Jose Mourinho's Porto side tonight became the champions of Europe for the second time in the club's history.
The Champions League trophy looks certain be a parting gift from Mourinho to Porto - Chelsea chief executive Peter Kenyon was at the AufSchalke Arena in Gelsenkirchen not on holiday but preparing for next season - but it confirms the 41-year-old as one of the greatest coaching talents in the game.
Porto were unmovable at the back, fluid and flexible in midfield, and clinical when it came to landing the killer blow.
Carlos Alberto, fast, skilful and purposeful stole the lead after a mix-up in the Monaco defence. Then, as Didier Deschamps set on the cavalry to chase an equaliser, Deco and substitute Dmitri Alenitchev secured the victory with breakaway goals.
There was plenty to admire though few clear-cut chances in the opening 20 minutes. Monaco's panache was cancelled out by a gritty Porto side.
Porto scored the first goal of the game six minutes before the break. Paulo Ferreira's ball from deep should have been cleared after Carlos Alberto's first touch was not the best but Monaco's two centre-backs got caught in a hopeless muddle and, when the ball popped up, the Brazilian hooked it from 10 yards out into the top corner.
Monaco decided to adopt a more direct approach, using the heading ability of Prso and Morientes, but still got little change out of Porto's defence.
After the interval Mourinho adjusted his formation to make it more compact with the bustling Russian midfielder Alenitchev coming on for Carlos Alberto for the last half-hour.
As Monaco tried to force the issue, the gaps soon began appearing in their backline.
With 19 minutes to go man of the match Deco made it 2-0 as he picked his spot brilliantly low to Flavio Roma's right.
The game was over as a contest in the 75th minute when Alenitchev latched onto a deflected pass into the box and lashed it past Roma to send Porto into a frenzy of delight.
After the final whistle Mourinho said: "This is the best way to finish my career with Porto. In two and a half years we have won everything."
Filed by Barry McEneaney
