Pittsburgh 25 Green Bay 31: Packers claim Super Bowl glory over Steelers as Black Eyed Peas dazzle Dallas



The Green Bay Packers held off a spirited Pittsburgh Steelers fightback to win Super Bowl XLV in Dallas, Texas for their first championship since 1997.

Aaron Rodgers stepped up in style with three touchdown passes, Greg Jennings converting two of them, and though the Steelers came within three points of overhauling an 18-point deficit late on, the Packers held on for a deserved win at Cowboys Stadium.

Green Bay started clearly the stronger and were 7-0 up early on as Rodgers threw 29 yards to Jordy Nelson who crossed in the end zone to finish a nine-play 80-yard drive with the extras added.

Bowled over: Green Bay Packers' Scott Wells hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy after defeating the Pittsburgh Steelers

All over: the Green Bay Packers celebrate their win over the Pittsburgh Steelers

Thirsty? Green Bay Packers head coach Mike McCarthy gets soaked in energy drink

That scoreline was quickly doubled as Nick Collins intercepted from Ben Roethlisberger and crossed, before receiving a dressing down for excessive celebration.

In the second, Sean Suisham's field goal gave Pittsburgh their first score from 33 yards but their success was shortlived as Jennings' 21-yard catch after a four-play 53-yard move extended the Packers' lead to 21-3.



The Steelers finally crossed themselves through Hines Ward to reduce it to 21-10 before the half was out.



After the resumption, Rashard Mendenhall got his side back into the running and the extra-point for a 21-17 scoreline.



Touchdown: Green Bay Packers safety Nick Collins (36) celebrates with team-mates Clay Matthews (52) and Desmond Bishop (55)

Is it a bird...? Green Bay Packers wide receiver Jordy Nelson (87) tries dives into the endzone

Their success was shortlived as Jennings was wide open to go 28-17 but in the fourth quarter Mike Wallace's ninth catch of the game and an impressive two-point conversion finished by Antwaan Randle El made it a three-point game.

Mason Crosby's 23-yard field goal dampened hopes of a thrilling comeback, however, and when Rodgers took a final knee, Green Bay's fourth Super Bowl was secured.



Back in the game: Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antwaan Randle El celebrates after scoring a two-point conversion in the fourth quarter

Floored: Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers (12) is sacked during the third quarter

'It was the great resolve of our football team,' said Packers coach Mike McCarthy.

'We had some practice with some guys going down and other players stepping up. It was a very emotional halftime for our football team. We had some bumps in the third quarter but just a tremendous effort and Coach Lombardi's trophy is finally going back home.'

Jennings added: 'We've been a team that's overcome adversity all year. Our head captain goes down, emotional in the locker room.



Our No. 1 receiver goes down, more emotions are going, flying in the locker room. But we find a way to bottle it up and exert it all out here on the field.'



Crunch: Pittsburgh Steelers running back Rashard Mendenhall (34) has the ball knocked loose by Green Bay Packers linebacker Clay Matthews (second left) Hines Ward said he was 'shocked' to lose, saying he thought the Steelers would come from behind to win like they did two years ago in a 27-23 Super Bowl victory over Arizona.



'I had a feeling we were going to do it again,' said the Steelers receiver. 'We've been in these situations before. But we should have never been in that situation. That's the discouraging part.

We turned the ball over, you can't beat a great team like the Packers turning the ball over.'



Eyes on the prize: Green Bay Packers wide receiver Greg Jennings (85) catches a fourth quarter touchdown

And don't forget the half-time show... Dazzling: The Black Eyed Peas perform during the half-time show with a legion of brightly-lit backing dancers

All hail TV: Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas is seen on the giant screen at the Dallas Cowboys Stadium

Seeing red: Dancers perform during the half-time show

Electric feel: Dancers continue the incredible spectacle



Famous friends: Usher (left) joined will.i.am of the Black Eyed Peas (right) on stage

All star: Fergie from the Black Eyed Peas was joined by guitarist Slash (left) at half-time, while Christina Aguilera sang the national anthem... but fluffed her lines





