On this day 18 years ago: Real Madrid win their eighth UCL title
Real Madrid is the most decorated club in Champions League football and May 24th is a big day for the fans and the club. Here’s a look back at their eighth UCL success back in 2000.
The Champions League, the competition for the best of the best in Europe. Real Madrid in no way shy away from the bright lights and anthem of the UCL but seem to thrive in its presence. This weekend, Madrid will face Liverpool in hopes of winning their 13th title and third straight.
Before the match, The Real Champs takes a look back at this historic day in Real Madrid history.
La Octava
Real Madrid faced off against Valencia on May 24, 2000, in the competition’s first ever all Spanish Final. The match took place at the Stade Saint-Denis in Paris, France. The White’s wrote their name into the history books but doing so was in no way easy.
In the 1999/2000 season, Real had to make their way through two group stages. Their first group stage, they played against Porto, Olympiacos, and Molde. The second group stage consisted of Bayern Munich, Dinamo Kiev, and Rosenborg. After great success in the group stages, they moved on to the knockout round.
Moving into the quarterfinal, they traveled to Old Trafford where they played against Manchester United. The amazing performances from Fernando Redondo and Raúl saw them move into the semifinals against Bayern Munich.
Against the Bavarians, it was Nicolas Anelka who helped his team make it to the finals with a goal in both legs.
The Game
It was a superb performance from the Whites that saw them hoist another title as they shutout Valencia 3-0.
The first goal came 38 minutes into the match from Fernando Morientes after Madrid pressure led to a Roberto Carlos free-kick. With the ball in the box and crossed in by Steven McManaman, Morientes was there on the far post leaping over his defender to head the ball home.
The English footballer who assisted the first goal would later convert the second. The Valencia defenders headed the ball out of the box but not far enough as the oncoming Steven would volley the ball in for Madrid’s second goal.
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With Valencia trying to make a comeback and committing all their men forward, Real found space and broke on the counter. Raúl danced around the keeper and slotted the ball home into the empty net to make it three.
Fans would wait just two years before tasting Champions League victory once again.
Now, the club prepares for another Final against Liverpool. It will by no means be an easy fixture, but the current Champions of Europe are up to the task.