Cesc Fabregas: When Arsenal icon scored vs Barcelona with broken leg in 2010

On March 31, 2010, Cesc Fabregas was the hero as Arsenal drew with Barcelona in their Champions League quarter-final first leg tie.

Arsenal were the huge underdogs against a prime Barcelona. The Catalan giants were reigning Champions League winners and were favourites to win it all again.

Pep Guardiola’s side raced into a two-goal lead against the Gunners. But Arsenal staged a late comeback.

Theo Walcott pulled a goal back in the 69th minute.

Fabregas then won a penalty with five minutes remaining.

The midfielder was felled inside the box by Carles Puyol, earning the Barca man a red card.

Fabregas dusted himself down and dispatched the penalty with aplomb.

Fabregas quickly retrieved the ball and ran back to the half-way line. On his way back, he collapsed in pain and was substituted.

The game finished 2-2. Fabregas was pictured on crutches after the game. It turns out that he had sustained a broken leg. Watch the moment below…

12 years ago today, Cesc Fábregas managed to score a late penalty against Barcelona with a broken leg. @cesc4official pic.twitter.com/AUJEXZMXZr

Imaging scoring against Barcelona with a broken leg!

He told the Sun after the game, per ESPN: “My leg is broken – and I feel broken too. The penalty I scored against Barcelona could be my last act as an Arsenal player this season. But I have to cling to the hope that we can get through at the Nou Camp, win our semi-final and I might be fit for the Champions League final. That might be asking a lot but it is my dream and what I pray for.

“When Carles Puyol fouled me to concede the penalty all I could think about was to grab the ball put it on the penalty spot and hit it as hard as I could. The adrenalin must have been flowing through me so strongly