Marin, Benayoun, Ake Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images

The game gets under way and immediately Chelsea find themselves under pressure Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Lorenzo Melgarejo of Benfica shields possession from Ramires Photograph: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

Gary Cahill awkwardly redirects the ball away from goal with his chest during one of several heart-fluttering moments for Chelsea's defence in the opening 15 minutes Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Ramires squeals as he's clattered into by Nemanja Matic Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images

Fernando Torres tries to give his side some respite Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

Benfica's headcoach Jorge Jesus has been having a barney on the touchline for most of the half Photograph: Francisco Leong/AFP/Getty Images

Former Benfica player David Luiz tussles for the ball as Chelsea, who have improved as the half has progressed, reach half-time on level terms ... Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images

Ironically, Chelsea might have gone in a goal up had Lampard's swirling shot (pictured) beaten the seemingly wrong-footed Benfica keeper Artur Moraes Photograph: Peter Dejong/AP

Early in the second half, Benfica's Oscar Cardozo has the ball in the back of the net, but he's immediately ruled offside. It looks a tight decision, very tight Photograph: Michael Kooren/Reuters

On the hour mark, a long throw from Petr Cech sends Fernando Torres scampering through the centre. He fends off his marker and rounds the keeper ... Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

... before sliding the ball home. Vintage Torres. 1-0 to Chelsea Photograph: John Walton/PA

His team-mates are quick to congratulate him. If Torres wins this trophy tonight, is there a major honour he hasn't scooped in domestic, European and international football? Photograph: Bas Czerwinski/EPA

But eight minutes later, Benfica are awarded a penalty for handball by Cesar Azpilicueta (right) Photograph: Nick Potts/PA

... and Oscar Cardozo slams the ball into the centre of the net as Cech dives to his left. 1-1 Photograph: Bas Czerwinski/EPA

Following Benfica's celebrations, the remaining 22 minutes remain goalless and it looks like we're heading for extra-time Photograph: Francois Lenoir/Reuters

Oh, maybe we're not! In stoppage time, Branislav Ivanovic rises at the back post and sends a majestic, looping header into the net to put Chelsea's hands on the trophy Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

That was a proper top-corner job. Unstoppable Photograph: Michael Regan/Getty Images

Ivanovic is delirious. He missed the Champions League final last year through suspension but has made a defining contribution tonight. Surely that has won it for Chelsea? Photograph: Scott Heavey/Getty Images

What a climax. Every bit as dramatic as the final in Munich Photograph: Christof Koepsel/Getty Images

With seconds remaining Benfica race up the pitch and almost equalise! Only a marvelous challenge from Gary Cahill prevents a goalmouth scramble from ending in disaster for the Blues Photograph: Tiago Petinga/EPA

And that's it, the final whistle has gone ... it's finished 2-1 to the Londoners Photograph: Dylan Martinez/Reuters

Chelsea's players (with John Terry centre stage, wearing his kit) lift the trophy. Get this, Chelsea are now the current Champions League and Europa League holders. They are indeed the champions of Europe Photograph: Eddie Keogh/Reuters

Ivanovic sits atop the crossbar as raucous post-match celebrations begin Photograph: Patrik Stollarz/AFP/Getty Images

Lampard parades Chelsea's newest piece of silverware - and if you think he looks especially happy, perhaps that's because rumour is he's going to be offered a one-year contract extension by the club Photograph: Paul Vreeker/Reuters

For Rafael Benitez, whose reign has been so fraught with hostility and bitterness, this is a sweet ending Photograph: Paul Childs/Action Images