The day that Faustino Asprilla single-handedly destroyed Barcelona lives long in the memory of Newcastle United fans. The match turned the bendy-legged Columbian into a cult hero despite him only scoring two goals in 10 games throughout the rest of the 1997-98 season. Asprilla who did score an impressive nine goals in eleven European matches was sold back to Parma at the end of the season for £6 million but his performance on Wednesday, September 17th, 1997, will never be forgotten. Barcelona - who were managed by Louis van Gaal and won the La Liga, Copa del Rey and Super Cup titles that season - couldn't handle 'Tino's' sublime skills and his 22-minute hat-trick was the perfect reward for an exceptional night at St James' Park. Asprilla scored after 26, 30 and 48 minutes. The first was a penalty he won himself, the others headers from excellent crosses by a rejuvenated Keith Gillespie. Those two were outstanding as was courageous captain Robert Lee,and goalkeeper Shay Given who made some wonderful saves as Barcelona battled to snatch a draw. Up against the likes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Figo, Sonny Anderson and Rivaldo, Newcastle's entire first eleven rose to the task and battled admirably until the final whistle. It took another five years for Newcastle to earn another Champions League spot when Bobby Robson guided his side to a third place finish in the 2002-03 season. Here's what the Barcelona beaters are up to now...
NCTJ-accredited football writer with an MA in Sports Journalism. What Culture football editor. Write for the official Newcastle United programme. Former video reporter at North News. Featured and published in the Sunderland Echo, Shields Gazette, Mail Online, The Mirror, The Sun and others.
