Real Zaragoza: The 10 most iconic moments in the history of La Romareda

Living for 68 years is a long time. Just ask La Romareda. Real Zaragoza’s stadium brings to a close an era that began in 1957 and will conclude this coming Sunday. Victories, defeats, European matches, great players, decisive duels, crazy nights. this weekend, the white and blue home will leave behind many iconic moments that will remain in our memories.

On numerous occasions, the Zaragoza club has touched heaven with its devoted fans in the stands , but on the contrary, in the final dance of La Romareda, Real Zaragoza will have to fight to avoid descending into hell. It wouldn’t be the ideal farewell for a stadium with so much history, but achieving survival would mean a much more peaceful and less bitter goodbye. 

In addition to its purely sporting activities, the white-and-red fiefdom has also been the stage for major artistic and social events . World music stars have performed here, and it has even hosted a Pope. 

FIRST MATCH AND OPENING

In the mid-1950s, an agreement between Real Zaragoza and the City Council allowed for the creation of a new stadium in the La Romareda neighborhood, which would replace the old Torrero stadium. 

The first match in the history of the Blanquillo fiefdom was played on September 8, 1957, in a friendly against Osasuna. The Zaragoza team, then led by Cesáreo Alierta , won 4-3, with Zaragoza player Ramón Vila being the first player to send the ball into the back of the La Romareda goal. The other goals for Real Zaragoza came from Wilson, Murillo, and Vila again.

ROAD TO THE FAIRS CUP: REAL ZARAGOZA 3-2 JUVENTUS

In 1964, Real Zaragoza competed in the Fairs Cup under the command of Antonio Ramallets and with a dream forward line made up of the Magnificent Five: Canario, Santos, Marcelino, Villa and Lapetra. 

In the round of 16 of the European competition, the Blanquillo team had to face the all-powerful Juventus . On January 29, 1964 , Real Zaragoza won 3-2 in the first leg at La Romareda against the Italians with a double from Juan Manuel Villa and a goal from Marcelino . A result against one of the most powerful teams in Europe that allowed them to draw 0-0 in the return leg and continue advancing in the tournament. They later  managed to secure the title after beating Valencia in the final (2-1, goals from Villa and Marcelino). 

THE ZARAGUAYOS: REAL ZARAGOZA 6-1 REAL MADRID

In the 1974-1975 season, Real Zaragoza achieved the best league position in the club’s history ( second ), led by the Zaraguayos and without losing a match at La Romareda. The most notable match of that campaign at the red-and-white home was the one played against Real Madrid.

The team, which included the legendary Saturnino Arrúa , thrashed the team from the Spanish capital 6-1, with a hat trick from García Castany and goals from Diarte, Soto, and Arrúa himself. A worthy victory that underscores the great team Real Zaragoza had at that time.

HE HAS SEEN PELÉ AND MARADONA PLAY

Many great players have graced the pitch at La Romareda throughout its history, but the Blanquillo home ground can boast of being one of the few stadiums in the world that has seen two of the best footballers in history play: Pelé and Maradona.

The Argentine visited the Blanquillo stadium several times, facing Real Zaragoza during his spells in Seville (1992-1993) and Barcelona (1982-1984). Meanwhile, the Brazilian, who only played for Santos in his native country and the New York Cosmos in the United States during his career, stepped onto the pitch at La Romareda on September 3, 1974, in a friendly match between the Zaragoza club and Santos. The Brazilian star scored two goals and provided an assist in his team’s 3-2 victory, demonstrating what a great player he was against a packed Romareda stadium and in his last match in Europe. 

1982 WORLD CUP HOST

Zaragoza was one of the venues for the only World Cup ever hosted by Spain. In June 1982 , La Romareda hosted three matches in the first phase of the championship . Specifically, those in Group E, which included the former Yugoslavia , Northern Ireland, Honduras, and Spain. However, the host country played all of its matches in this phase in Valencia.

The Zaragoza stadium hosted its first World Cup match on June 17, 1982, with Yugoslavia and Northern Ireland playing each other in a goalless draw. Four days later, Honduras and the Irish faced each other, ending in a 1-1 draw. On June 24, La Romareda hosted its final World Cup match between Honduras and Yugoslavia, which ended in a 1-0 victory for the latter.

BEYOND FOOTBALL: VISIT OF POPE JOHN PAUL II

Aside from the sporting aspect, La Romareda has also had many sold-out social and musical events. Musicians such as Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Tina Turner , Metallica, and Héroes del Silencio, among others, have performed at the Zaragoza stadium. However, one of the most memorable events is the visit of Pope John Paul II.

On November 6, 1982, the then pontiff visited Zaragoza during his tour of Spain. John Paul II arrived in the Aragonese capital by helicopter, and although he only stayed for a day, his first stop was La Romareda Stadium, where he presided over the National Meeting of the Sick in front of a packed stadium.

GOING FOR THE ROUND OF THE CUP RELEASES: REAL ZARAGOZA 3-0 CHELSEA

Just a few days ago, the thirtieth anniversary of the most important title in Real Zaragoza’s history was celebrated: the Cup Winners’ Cup. La Romareda played a pivotal role in Real Zaragoza’s European triumph. Although the final was in Paris, the first leg of the semi-final against Chelsea at the club’s home ground was crucial.

On April 6, 1995, Víctor Fernández ‘s team thrashed the London team at La Romareda 3-0 with a double from Esnáider and another goal from Pardeza. A result that they defended in the return leg at Stamford Bridge (3-1 with a goal from Aragón) and that helped them reach the final against Arsenal, which left such fond memories for the Zaragoza fans.

Prince Diego Milito: 6-1 against Real Madrid

La Romareda holds illustrious and unforgettable nights in the minds of Zaragoza fans, and one of them was, without a doubt, that of February 8, 2006. Real Zaragoza, with Prince Diego Milito at the helm, thrashed Real Madrid’s galacticos 6-1 in the first leg of the Copa del Rey semi-finals in a Romareda that vibrated and enjoyed the match.

Two goals were scored by Ewerthon, the second a superb shot that beat Casillas, while the remaining four were scored by Diego Milito. The Argentine remains one of only four players, along with Lewandowski, Taty Castellanos and Sorloth, to have scored four goals against Real Madrid in the 21st century.

LAST PROMOTION TO THE FIRST DIVISION

It’s been a long time since La Romareda was able to celebrate a significant milestone. One of the last moments in which it was able to do so occurred on June 13, 2009. Real Zaragoza secured its latest promotion to the top flight of Spanish football after only spending a year in the Second Division. 

That day, the team led by Marcelino García Toral certified their promotion to the First Division on the penultimate matchday after beating Córdoba 3-1 with goals from Ewerthon, Ponzio and Arizmendi in a Romareda that was completely celebrating from the start of the match.

Goodbye to Romareda: Real Zaragoza vs. Deportivo de La Coruña

And after so many years of collecting memories, La Romareda will celebrate its final dance with the finest of its finery: a full house. It will do so against Deportivo de la Coruña in one of the most important matches in its history, with Real Zaragoza trying to avoid relegation from professional football.

With a victory, the permanence will be mathematical and they will be able to say goodbye, not in the best way, but in a less agonizing way after the entire season suffering at a stadium that will be remembered and will always be present in the history of Real Zaragoza.