Leeds booked their place in the second group-stage of the competition.
Things appear to be pretty bright at Elland Road at the moment with Garry Monk leading his Leeds side into the Championship’s play-off places, but 16 years ago today, life was even brighter for the Whites.
Under David O’Leary, United were one game away from reaching the second group-stage of the Champions League but faced a daunting trip to the San Siro to face AC Milan.
Leeds celebrate Dominic Matteo’s goal against AC Milan
The Serie A side were virtually assured of top spot, leaving Leeds to battle it out with Barcelona for second place in the group.
The Whites knew that if they lost against Milan, then all Barca had to do was beat Besiktas in the Nou Camp. And with the Catalan giants going 2-0 up inside the first 20 minutes, Leeds knew their chances of going through were hanging on a knife edge, especially after Andriy Shevchenko missed from the spot early on for Milan.
Luckily, they responded perfectly through a very unlikely source.
Alan Smith celebrates Dominic Matteo’s goal against AC Milan
A corner right at the end of the first-half saw centre-back Dominic Matteo make a run towards the front post and meet the ball with a brilliant glancing header that left Dida scrambling across his line but ultimately unable to keep the ball out.
Despite Serginho – who had been marking Matteo for the opener – scoring a fantastic solo goal to equalise in the second-half, Leeds managed to secure the point that booked their spot in the next round and ensured that the defender guaranteed his place in United folklore.
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