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The former winger assumed he was heading out for dinner.

But those nearest to him had arranged a surprise—a surprise 50th birthday party a few months back.

And a special guest traveled from South America to attend.

“As the doors swung open, my initial sight was Asprilla himself,” the winger stated. “He was standing there waiting on me. The moment was magical since he is a figure you wouldn’t anticipate meeting in such a setting.”

“It was a lovely surprise,” he continued. “It meant a lot that someone would actually make that effort to attend the event.”

It is now approaching three decades since the pair delivered a masterclass with the Magpies versus the Catalan giants.

But some friendships undoubtedly endure.

“We clicked that night,” he reflected.

With the Magpies set to meet Barça another time, the Colombian will in attendance at St James' Park during the match.

‘Tino had a look in his eye’

Actually, every player connected back in September 1997.

It may have been Newcastle's first-ever game in the Champions League proper, though veteran the Belgian stated “the odds were against us as Barça were heavily favored.”

The goalkeeper, between the posts that evening, noted that Barcelona “thought they would only have to turn up to secure the result.”

However, that wasn’t the outcome in a electrified stadium.

“It was unlike any such roaring support,” Given said. “Amazing.”

Yet it was not exactly certain that the hero Asprilla would take part – and certainly not bag a treble during the win.

Gillespie recalled that Tino “came back tardily from international duty the previous weekend so there was talk his participation was doubtful.”

But manager Dalglish did not exactly have a plethora of options in attack.

The star striker was out because of a fitness problem while Les Ferdinand moved to Tottenham recently.

No wonder, former right-back Warren Barton remembered “Kenny giving Tino a chance.”

It was hardly an optimal situation for a match of this magnitude, however, he noticed his team-mate was “ready” that night.

“Tino was always reserved pre-match,” Barton mentioned. “However, there was an aura about him a determined gaze. This was his stage.”

It did not take Tino influenced the game, earning a penalty and scoring from 12 yards during the opening period.

Immediately obvious that he felt inspired.

“A lot of times you knew within moments what Tino you were going to get,” Gillespie said. “Sometimes he could be terrible, yet he excelled more often than not.”

The duo’s partnership

It wasn’t solely Tino that enjoyed the game of his life.

Gillespie openly stated that he felt impressed observing the rivals ahead of kickoff and noticed Barça’s superstars waiting.

But the Northern Irishman did not know much about the left-back, regarded as a elite full-back in Europe at the time.

Gillespie wanted to test his opponent to see how quick he was.

And once the winger knew he was faster, he constantly asked for the ball out on the right.

Without elaborate moves, he feinted as he was confident he was going to get there first” and whipped the ball into the box.

Tino finished it.

Not only did Asprilla double the advantage via a powerful header, he secured a hat-trick with a near-identical goal which stunned the club’s owner stunned.

“He was extraordinary on that evening,” Sir John said. “It was visible levitate as the cross arrived - and bang!”

The visitors scored twice, from Enrique and Figo, but Newcastle held on. Just.

To this day, it’s among the greatest victories in the club's history.

Perhaps, it was appropriate that Tino didn’t net more strikes before re-joining Parma shortly after.

Could it be topped?

Warren described it as his finest hour.

A tactical change

These were the nights Asprilla came alive.

Indeed, it did not feel accidental that he netted as many goals (nine) in UEFA competitions versus domestic outings.

However, his league bow stood out after his transfer from Italy.

Tino might not have played immediately after landing in winter conditions dressed unusually just days before.

He even helped himself some wine ahead of kickoff before the game against Middlesbrough.

But Kevin Keegan, leading the team, opted to bring on Asprilla seeing the team concede first on the road.

He provided Watson’s strike and the maverick's rubber legs changed the match as the league leaders emerged victorious.

“Upon his introduction, he transformed the game,” Albert noted. “Exceptional talents are capable of this.”

{It gave Keegan food for thought|It made Keegan reconsider|