Ivanovic’s last-gasp header gives Rafa perfect send off

Chelsea 2 Benfica 1

Fernando Torres’ sixth goal in six Europa League games gave the 2012 Champions League winners a lead which was cancelled out by a penalty from Oscar Cardozo, awarded for handball against Cesar Azpilicueta.

Frank Lampard hit the bar in the 88th minute before the winner came from the most unlikely source as defender Ivanovic, who missed last May’s Champions League win through suspension, headed in a corner in the first minute of stoppage time.

For the next nine days Chelsea are holders of both Europe’s club trophies after inflicting Benfica’s seventh successive defeat in European finals. The Portuguese side’s 51-year wait for glory goes on.

Much derided interim boss Rafael Benitez has now delivered silverware to make Chelsea the fourth side — after Juventus, Ajax and Bayern Munich — to win all Uefa’s top competitions.

“I’m proud,” Benitez said. “It was not easy, we have been talking about this all the time so I am really pleased, really proud.

“It was a great performance in the second half. We had some problems in the first half against a very good team but I am pleased for the players and for everybody involved. They deserved it because they worked hard the whole season.”

Last night’s result brings Chelsea a trophy at the eighth attempt this season and with a Champions League return all-but assured ahead of Sunday’s 69th and final game of the season at home to Everton, Benitez has fulfilled his brief since succeeding Roberto Di Matteo as boss in November.

His successor could be Jose Mourinho, who led Porto to successive European titles before joining Chelsea in 2004.

Eden Hazard was ruled out with a hamstring injury and captain John Terry, who missed the 2012 Champions League final through suspension, suffered further final heartache due to an ankle injury.

As in Munich, Lampard skippered Chelsea from deep midfield, where he was deployed alongside David Luiz, formerly of Benfica.

After the final whistle Lampard acknowledged “it looks good” for his chances of a new contract at the club.

Asked whether he will remain at Stamford Bridge next season, he said: “I really hope so. We’re getting there, we haven’t completely sat down on it but the club have been brilliant, it looks good.”

Oscar had Chelsea’s first shot after 27 minutes, firing straight at Artur before Benfica, with Matic influential in midfield, again enjoyed a period of dominance against a shaky Blues defence.

Lampard attempted to spark his side into life and fired a swerving shot which sent Artur the wrong way, only for the goalkeeper to stick out a left hand to turn the ball over.

Cardozo headed the ball in the net in the 51st minute but was adjudged to be offside as Chelsea survived once more before pouncing when another Benfica attack broke down.

After saving a Salvio header, Cech threw the ball down the centre of the pitch which reached Torres in the centre circle.

The Spaniard beat the lumbering Luisao for pace and then approached Artur, where the ball appeared to stick under his feet.

But Torres dug it out enough to round the goalkeeper and find the net from a narrow angle to continue his Europa League hot streak.

Benfica swiftly levelled through their own prolific marksman.

Azpilicueta was penalised for handball and Cardozo struck the penalty down the centre for his seventh of the Europa League campaign.

Cardozo struck a dipping volley which Cech turned over for a corner and the Paraguay striker then was unable to turn the set-piece goalwards.

Chelsea had opportunities, too, the best when Lampard hit the crossbar with a trademark right-footed effort from the edge of the box.

With extra-time looming Ramires won a corner, which Mata floated into the box.

Ivanovic peeled away to the back post and his arching header left Artur flat footed as the ball drifted into the corner.

Chelsea still had to repel another Cardozo effort before the celebrations could begin.

BENFICA: Artur Moraes, Almeida, Luisao, Garay (Jardel 78), Melgarejo (John 66), Perez, Matic,Rodrigo (Lima 65), Gaitan, Cardozo, Salvio.

CHELSEA: Cech, Azpilicueta, Ivanovic, Cahill, Cole, Lampard, Luiz, Ramires, Mata, Oscar, Torres.

Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Holland).