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On this day: Barcelona open Camp Nou

Back on this day in 1957, Spanish club Barcelona played their first ever match in the Camp Nou.

Which stadiums are among the 10 most iconic? It's a question that has been asked by numerous websites, bloggers and journalists down the years.

While the answers and ordering will often vary, one ground is always present - Barcelona's Camp Nou.

Construction on the facility started in 1954 when the decision was made that Barca's current ground, named the Camp de Les Corts, was too small, with no room for expansion.

Architechts Francesc Mitjans-Mira, Lorenzo Garci­a Barbon and Josep Soteras Mauri were the men given the responsibility of producing a stadium that met the club's needs. It took a little over three years until completion, but the trio had been able to design and subsequently construct a ground that could seat just over 93,000 supporters.

It was on this day in 1957 that the Catalans turned out in their new home for the first time with the visit of Polish club Legia Warsaw in a friendly encounter.

The honour of having scored the first goal in the Camp Nou went to Barca's Eulogio Martinez, who broke the deadlock in just the 11th minute. Further strikes from Justo Tejada, Francisco Sampedro and Brazilian Evaristo de Macedo rounded off a 4-2 victory for the hosts.

Since then, the capacity has risen to around 100,000, making it the fifth-largest football stadium in the world. It has hosted two Champions League finals and World Cup matches, as well as being one of the venues for 1992 Summer Olympics.

Away from sport, various music acts, including U2, Bruce Springsteen and Michael Jackson have all performed at the Camp Nou. Pope John Paul II even took mass there in front of 120,000 people back in 1982.

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Barcelona players celebrate Lionel Messi's goal against AC Milan on March 12, 2013.
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CReal Madrid35286178225690
2GironaGirona35236675443175
3Barcelona34227570432773
4Atletico MadridAtletico35224964392570
5Athletic Bilbao351711757352262
6Real BetisBetis35141384641555
7Real Sociedad341412848351354
8Valencia35139133739-248
9Villarreal35139135960-148
10Getafe351013124148-743
11AlavesAlaves35119153440-642
12Sevilla351011144749-241
13Osasuna35117173953-1440
14Las PalmasLas Palmas35107183044-1437
15Mallorca35714142840-1235
16Rayo Vallecano35714142743-1635
17Celta Vigo35810174053-1334
18CadizCadiz35514162449-2529
RGranada3549223668-3221
RAlmeria35211223570-3517


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