20 years since Rivaldo's goal against Valencia

20 years have passed since one of the best goals in Barça's history. On June 17, 2001, Rivaldo scored a spectacular goal that is still remembered today as one of the best seen at the Camp Nou, and which served to qualify Barça for the Champions League. It was a great goal both in terms of its beauty as well as its importance.

A legendary strike

That night, Barça needed to win to qualify for the Champions League preliminaries, as a draw or defeat meant that Valencia, their opponents on the night, would qualify in their place. The Catalans took the lead with a great free-kick from Rivaldo after just three minutes, however, Valencia equalised through Rubén Baraja in the 25th minute of the match.

Just before the break, Rivaldo scored his second with a great shot from outside the area, but at the start of the second half, Baraja bagged his second of an entertaining game (2-2, min. 47). The match seemed destined to end in a draw, but then Rivaldo appeared once again.

Rivaldo goes crazy at the Camp Nou

The Brazilian scored his hat-trick goal with a spectacular overhead kick in the 87th minute. A cross by Frank De Boer found Rivaldo who, from the edge of the area, controlled the ball with his chest and nailed an unstoppable finish past Santi Cañizares. The goal provoked some collective madness inside the Camp Nou and the Brazilian himself celebrated the goal effusively, taking off his shirt and hugging the whole team, aware of the importance and beauty of the goal.

The goal saw Barça finish fourth, with Valencia fifth, meaning the blaugranes snatched the Champions League position despite both teams ending the season on 63 points.

The Barça XI on that magical night, coached by Carles Rexach was: Dutruel, Sergi Barjuán, Frank De Boer, Puyol, Gabri, Guardiola, Cocu, Simao, Rivaldo, Overmars and Kluivert. In addition, Petit, Xavi Hernández and Zenden came on in the second half.