MX23RW : Sunday, August 16 13:24:38| >> :60:1000:1000:

On this day: Barcelona win first European Cup

On this day: Barcelona win first European Cup
© Reuters
Ronald Koeman's freekick in extra-time secured victory at Wembley.

Barcelona have been champions of Europe five times but it took them until 1992 to lift the trophy, then known as the European Cup, for the first time.

Here, the PA news agency marks the day they beat Sampdoria at Wembley for their first win in the competition.

First attempt

Barcelona's first final, against Benfica in Bern in 1961, started well enough when Sandor Kocsis gave them a 21st-minute lead.

But Benfica hit back to score three times through Jose Aguas, Antoni Ramallets and Mario Coluna and while Zoltan Czibor made it 3-2 Benfica lifted the trophy.

It was the first final not to include Real Madrid, who had won the previous five.

Second time unlucky

It took until 1986 for Barca to return to the European Cup final – where they faced Steaua Bucharest in Seville.

The team, including former Tottenham and Scotland striker Steve Archibald, were held to a 0-0 draw after extra time.

Jose Alexanko, Angel Pedraza, Pichi Alonso andΒ Marcos all had their penalties saved by Helmuth Duckadam as Barcelona lost the shoot-out 2-0.

Wembley winners

Soccer – European Cup Final – Barcelona v Sampdoria – Wembley Stadium, London
Barcelona celebrate their win over Sampdoria. (John Stillwell/PA)

Barca's dream of reaching the top of European club football was finally realised when they toppled Sampdoria 1-0 in London in May 1992.

Ronald Koeman scored the only goal in extra time, his free kick finding the bottom corner from 25 yards, in the last final before the competition was rebranded as the Champions League.

The team, managed by Johan Cruyff,Β included Pep Guardiola, Hristo Stoichkov, Michael Laudrup and Andoni Zubizarreta and also won LaLiga that season.

ID:399923:
Share this article now:
Did you know...?
Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson lifts the Champions League trophy on June 1, 2019
Read Next:
UEFA not considering changes to Champions League qualification
>
Latest Sports Video
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
Read more about Ronald Koeman Football

rhs 2.0
Europa League
Belgian Pro League
Norwegian Eliteserien
Swedish Allsvenskan
Finnish Veikkausliiga
League of Ireland Premier
Segunda Division
Serie B
Major League Soccer
Brasileiro
Uruguayan Primera Division
Liga MX
Chinese Super League
J1 League
Gallagher Premiership
Super League
Tables
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid39279372264690
2Barcelona40268692415186
3Atletico MadridAtletico401818454302472
4Sevilla401914756371971
5Villarreal391861564531160
6Granada38177145244858
7Real Sociedad38168145648856
8Getafe381412124337654
9Valencia381411134653-753
10Osasuna381313124654-852
11Athletic Bilbao381312134138351
12Levante38147174753-649
13Real Valladolid38915143243-1142
14EibarEibar38119183956-1742
15Real Betis371010174658-1240
16AlavesAlaves38109193459-2539
17Celta Vigo38716153749-1237
RLeganes38812183051-2136
RMallorca3996244167-2633
REspanyol38510232758-3125

Subscribe to our Newsletter


Transfer Talk Daily
Match previews - twice weekly
Morning Briefing (7am UTC)
Ultra close-up image of Kevin De Bruyne [NOT FOR USE IN ARTICLES]Get the latest transfer news, match previews and news direct to your inbox!