On A Day Like Today: A magical European night against Lazio

On April 5th, 2000, Valencia CF enjoyed a magical European night at Mestalla, sending a message out around the continent. The club were participating in their first edition of the UEFA Champions League, and the dark horses in the competition overcame one of the toughest remaining sides in the quarter final stage in the opening leg.

A star-studded SS Lazio were the opposition, as they arrived in Spain with a squad featuring the likes of Pavel Nedved, Juan Sebastian Veron, Marcelo Salas, Pippo Inzaghi and Diego Simeone -coached by Sven Goran Eriksson.

The contest ended in Valencia CF's first high-scoring game of the competition -they would go on to play another thriller against FC Barcelona in the semifinals- as they ran out 5-2 winners in a memorable meeting.

The team were without one of their key players, Gaizka Mendieta, but were able to adapt to outpower and outsmart their Italian rivals. Just two minutes in, Miguel Ángel Angulo opened the scoring when he latched onto a tremendous through-ball from Claudio López.

López would round off comprehensive victory with a goal of his own, but there were other key contributors in addition to the man who ended the game with the captain's armband. Gerard scored a hat-trick, with goals from a solo move, a set piece and a shot from inside the area.

The result made the return leg at the Estadio Olimpico in Rome a mere formality, taking Valencia CF into the semifinals. After ousting FC Barcelona, they would reach their first final, against Real Madrid in Paris on May 24th.