Anatomy of a goal: Fernando Torres' iconic goal vs Barcelona

Back in 2012, Roman Abramovich had a dream.

No, it wasn't to ruin English football by entering a European Super League, simultaneously causing Chelsea supporters to revolt in disgust.

He wanted to win the Champions League.

The big European trophy was the one major honour missing from his collection having arrived at Stamford Bridge in 2003. The Russian owner spent the big bucks to transform the Blues into genuine heavyweights of the game, but no matter how close they'd come, they just couldn't get over the line.

But that all changed back in 2012, in possibly the unlikeliest of seasons during his reign. A poor start to the campaign had seen Chelsea part ways with Andre-Villas Boas and appoint club legend Roberto Di Matteo in his place.

From there, the players had rallied, overturning a 3-1 away defeat to Napoli in the knockout round of the Champions League, before easing past Benfica to set up a mouthwatering semi-final against Barcelona.

The Blues won the home leg by a single goal, but it all began to unravel in the second leg at Camp Nou. Sergio Busquets levelled the aggregate scoreline on 35 minutes, and John Terry plunged his teammates into trouble by picking up a stupid red card two minutes later.

Andres Iniesta put Barça two goals up on the night, and now a goal behind and a man light, it appeared to be curtains for Chelsea. But the topsy-turvy game turned on the stroke of half-time, after midfielder Ramires produced a stunning dink to lob Victor Valdes and put the Blues ahead on away goals.

But hearts were back on the brink of exploding in pain on 49 minutes, when Lionel Messi lined up to take a penalty. As we all know, he fluffed his lines, and the plucky underdogs survived. From then on, it was backs to the wall, as Chelsea defended with all their might against one of the greatest Barça sides in history.

Barça came forward with wave after wave of attacks, but the 10 men stood firm. And so, as we ticked into the dying seconds, it was crunch time. La Blaugrana charged forward and forced the ball into the Chelsea box, where they all suddenly starting screaming for a handball offence.

It felt almost as if time stood still in that two second period, as we all waited with bated breath to see if the official would put the whistle to his lips. The referee was unmoved by their pleas, and in amongst all the tension, the ball was pumped high and long over the halfway line.

While we were waiting, Fernando Torres was on the move. The Spaniard raced forward, an ocean of space ahead of him, with only the body of Valdes between him and instant redemption for a largely underwhelming spell in west London.

He galloped towards the penalty area, staring his opponent deep in the eyes in the longest game of chicken in history. He drew Valdes from his line, and quick as a flash, pushed the ball to his right, just out of the goalkeeper's desperate reach.

After so many missed opportunities in the blue of Chelsea, he was not going to mess up this one. Cool as you like, Torres rolled the ball over the line, and sent his supporters into dreamland. It also gave birth to the Gary Neville orgasm, equal parts disturbing, haunting and hilarious.

The ex-Atletico Madrid forward wheeled away, knowing he'd broken the hearts of an old foe, and banished his own demons on one of the greatest nights in Chelsea's history. Of course, he and his teammates would go one better in Munich, beating Bayern in their own backyard to win the Champions League for the first time in their history.

What a moment, and what a celebration of the Champions League and everything it stands for.