The reference to the legendary Istanbul night likely pertains to the UEFA Champions League final in 2005, where Liverpool, captained by Steven Gerrard and featuring players like Xabi Alonso, staged one of the most memorable comebacks in football history.

The final took place on May 25, 2005, at the Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul, Turkey. Liverpool faced AC Milan in a match that is widely regarded as one of the greatest finals in the history of the Champions League.

AC Milan took a commanding 3-0 lead in the first half with goals from Paolo Maldini and two from Hernán Crespo. However, Liverpool mounted a stunning comeback in the second half. Goals from Steven Gerrard, Vladimir Smicer, and Xabi Alonso leveled the score at 3-3 within a span of just six minutes.

The match eventually went to a penalty shootout, where Liverpool emerged victorious, winning 3-2 in the shootout. Xabi Alonso played a crucial role not just during the match but also in the penalty shootout. After his initial penalty was saved by Dida, Alonso scored on the rebound, contributing to Liverpool’s incredible turnaround.

This victory secured Liverpool’s fifth European Cup/Champions League title and etched the 2005 final in football folklore. The performance of Xabi Alonso and his teammates on that historic night in Istanbul is often remembered as an epitome of bravery and resilience in football.