THIS WEEK IN HISTORY
MAY 26, 1999
What a difference 180 seconds can make. Manchester United's dream of adding the European Cup to the English Premier League title and the FA Cup for a unique treble is all but over. German giants Bayern Munich are leading 1-0 after Mario Basler fires them into the lead from a free-kick after just six minutes.
For 84 minutes the Germans hang on to their advantage, twice striking the woodwork in the final few minutes to underline their superiority. United manager Sir Alex Ferguson looks on dejectedly from the sidelines as officials indicate that three minutes of injury-time will be played. 'I thought it had gone going into the last few minutes,' Ferguson later admits. 'My players never give in. You always expect they can do something. But this time I thought we were beaten.'
But the 11 men in red shirts on the field of battle are not quite ready to give up the fight. Bayern have conceded a corner and United, with 34 seconds of normal time left, sense an opportunity. Even their goalkeeper, Peter Schmeichel, joins the fray with 20 others in Bayern's crowded penalty area. David Beckham glides in his corner-kick, the ball falls to Ryan Giggs on the edge of the area and his shot is deflected into the net by Teddy Sheringham.
It's 1-1 and 45,000 United fans, out of 90,000 people packed into the Nou Camp in Barcelona, go ballistic - they're back in the match with just seconds to spare. Suddenly the momentum swings in United's favour. Shell-shocked Bayern are desperately trying to regroup, but having smelt blood the Red Devils are going in for the kill.
