In the year 2001, the Catalan Giants were struggling to put on good performances in La Liga. The result was that Barca faced the danger of not qualifying for the Champions League. The disastrous campaign had seen the sacking of their manager Lorenzo Serra Ferrer. On June 21 it was the last chance for the Blaugrana to secure a spot in the top 4 of La Liga.
A Rocket opens the scoring
The Brazillian’s first goal came in the 4th minute of the game when Barca won a free-kick 30 yards out. Rivaldo stepped up to take it, and the Camp Nou was sure he would try to find a teammate instead of going for the goal. In an audacious rocket of a strike, the no.10 sent it over the wall, hitting the post and into the right bottom. As his teammates rushed to him to celebrate he kept his calm suspecting that the job was not done yet.
A long-range effort to regain the lead
In the 26th minute from a corner met by Baraja’s header, Valencia managed to level things and now Barcelona needed a goal again for their qualification. Just before half-time, Rivaldo again stepped up this time from outside the box, feinted a defender once, twice and sent it flying into the left corner this time. The Brazillian celebrated passionately by gesturing to the Barca badge on his jersey.
A Bicycle to complete a dream-like hat-trick
Just after 2 minutes from the start of the second-half Valencia responded again. A set-piece cross from the left flank was met by a strong header by Baraja again and into the Barca net. The optimism in the Camp Nou turned into despair once again and hopes of playing the Champions League looked bleak. Barca struggled to get another goal and there were only 2 minutes of normal time left.
Valencia’s men in blue were like a solid wall in the face of the Catalan persistence until a chip from de Boer landed on Rivaldo’s chest and bounced in the air. In an acrobatic flight, the Brazillian hit it with his left foot which finally tore down the blue wall and into the Valencia net. The Camp Nou including the club president Nunes erupted with Joy and euphoria. A hat trick that many in the football world consider the greatest ever.
