On This Day: Van Persie hit THAT diving header; Real Madrid won 1st European Cup

Hi all, welcome to All Football's On This Day! Let's find out what happened today (June 13th) in football history. If you have more stories and news that happened on this day in history, feel free to post them in the comment area and share them with AFers.

On this day in 2014 - Robin van Persie scored the famous diving header

On 13 June 2014, Robin van Persie scored that header as Netherlands beat Spain 5-1 in the World Cup. Netherlands produced a sensational second-half performance to annihilate reigning champions in a stunned Arena Fonte Nova.

Spain lived up to their favourites tag by opening the scoring through a Xabi Alonso penalty, but Robin van Persie equalised with an incredible diving header just before half-time and Arjen Robben put Netherlands in front with a cool finish.

Stefan de Vrij forced in a third from Wesley Sneijder's free-kick, Van Persie dispossessed goalkeeper Iker Casillas to make it four and Robben's brilliant solo effort sealed the win.

On this day in 1956 - Real Madrid won the very 1st European Cup

On 13 June 1956, Real Madrid defeated Stade de Reims 4-3 in the very first European Cup Final, held at the Parc de Princes in Paris before a crowd of 38,239.

Reims took an shocking early lead with a 6th minute goal from defender Michel Leblond and another in the 10th minute from forward Jean Templin. Real equalized before the break with goals from midfielder Alfredo Di Stéfano (14') and forward Héctor Rial (30').

In the second half, Reims again took the lead with a goal from midfielder Michel Hidalgo (62'), but the Spanish side proved stronger down the stretch, getting an equalizer from defender Marquitos (67') before Rial scored the match winner in the 79th minute.

It was the first of five consecutive European Cup titles for Real, who now hold a record 13 titles.

On this day in 2008 - Arsenal beat Man Utd to sign Aaron Ramsey

On 13 June 2008, just a week after Man Utd had announced they had won the battle to sign Aaron Ramsey from Cardiff City, Arsenal get their man on a five year deal.

"Arsenal is a club which always gives young players an opportunity and I am going to work hard to be a success here".

However, his career stalled significantly after he suffered a broken leg in a match against Stoke City in February 2010. After two loan spells away from Arsenal, he returned to full fitness and re-established himself as a regular starter during the 2011–12 season. 

Ramsey was a key player for Arsenal in the 2013–14 season campaign, scoring 16 goals in all competitions, including the winner in the 2014 FA Cup Final against Hull City. He also played in the 2015 FA Cup Final, which Arsenal won, and scored a second FA Cup winning goal in 2017.

He will join Juventus on 1 July 2019 after having signed a pre-contractual agreement.

On this day in 1996 - Kingsley Coman was born

Kingsley Junior Coman is a French professional footballer who plays as a forward or winger for German Bundesliga club Bayern Munich and the France national team.

Trained at Paris Saint-Germain's academy, Coman moved to Juventus in 2014 on the expiration of his contract, winning the Serie A and Coppa Italia in his first season in Italy. In August 2015, he transferred on loan to Bayern Munich, winning another double in his first season.

Coman earned 39 caps and scored 11 goals in France's youth teams, from under-16 to under-21 levels. He made his debut for the senior team in November 2015 and represented the nation at UEFA Euro 2016, in which they reached the final.

On this day in 1993 - Thomas Partey was born

Thomas Teye Partey, often simply known as Thomas, is a Ghanaian professional footballer who plays for Spanish club Atlético Madrid and the Ghana national team as a defensive midfielder.

Thomas signed a contract with Atlético Madrid in 2011, and was subsequently moved to the reserves a year later. On 10 March 2013, Thomas was called up to the main squad for the match against Real Sociedad. He made his first team debut for Atleti on 28 November 2015, replacing Luciano Vietto in a 1–0 home win against Espanyol. On 2 January of the following year he scored his first league goal for the club, netting the game's only in a home success over Levante UD.

In May 2016, Thomas was called up for the first time to the Ghana national team by manager Avram Grant, ahead of a 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualification match against Mauritius. He made his debut on 5 June, replacing Frank Acheampong for the final 11 minutes of a 2–0 away win that booked the Black Stars' position in the finals.

On this day in 1998 - Diego Maradona sentenced for shooting reporters

On 13 June 1998, Diego Maradona received a suspended jail sentence of two years and ten months for shooting four people with an air rifle.

The incident occurred over four years earlier in February 1994. As a group of reporters and photographers gathered outside the gates of Maradona's Buenos Aires estate, he appeared with two other men behind a car  and began firing an air rifle into the crowd. Four people were left injured and bleeding as a result.

At his subsequent trial, Maradona denied being the shooter, but his claims were unpersuasive in light of video that showed him crouching behind the car firing the gun. His initial sentence was later reduced to two years even, still suspended so that he did not serve any jail time.