On this day: Barcelona's maiden European Cup triumph, Del Piero's Juve farewell

The date of May 20 will bring to mind fond memories for fans of Barcelona and Real Madrid.

Published : May 20, 2020 13:04 IST

Barcelona's dream team which won the 1992 European Cup, kicking off an era of dominance in global football.

May 20 stands as a momentous day in Barcelona's history.

It was on this date that Barca won the European Cup for the first time, making it a watershed moment for one of the most iconic sports teams on the planet.

Speaking of which, this was also a day on which its bitter rival Real Madrid enjoyed continental success.

And while a Juventus legend waved farewell in 2012, a fellow Italian made his mark in a historic FA Cup final for Chelsea.

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Barcelona's Hirsto Stoitchkov with the European Cup trophy after Barcelona beat Sampdoria 1-0 in the final in Wembley on May 22, 1992
1992 – Barcelona seals European Cup glory

Barca were crowned champions of Europe on this day in 1992, with Ronald Koeman the hero after scoring a stunning extra-time free-kick.

After losing in their two previous final outings, Barca nervily got over the line against Sampdoria at Wembley in what was the final edition of the European Cup before the Champions League rebranding.

The Catalan giant has now won the competition five times, although it did have to wait another 14 years for their second.

Predrag Mijatovic's second-half strike settled matters in Amsterdam, sealing Madrid's first title in the tournament for 32 years.
 

1998 – Real Madrid ends Champions League drought

In another close-run affair, Real Madrid edged out Juventus in the 1998 Champions League final.

Predrag Mijatovic's second-half strike settled matters in Amsterdam, sealing Madrid's first title in the tournament for 32 years.

The top scorer in that year's Champions League was Juve's Alessandro Del Piero, who is the focus of another memorable May 20 event.

Juve's Alessandro Del Piero made more than 700 appearances for the Turin club, with whom he won six Serie A titles and one Champions League crown.

2012 – Del Piero's Juve farewell

Club legend Del Piero played his final game for Juve in 2012.

Sadly, it was not a fitting ending to his glorious career, with Napoli inflicting a 2-0 defeat in the Coppa Italia final.

Del Piero hung up his boots after making more than 700 appearances for the Turin club, with whom he won six Serie A titles and one Champions League crown.

This FA Cup final was the last one at the Old Wembley stadium and Roberto Di Matteo scored for Chelsea to help them lift the title.
 

2000 – Di Matteo strike vital in last Wembley FA Cup final 

The 2000 FA Cup final was the last one at the old Wembley stadium and Chelsea claimed the honours.

Future Chelsea manager Roberto Di Matteo's 73rd-minute goal broke Aston Villa's hearts as Gianluca Vialli led the Blues to victory.

It was the Di Matteo's second FA Cup final goal, as he also scored in a 2-0 win over Middlesbrough in 1997.