The last time Newcastle played Barcelona, here is what happened.
Newcastle United will compete against Barcelona in the Champions League in St James’ Park on Thursday evening – a fixture that immediately evokes memories of one of the most iconic nights in the history of the club.
The last time Newcastle Barcelona played in the competition, in September 1997, it ended in a legendary 3-2 victory for the Magpies.
That night belongs to Folklore for Magpies fans, who likes to remember the electric runs of Keith Gillespie that night in the right flank and of course the unforgettable hat trick of Faustino Asprilla.
It was against a barca side littered with stars with Rivaldo, Luis Figo and Luis Enrique.
When Newcastle Barcelona shocked in 1997
Kevin Keegan left earlier that year, but the Newcastle of Kenny Dalglish was still full of European ambition.
After they had qualified by Croatia Zagreb, they were thrown directly into the deep end – opposite Louis van Gaala in their opening group competition of the Champions League.
Few gave Newcastle a chance. But St James’ park was the most intimidating, with more than 36,000 fans who created a deafening wall of noise.
It was in that atmosphere that Gillespie, then only 22, tore through the left side of Barcelona.
Asprilla Hat-Trick vs Barcelona
The first turning point of the game came in the 22nd minute when Asprilla was brought down in the box, before he turned the penalty himself cool.
Only nine minutes later, Gillespie Sergi supplied on the right side and delivered a Pinpoint Cross that Asprilla driven home with a towering jump.
The Colombian striker completed his hat trick early in the second half, again connected to a Gillespie-Kruis to spark delirium in the Gallowgate. On 3-0 it was unthinkable.
Barcelona fought back through Luis Enrique and Figo, but Newcastle held up for a famous 3-2 win-a night was still praised as one of the largest in the club’s history.
The last time Newcastle played Barcelona
The last time Newcastle Barcelona played was more than 25 years ago, but the game continues to resonate at Tyneside.
It was the first time that Newcastle was confronted with one of Europe’s elite in the Champions League and they arrived with style.
Former keeper Shay has often reminded himself of the awe of standing next to Rivaldo and Figo in the tunnel.
Defender Steve Watson has admitted that it was one of his best games in black -white, even if Asprilla and Gillespie stolen the headlines.
For Gillespie, it was undoubtedly the performance of his career: “You want your best game against a Barcelona or Real Madrid. Fortunately for me it was Barcelona,” He said years later.
St James’ Park will be under the lights again on Thursday; But it is Barcelona who arrives at football bets as favorites.
While the two clubs are preparing again to meet each other, fans will hope that the side of Eddie Howe can channel the same energy, intensity and spirit that brought the Dalglish team to victory in 1997.
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