10 things that you (maybe) don't remember from the Tamudazo

10 things that you (maybe) don't remember from the Tamudazo

On June 9, 2007, Raul Tamudo silenced Camp Nou in the 90th minute. His goal earned Espanyol a draw and Barcelona lost top spot in La Liga with just one game to go, allowing Fabio Capello's Real Madrid to go on and claim the title. That night breathed life back into a rivalry which was beginning to wane. 

The game left a great amount of anecdotes which are still remembered today by fans on both sides of the Catalan derby divide. Here is the inside story of the 'Tamudazo': 

A PACKED CAMP NOU

One day before the game, the 'sold out' signs were up around Camp Nou. The 11,8000 tickets that went on sale for the derby were snapped up. In the end, there were only 90,695 fans inside the ground, though, which was less than the 98,000 for Madrid's visit, the highest amount that season. 

SUSPICIONS 

It happens every year. When the end of the season arrives, people talk of 'bonuses'. This year was not an exception. The suspicion was that Espanyol would be paid a 'bonus' if they could get a result at Camp Nou, while Real Zaragoza, who that same day faced Real Madrid, were also speculated to be playing under the same circumstances. In a poll in SPORT, 85 percent of readers were convinced Espanyol had been paid. 

In Zaragoza at the time was Gerard Pique. And, as is normal, he spoke out: "I've not seen any 'bonuses', but they'd be welcome. My phone is full of messages from cules asking for help." Real Zaragoza were still playing in hope of qualifying for Europe. Dani Jarque, meanwhile, said that Espanyol's objective was to win for themselves, "nothing more". 

RONALDINHO 

One game before, Ronaldinho had seen a red card for a foul on Belenguer. Throughout the week there was talk about the possibility of having it rescinded. That didn't happen, though, and Eidur Gudjohnsen played instead. 

The Brazilian didn't go to the stadium to watch the game - which caused a great deal of annoyance. It's said that he watched the game on his sofa at home. 

GUARDIOLA'S BARCELONA RETURN

The current Bayern Munich coach, Josep Guardiola, reached an agreement with Barcelona to coach the B team. They were times when he was not front page news and he had still not appeared as an alternative to manage the first team. 

ANOTHER 'MARADONA' GOAL 

Lionel Messi scored the two goals against Espanyol: the first with his hand, the second with his feet. The Argentine re-created another Diego Maradona goal, albeit a more controversial one than his individual effort against Getafe. 

PEÑA'S REVENGE

Ex-Barça player Ivan de la Peña played one of his best games in an Espanyol shirt. He created both of Tamudo's goals in two very similar moves: two balls between Puyol and Thuram which Tamudo took advantage of to silence Camp Nou. 

FATEFUL 90'

Barça were ahead for 47 minutes, but they lost it all in the final minute. And they were left in the hands of Mallorca, who visited Real Madrid the following weekend. Tamudo picked the ball up in the area and took advantage of the lack of attention Barça had paid to him. Oleguer had played him onside. 

RECORD MAN TAMUDO 

Striker Raul Tamudo took his tally in La Liga to 112, overtaking Marañon as Espanyol's top scorer. Tamudo celebrated it in the best possible way. "He deserves this record," Espanyol boss Valverde said. 

LETHAL RUUD 

While Barça were letting Espanyol back into the game, Dutch striker Ruud van Nistelrooy scored twice to help Real Madrid to a 2-2 draw at La Romareda. The forward became his side's most decisive player in the final stretch of the season. 

Curiously, Madrid had beaten Espanyol a few weeks earlier with an 89th minute winner - scoring at almost the exact same time as the Pericos did at Camp Nou. 

NIGHT FOR THE RADIO 

As Barcelona-Espanyol and Zaragoza-Madrid kicked off at the same time, many fans were waiting by their radios for news. At one point, with minutes to go, Barça were on 75 points and Madrid on 72. By full time, they were both on 73. A particularly cruel night for the Barça fans, who supported their team until the end and ended up stunned.