Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (May 17th) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, feel free to post them in the comment area and share them with AFers.
On this day in 2006 - Barcelona won 2nd UCL title
On 17 May 2006, Barcelona defeated Arsenal 2-1 in the Champions League Final, played at the Stade de France in Paris. It was the second Champions League trophy for the Catalonians.
The match's first goal was scored by Arsenal defender Sol Campbell, who headed in a 35th-minute free-kick to give the Gunners a surprising lead - surprising because the English side were down to ten men after keeper Jens Lehmann had been sent off in the 7th minute for fouling Barça's Samuel Eto'o outside the box.
Despite being a man down, the Gunners held on to their advantage through the remainder of the first half and deep into the second, while still attacking the Barcelona goal.
The next goal, however, was Barcelona's, as midfielder Andrés Iniesta played a long pass to Eto'o, who scored a 76th-minute equalizer. Four minutes later, a Barcelona cross found second-half substitute Juliano Belletti, who fired the ball through Almunia's legs for the lead and the win.
On this day in 2014 - Arsenal ended 9-year trophy drought
On 17 May 2014, Aaron Ramsey's extra-time winner ensured Arsenal ended their nine-year wait for a trophy as they came from two goals behind to beat Hull City in a dramatic FA Cup final at Wembley.
The Gunners started as firm favourites but were stunned as goals from James Chester and Curtis Davies gave Hull a flying start inside the first eight minutes.
Santi Cazorla's superb free-kick put Arsenal back in contention before half-time and Laurent Koscielny scrambled in the equaliser after 71 minutes.
And as Arsenal looked the stronger, superior team in extra time, Ramsey, whose absence through injury hit them so hard in the latter part of the season, completed the comeback with an instinctive strike with 11 minutes of the extra period left.
Arsenal survived anxious moments as Hull pressed forward in desperation - but referee Lee Probert's final whistle signalled the end of the agonising 3,283-day wait for manager Arsene Wenger to taste success after they won the FA Cup against Manchester United on penalties in Cardiff in 2005.
On this day in 2003 - Arsenal won 9th FA Cup in Seaman's finale
Robert Pires eased Arsenal's agony at missing out on the Premiership with an FA Cup final winner against Southampton at the Millennium Stadium. he France midfield man scored after 38 minutes to end the challenge of underdogs Southampton and give Arsenal a deserved victory under Cardiff's closed roof.
David Seaman made his final appearance for Arsenal as he played 405 games for Gunners in total.
On this day in 2014 - Atletico won La Liga trophy
Atletico Madrid won La Liga for the first time since 1996 by securing a draw in a pulsating match at Barcelona.
Striker Diego Costa went off injured for Atletico early on and Barcelona capitalised as Alexis Sanchez smashed in a superb opener. Atletico came out strong in the second half as David Villa hit the post before Diego Godin headed an equaliser. Barcelona would have won the title with a win and Dani Alves went close with a fierce drive, but Atletico held on.
The final whistle was greeted by wild celebrations from the Atletico players and coaching staff, while the entire Nou Camp stood to applaud Diego Simeone's side as they finally ended the Barcelona-Real Madrid duopoly in Spanish football.
On this day in 2013 - Atletico beat Madrid 2-1 to Copa del Rey
Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho were sent off as Atletico Madrid beat Real Madrid in extra-time at the Bernabeu to overcome their local rivals for the first time in 14 years and lift the Copa del Rey.
Miranda's header in the 99th minute won it for Atletico. Ronaldo's header gave Madrid the lead after 14 minutes, but Diego Costa levelled 10 minutes before half-time. Madrid struck the woodwork twice in the second half while Juanfran blocked a shot from Mesut Ozil on the line to force extra time.
