<P> In 1997--98, UEFA allowed the runners - up of top European leagues to compete in the Champions League . UEFA's rationale was that the quality of its premier tournament increased by including more top teams from big leagues rather than minnows . An old face claimed the crown in 1998: Real Madrid . The Spanish club won their first European Cup since 1966 and seventh overall when they beat Juventus 1--0 in the Italian club's third straight final (and second straight defeat). </P> <P> 1998--99 is remembered for the upset of Ottmar Hitzfeld's Bayern by Manchester United's treble success . United had already forged a reputation for late comebacks in England as they picked up the Premier League and FA Cup en route to the Champions League final . Having succeeded in both the league and FA Cup, the omens appeared to be with Manchester United for the Champions League . With Paul Scholes and captain Roy Keane suspended, goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel--playing his last match for the club--captained the team on the night, which was the 90th anniversary of the birth of Sir Matt Busby . Their opponents, Bayern Munich, were also chasing The Treble, and took the lead after just six minutes through a clever Mario Basler free - kick . It appeared to be enough for Bayern as Manchester United failed to find a way through, although Schmeichel was in inspirational form to keep his team in the game . With referee Pierluigi Collina signalling three minutes of stoppage time, the English club sent everyone forward (including Schmeichel) for a David Beckham corner, and were rewarded when substitute Teddy Sheringham turned home the equaliser after Ryan Giggs mis - hit a shot at goal . Just over a minute later, another Beckham corner again provided the danger as Sheringham headed it on to fellow substitute Ole Gunnar Solskjær, who flicked out a boot to send the ball into the roof of the net and win the European Cup for Manchester . United's manager, Alex Ferguson, memorably summed the experience up in a post-match interview when he said: "Football, bloody hell ." It was the club's first success since 1968 and marked the first English winner since Liverpool in 1984 . </P> <P> The 1999--2000 season saw UEFA again ease the entry requirements for the Champions League . Now the top three leagues (Spain, Italy, and Germany, according to UEFA's rankings) could enter four teams, while the next three (England, France, and the Netherlands) could enter three . </P> <P> This season saw Spanish clubs return to the top of the European table with the first all - country European Cup / Champions League final between Real Madrid and Valencia . Real Madrid started the 21st century in similar fashion to their 20th century exploits by defeating Valencia 3--0 to lift the European Cup again . On the way to the final, Real also successively eliminated the previous year's runners - up (Bayern Munich, semi-finals), and champions (Manchester United, quarter - finals). The tie against Manchester United saw a 3--2 away victory at Old Trafford, which included a goal created by midfielder Fernando Redondo and dubbed el taconazo (backheel) de Old Trafford . </P>

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