🎥 20 years on from Paris, the night that changed Barça's fate in Europe 🏆 | OneFootball

May 17, 2006 is forever etched in the hearts of FC Barcelona fans. Today marks exactly two decades since the Paris final, the blessed stage where the Catalan club lifted its second Champions League after defeating Arsenal.

That rainy night at the Stade de France did not begin well for the blaugranas. Despite playing with an extra man after the sending-off of the opposing goalkeeper, Jens Lehmann, Arsenal took the lead thanks to a header from Sol Campbell. The ghost of lost finals loomed over Paris.

However, football history is written with epic moments. In the second half, the changes introduced by Frank Rijkaard transformed the match. The introduction of Henrik Larsson proved decisive, bringing the composure and vision the team desperately needed.

In just four magical minutes, glory switched sides. Samuel Eto'o sparked wild celebrations by scoring the equalizer after a brilliant assist from Larsson. Shortly after, the unexpected hero, Giuliano Belletti, completed the comeback with an effort from an almost impossible angle that beat Almunia.

📸 ODD ANDERSEN

That Champions League not only ended a fourteen-year drought in Europe. The triumph in Paris changed the club’s mentality and laid the foundations for the most glorious era in its history. Two decades later, the night Barça ruled Europe again still shines just as brightly.

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here.

📸 LLUIS GENE