BRANISLAV Ivanovic bagged an injury-time winner as Chelsea clinched the Europa League in dramatic fashion.
A year after missing the Champions League triumph through suspension, the Serbian defender stooped to head home Juan Mata's corner in the 93 rd minute to snatch victory at the Amsterdam Arena.
Fernando Torres had fired the Blues ahead, only for Oscar Cardozo to level from the penalty spot.
However, with the game heading for extra-time, Ivanovic had the final say to win it at the death.
The Blues were dealt a blow in the lead up to the game when Eden Hazard and John Terry were ruled out through injury, with Frank Lampard handed the captain's armband.
Benfica flew out of the blocks and should've been ahead inside 15 minutes.
Cardozo's shot blocked was by Ashley Cole, Nicolas Gaitan blazed over when the ball dropped to him in the box, while Rodrigo fluffed his lines from close range.
Chelsea grew into the game as the half wore on, with Oscar stinging the hands of Artur.
The Benfica keeper tipped Lampard's swerving effort over the bar just before the break as the Blues threatened on the break.
Chelsea had a let off five minutes into the second half when Cardozo nodded past Petr Cech, only for his effort to be chalked off by the linesman's flag.
However, the Blues took the lead against the run of play on the hour mark.
Cech's long throw out was flicked on by Mata to send Torres in the clear.
The Spanish striker held off the challenge of Luisao before rounding Artur and slotting the ball into the empty net.
However, Benfica were handed the chance to level seven minutes later when Cesar Azpilicueta handled in the penalty box. Cardozo stepped up to fire his spot-kick past Cech to equalise.
Chelsea had a penalty appeal of their own waved away when Torres went down under the challenge of Luisao, but the referee was having none of it.
The Blues had Cech to thank for turning Cardozo's stunning half-volley over the top, while at the other end, Luisao blocked Ramires' effort.
Lampard almost snatched victory at the death, but his long shot crashed back off the bar.
However, they found it in the final minute of stoppage-time when Ivanovic headed in Mata's corner to snatch the trophy.
BLUES: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Luiz, Lampard, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Torres.
Subs (not used): Turnbull, Ferreira, Ake, Mikel, Marin, Benayoun, Moses.
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