Across a professional football career spanning two decades, Diego Forlan played in eight countries over three continents and featured in a World Cup semi-final, while also earning more than 100 international caps.

That journey brought many memorable moments, but for the former Manchester United forward, the 2010 Europa League final still stands out as one of the most special occasions of his career.

Forlan played a decisive role in Atletico Madrid’s 2-1 extra-time victory over Fulham in Hamburg that night, scoring both of his team’s goals, including the winner in the 116th minute, as the Spanish side brought an end to the Cottagers’ fairytale run to their first European final.

“That night in Hamburg was one of the best of my career,” Forlan told FourFourTwo. “A dream final. Not so much because it was a brilliant match, but because of the script.”

Fulham’s outstanding run to the final, in only their second European campaign, had begun with them coming through a group featuring Roma, CSKA Moscow and Basel, before they then knocked out Shakhtar Donetsk, Juventus, Wolfsburg and Hamburg.

“Fulham came in as the underdog, but they made things very difficult for us,” Forlan continued. “I scored after half an hour, Simon Davies equalised, and the final went to extra time.”

As the clock kept ticking down and a penalty shootout looked increasingly likely, Forlan produced the decisive moment when it mattered most, making the most of an opportunity that came his way deep into the second period of extra time.

“When everything seemed to be heading for a penalty shootout, Sergio Aguero fought for a ball out wide and saw me in the middle of the box,” he continued. “I managed to get the end of my boot to it and give Atletico the title.”

Forlan’s celebration after scoring was every bit as instinctive as the finish itself.

“I took my shirt off and threw myself onto the turf as if it were a swimming pool,” he recalled.

For Forlan, the importance of that goal went beyond simply adding another trophy to Atletico’s honours list.

“That goal tasted like glory, because it also marked a turning point for a club that started to feel important again,” he said.

“Spain’s capital, a city so used to seeing Real Madrid celebrate titles, was covered in red and white, and thousands of fans gathered at Plaza de Neptuno in a huge show of pride.”