On A Day Like Today: A win against Leeds takes Valencia CF to the CL final

On May 8th, 2001, Valencia CF reached the UEFA Champions League final for the second year in a row, beating Leeds United 3-0 at Mestalla through a Juan Sánchez brace and a goal from Gaizka Mendieta.

Left in their wake were teams like: Tirol Innsbruck in the qualifying playoff; Olympiakos, Heerenveen, Olympique de Lyon, Sturm Graz, Manchester United, Panathinaikos and Arsenal FC. They then met the side from Northern England, who were a Premier League powerhouse at the time. The first leg at Elland Road ended 0-0, meaning that Valencia CF needed a win in order to go through in normal time in the second fixture.

When the game came around, Sánchez struck early. He sent the ball into the back of the net 15 minutes in, off a cross from Mendieta from the right. There were appeals from the Leeds players, but the goal would stand.

In the second half, just two minutes after the restart, Sánchez received the ball, made a short run and launched a left footed shot that slammed in.
Mendieta rounded off the win five minutes later, off a counterattack that the midfielder finished off from outside the box.

Described as the 'surprise package' the previous season, Valencia CF were on their way to another final. A campaign that had begun in Innsbruck with a playoff, would extend to a showdown at San Siro in Milan.