1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final
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The 1991 UEFA Cup Winners' Cup Final was a football match played between Manchester United and FC Barcelona at Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam. It came at the end of the first season of the reintroduction of English clubs into European competition after the ban following the Heysel disaster.
The match ended 2–1 to Manchester United on the night, with both United goals coming from Mark Hughes. Ronald Koeman scored a consolation goal for Barça towards the end of the game, but it was not enough to prevent the Red Devils from becoming the first English side to win a European competition since they were banned in 1985.
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Mark "Sparky" Hughes, who had previously played for runners-up FC Barcelona, scored both of the goals on a euphoric night for United. Sparky's career had faltered after Terry Venables took him to the Nou Camp in the mid-eighties. A loan spell at Bayern Munich revived him prior to his return to United in 1988.
After a goal-less first half, United went 1-0 up following a free-kick from captain, Bryan Robson, which was headed goalwards by defender Steve Bruce. United striker Mark Hughes nodded the ball over the line, although whether the ball had already crossed before Hughes touched it was in dispute for some time, with both Bruce and Hughes claiming the goal (Mark Hughes later credited the goal to Steve Bruce, but the official scoreline shows both goals as being scored by Hughes.)
Hughes put United 2-0 up prior to Ronald Koeman's late free kick, which reduced the deficit. His second goal was superb as he cut the ball into the net from such an acute angle that he had to spin it off the outside of his boot to ensure that it found its mark, something he'd obviously learnt from watching compatriot Clayton Blackmore's free kicks in earlier rounds of the competition.
After Ronald Koeman scored a free kick, which actually came off the upright and hit the legs of United keeper, Les Sealey before crossing the line, Barcelona had a late equaliser ruled out for offside and United finished the game 2-1 winners.
Manchester United were undefeated in all rounds (unlike Barcelona who lost two games in qualifying). Brian McClair scored at least once in every round that Manchester United were involved in - except the final.
Revenge was sweet for Sparky and the Spanish papers famously stated "The Red Devils came dressed in white, like angels" but went on to remark at how devilish United were in their beating of Barcelona.
[edit] Match details
| 15 May 1991 20:15 CEST |
Manchester United  |
2 – 1 |  FC Barcelona |
Feijenoord Stadion, Rotterdam Attendance: 43,500 Referee: Bo Karlsson  |
Hughes  67' 74' |
(Report) | Koeman 79' |
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