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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.

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TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Barcelona87012591621
2Real Madrid85301761118
3Atletico MadridAtletico8440124816
4Athletic Bilbao8422128414
5Mallorca842286214
6Villarreal74211414014
7Osasuna84221213-114
8Real BetisBetis833287112
9Rayo Vallecano824298110
10Celta Vigo83141515010
11AlavesAlaves83141112-110
12GironaGirona8233911-29
13Sevilla8233810-29
14Real Sociedad822467-18
15Getafe814356-17
16Leganes814359-47
17Espanyol8215712-57
18Valencia8125513-85
19Real ValladolidValladolid8125417-135
20Las PalmasLas Palmas7034813-53


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