The pulsating conclusion to the European season has quickly given way to a period for rest and relaxation for players, coaches, and fans alike; before we get to that, let's relive the top strikes from the final month of the season.

5. A fleeting lifeline

Tuncay's wonderful overhead kick gives Middlesbrough a very brief ray of hope for the club's survival hopes. Downing's short is deflected up in the air and straight into the path of the Turkish hitman, who hesitates very little before smacking an audacious bicycle kick past Friedel to put Boro ahead.

4. King Henry strikes again

The fabulous Frenchman puts a dagger into the Merengues' hearts with an expertly taken finish at the Bernabeu. Xavi plays a brilliant pass to Thierry Henry, and the talismanic striker makes no mistake as he beats Casillas to the ball and slings it into the Real Madrid net beautifully to all but end the Clásico as a contest.

3. Jumping off the Bridge

Andres Iniesta keeps the Blaugrana's treble hopes alive with the most dramatic goal of the entire season against Chelsea. Messi tees the ball up for Iniesta at the top of the box, and the classy midfielder makes no mistake as he blasts the ball past Petr Cech, booking Barcelona's place in the Champions League final as a result.

2. Round Two for Ronaldo

The Man United winger replicates the wonder goal he scored against Porto with a nearly identical strike at the Emirates. Almost from the same area and distance where he sent Porto crashing out, Ronaldo all but confirms Arsenal's exit from the Champions League with an absolute piledriver of a free kick.

1. Perfect start

Michael Essien puts Chelsea ahead in their ill-fated second leg against Barcelona with an immaculate volley. A cross from the left is deflected high in the air, but the Ghana international comes out of nowhere to whack the ball past the keeper with his weaker left foot, sending the home fans into raptures.

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