Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (December 19th) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, please post them in the comment area and share them with AFers!
On this day in 2009, Barcelona won a record 6th trophy for calendar year
That year, Barcelona had already won La Liga, the Copa del Rey, the Supercopa de España, the UEFA Supercup, and the UEFA Champions League, matching Liverpool's haul of 5 trophies in 2001. The Champions League victory qualified them for the Club World Cup, which included the champions of 5 other confederations and the UAE's Al-Ahli, who qualified as hosts.
Although Barcelona were heavily favoured, a diving header from centre forward Mauro Boselli put Estudiantes ahead in the 37th-minute. Despite constant pressure from Barcelona, the underdogs held on and looked to have secured victory when, with one minute left, Barça pulled level with a header of their own from forward Pedro.
Lionel Messi, that year's Ballon d'Or winner, provided the deciding goal in extra time, receiving a long cross and slipping the ball under Estudiantes keeper Damien Albil in the 110th minute.
On this day in 1987, Real Madrid star Benzema was born
Bnezema is a French player who plays as a striker for Real Madrid. He has been described as an "immensely talented striker" who is "strong and powerful" and "a potent finisher from inside the box".
In the 2007–08 season, Benzema became a starter and had a breakthrough year scoring over 30 goals as Lyon won its seventh straight league title.
In July 2009, Benzema moved to Real Madrid in a transfer fee worth over €35 million and signed a six-year contract. After struggling to establish himself in his debut season with the club, in the ensuing two seasons, Benzema reached prominence, scoring 32 goals en route to helping Real Madrid win the Copa del Rey in 2011 and the 2011–12 edition of La Liga.
Benzema scored the first goal of the match in 2018 UEFA Champions League Final by intercepting Karius's throw in a 3–1 victory over Liverpool, when Madrid won their third consecutive and 13th overall Champions League title.
On this day in 1909, Dortmund was founded
Dortmund was founded in a pub in the city of Dortmund, located in the German state of North Rhine-Westphalia. They would go on to become one of Germany's most decorated clubs, with multiple league and cup titles, as well as Germany's first European trophy.
Dortmund reached a peak in the late 1950s, winning back-to-back Bundesliga titles in the 1955-56 and 1956-57 seasons. They repeated that feat in the 1994-95 and 1995-96 seasons and currently have six league titles. In 1966, they defeated Liverpool 3-2 at the end of extra time to claim the Cup Winners' Cup, the first international honor for a German club.
On this day in 1988, Man United star Alexis Sanchez was born
In his time (2011–2014) at Barcelona, he helped the club win the Copa del Rey, Supercopa de España, UEFA Super Cup, and FIFA Club World Cup. Following the high-profile arrival of Neymar in 2013, Sánchez transferred to Premier League side Arsenal in a deal worth £31.7 million (€35.8 million) a year later.
At Arsenal, Sánchez quickly established himself as the figurehead of the team, completing every season in England with double figures in both goals and assists. However, after lacking "inspiration" at the direction of the club, he signed for rivals Manchester United in a swap deal in 2018.
On this day in 1983, The Jules Rimet Trophy was stolen in Brazil
From 1930 until 1970, World Cup winners lifted what was once called the Jules Rimet Trophy. However, four thieves pried open the rear of the trophy cabinet with a crowbar and the cup was stolen in 1983. It was never recovered, and it appeared to have been melted down and sold.
On this day in 1985, Chelsea defender Cahill born
In January 2012, Cahill signed for Chelsea for approximately £7 million. He won the Champions League in his debut season at Chelsea, and has gone on to win the Europa League, the Premier League twice, the FA Cup and the League Cup. Cahill was appointed as the Chelsea club captain ahead of the 2017–18 season, following John Terry's departure.
Cahill is known for his technical ability, powerful heading in defence and attack, volleying, and good tackling. The centre back also has an impressive goal-scoring record from defence.
On this day in 1986, Former Liverpool star Babel born
Babel began his career at Ajax in 1998, working his way up through the youth team and into the senior squad. He played three seasons for the first team before he was transferred to Liverpool in mid-2007, where under three successive managers he failed to secure a regular first team position.
In January 2017, Babel joined Beşiktaş on a two-and-a-half year deal. Babel became a crucial member of the squad that season, making 18 league appearances and scoring 5 goals as he helped Beşiktaş secure their fifteenth league title.
On this day in 1996, Milan player Kessie born
Kessie is an Ivorian footballer who plays as a central midfielder for Milan.
Kessie made his debut for Milan and helped the club to win the first leg of Europa League qualification match against CS U Craiova. On 20 August 2017, in Milan's opening Serie A match of the season, he scored a penalty in a 3–0 victory over Crotone. In a match on January 21, 2018, Kessie scored two goals, one being from the penalty spot, to give Milan the win.
