European Super Football

Celtic 3 - 1 Hearts Celtic win the Scottish Premiership after dramatic final day Author | Sean M Stadium | Celtic Park Celtic came from behind in an extraordinary finale to beat long-time Scottish Premiership leaders Hearts and deny them a first league title since 1960, while sealing a fifth consecutive championship after a remarkable campaign. The Edinburgh side had topped the Premiership since September in their bid to become the first team outside the Old Firm to win the top flight in 40 years and required only a draw to be crowned champions. A closer analysis of what happened However, Lawrence Shankland's opener was cancelled out by an Arne Engels penalty before Daizen Maeda bundled home with two minutes of normal time remaining, with the goal eventually awarded after a VAR review overturned the original decision to disallow it. Callum Osmand raced through to add a third in stoppage time as Celtic moved clear of Rangers with a record 56 league titles. With attention fixed on Ce...

Tottenham Hotspur 1 - 1 Leeds United  A missed opportunity for the home side? Author | Greg S Stadium | Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Tottenham were handed the chance to pile serious pressure on West Ham in the battle for survival after the Hammers’ controversial home defeat by Arsenal on Sunday. Watch | Video by Chris Cowlin   When Mathys Tel fired Spurs ahead with a superb finish, the hosts appeared on course to open up a four-point cushion that would have taken them to the brink of safety. Instead, Tel’s rash attempt at an overhead kick inside his own penalty area gifted the visitors a needless spot-kick, which Dominic Calvert-Lewin dispatched with conviction. Spurs pushed hard during a frantic closing spell However, they also owed plenty to goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky, who had already produced an excellent save to deny Joe Rodon in the first half before reacting brilliantly to tip Sean Longstaff’s effort on to the crossbar. It was a display that spoke volumes for the young k...

Barcelona 2 - 0 Real Madrid Marcus Rashford struck a superb free-kick as Barcelona defeated rivals Real Madrid to clinch their 29th La Liga title Author | Josh T Stadium | Nou Camp Rashford opened the scoring before Ferran Torres added a second with an accomplished finish as Hansi Flick's side eased to victory in El Clasico at the Nou Camp. Both goalscorers ran to embrace their head coach in an emotional moment following the death of Flick's father at the weekend. Barcelona remain seven titles behind record champions Real Madrid, but they have now secured back-to-back Spanish league crowns. What contributed to a memorable achievement for Barca An 11-match winning streak in La Liga has carried them clear at the top, with a 14-point advantage now beyond the reach of their closest challengers. Their dominance at home has been central to the triumph, with this latest success marking an 18th win from 18 league games in front of their own supporters. Watch | Atmosphere in the stands ...

 Aston Villa 4 - 0 Nottingham Forest (Aston Villa won 4-1 on aggregate) A memorable night for Villa as they progress to their first European final since winning the European Cup in the 1980s. Author |  Jay Dean Stadium |  Villa Park The home side swept aside Nottingham Forest to reach the Europa League final and move within touching distance of ending a 30-year wait for major silverware. A late double from John McGinn, added to an Emi Buendia penalty and an early strike from Ollie Watkins, completed Villa’s comeback after last week’s 1-0 first-leg defeat. The hosts will face SC Freiburg in the final in Istanbul on 20 May after the Bundesliga side edged past Braga 4-3 on aggregate.  Watch | Pre match vibes at Villa Park Villa manager Unai Emery is pursuing a fifth Europa League crown, having built a formidable reputation in the competition before arriving at Villa Park. Success would deliver the club’s first major trophy since the 1996 League Cup and secure q...

Bayern Munich 1 - 1 PSG (PSG won 6-5 on aggregate) Paris Saint-Germain set up a Champions League Final meeting with Arsenal after overcoming Bayern Munich Author | Ed Stadium | Allianz Arena The second leg of the semi-final did not reach the extraordinary heights of the first encounter in Paris, when Luis Enrique's holders established a 5-4 advantage before travelling to Munich. Harry Kane scored his 55th goal of the season deep into stoppage time for Bayern, but it offered little comfort on a night of deep frustration for Vincent Kompany's side. Replicating the breathtaking standards of the first leg was always likely to prove impossible, yet the contest still carried quality, intensity and chances at both ends. Watch | Highlights from PSG YouTube account PSG struck with their first meaningful attack After only three minutes, Georgian forward Khvicha Kvaratskhelia produced a brilliant run and cross for Ousmane Dembele to finish emphatically . Roared on by a fierce atmosphere, ...

Arsenal 1 - 0 Atletico Madrid (Arsenal won 2-1 on aggregate) Arsenal reached their first Champions League final in two decades as Bukayo Saka’s decisive strike secured a 2-1 aggregate victory over Atletico Madrid. Author |  DJ Stadium |  Emirates Stadium Mikel Arteta’s side fell at the semi-final stage to eventual winners Paris St-Germain last season, but there was no repeat this time. Saka’s intervention kept alive hopes of a Premier League and Champions League double. A fantastic Champions League night for Arteta and Arsenal With the tie poised at 1-1 following the first leg, a tense atmosphere settled over Emirates Stadium and clear chances were initially scarce. The breakthrough arrived just before the interval when Saka reacted quickest, turning in from close range after Jan Oblak had parried Leandro Trossard’s effort, with Viktor Gyokeres instrumental in the build-up. Atletico threatened sporadically. Declan Rice produced a crucial last-ditch tackle to deny Giuliano Sime...

Inter Milan 2 - 0 Parma Inter Milan clinched their 21st Serie A title with a convincing win over Parma. Author | Ed  Stadium |  San Siro Requiring only a point to seal the Scudetto with three matches remaining, goals from Marcus Thuram and Henrikh Mkhitaryan ensured there would be no delay. The result moves Inter 12 points clear of reigning champions Napoli. Thuram broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, driving a precise right-footed effort beyond Parma goalkeeper Zion Suzuki. The hosts had to remain patient for a second, which arrived 10 minutes from time when Lautaro Martinez squared for the 37-year-old Mkhitaryan to finish from close range. Blue and gold ribbons were scattered across the pitch at full-time as Inter head coach Cristian Chivu celebrated his first major honour in management, adding to the three Serie A titles he won during his playing career with the club. READ MORE |  Football news from across Italy on European Super Football Chivu had spok...

Nottingham Forest 1 - 0 Aston Villa Chris Wood handed Nottingham Forest a valuable lead in their Europa League semi-final against Aston Villa. Author | Kieran M Stadium | The City Ground The striker converted from the spot in the 71st minute, after a costly handball from Lucas Digne, to give Vitor Pereira’s side a narrow advantage to defend in next week’s second leg at Villa Park. It marked the 200th goal of Wood’s career, a notable milestone in what has otherwise been a disrupted season following six months out with a knee injury. A closer look at what happened Forest might have been in front earlier but for a superb intervention from Emi Martinez, who clawed Igor Jesus’s effort off the line after 33 minutes. Villa, who won 3-1 at Villa Park in the Premier League in January, now face the task of overturning the deficit as Unai Emery pursues a fifth Europa League title. Stefan Ortega produced a series of saves before the break, denying both Youri Tielemans and Morgan Rogers, and he rem...

Atletico Madrid 1 - 1 Arsenal Arsenal and Atletico Madrid scored a penalty each in a first-leg draw that leaves their Champions League semi-final in the balance Author | DJ Stadium | Metropolitano Viktor Gyokeres won and converted a spot-kick for the visitors a minute before the break after going down under a challenge from David Hancko. But Julian Alvarez levelled 11 minutes into the second half, scoring from the spot after a video assistant referee review. Substitute Eberechi Eze thought he had won Arsenal a second penalty late on when he appeared to beat Hancko to the ball inside the area, but the decision was overturned following another VAR check. Both sides looked quietly content at full-time with all still to play for next week.  The game began as a cagey affair Neither side was looking to concede an early advantage. It was very different to the previous night's match between PSG and Bayern.  PSG and Bayern play out an all-time classic eurosuperfootball.blogsp...

PSG 5 - 4 Bayern Munich Paris Saint-Germain edged a nine-goal thriller against Bayern Munich in Paris to take a narrow advantage in their Champions League semi-final. Author | Jack L Stadium |  Parc des Princes Five goals arrived in a breathless first half and the drama continued after the interval as the holders stretched into a three-goal lead. Bayern, already crowned Bundesliga champions and chasing a Treble, reduced the deficit to one to leave the tie finely poised ahead of the second leg in Munich. With the competition’s two most prolific sides meeting, it felt appropriate that a lively crowd witnessed such a high-quality, attack-minded contest. A closer analysis of what happened Having fallen behind to Harry Kane’s penalty after Luis Diaz was fouled by William Pacho, PSG responded with authority. Khvicha Kvaratskhelia cut in from the left and guided a fine effort into the far corner before Joao Neves headed the hosts in front. Bayern replied through a moment of individual br...

Chelsea 1 - 0 Leeds United  Enzo Fernández’s first-half header proved decisive in a scrappy FA Cup semi-final against Leeds United at Wembley Author | Lauren W Stadium | Wembley Stadium Following the dismissal of Liam Rosenior, Calum McFarlane has been placed in interim charge until the end of the season and will now lead Chelsea into a final against Manchester City on Saturday 16 May. Leeds, chasing a first FA Cup final appearance since their 1973 defeat by Sunderland, were left to rue missed opportunities that might have shifted the balance of a tight contest. Watch | Key moments of the match from Emirates FA Cup YouTube account Daniel Farke’s side carved out the first clear chance when Brenden Aaronson broke through from Dominic Calvert-Lewin’s touch, only for Robert Sánchez to deny him with an important save low to his legs. That miss quickly proved costly for Leeds Chelsea took the lead after 23 minutes when Fernández met Pedro Neto’s cross with a firm header that gave Lucas P...

Getafe 0 - 2 Barcelona Marcus Rashford was on target as Barcelona tightened their grip on a second successive La Liga title with victory over Getafe. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio Coliseum The on-loan Manchester United forward finished a sweeping counterattack in the second half, with Hansi Flick’s side capitalising on Real Madrid’s surprise 1-1 draw with Real Betis on Friday night. Barcelona are now 11 points clear of their rivals with five games remaining as they close in on a 29th title. A closer analysis of what happened Fermin Lopez had given them the lead just before the interval, the masked attacking midfielder played through by an incisive pass from Pedri. Watch | Highlights from Barcelona YouTube channel They were without Lamine Yamal after the teenager’s season was ended by a hamstring injury sustained in the midweek win over Celta Vigo, and Rashford began on the bench before replacing Roony Bardghji on the hour. Getafe, chasing a European place, committed bodies forw...

Rochdale 1 - 1 York City  York have sealed a return to the EFL in extraordinary fashion, scoring in the 13th minute of stoppage time to snatch a draw at Rochdale. Author | Alex W Stadium | Spotland The National League’s top two sides had amassed a combined 212 points going into this final-day meeting, with York knowing they simply needed to avoid defeat to secure promotion to League Two. It appeared Emmanuel Dieseruwe had written himself into Rochdale folklore, rising at the back post to head home in the fifth minute of added time.  The cross into the box was amazing and there was absolute mayhem all over the ground. Supporters spilled on to the pitch in celebration, convinced they had witnessed a promotion-winning moment. After a lengthy delay, play eventually resumed and York committed everyone forward. From the ensuing scramble, Josh Stones drove the ball goalwards. A defender produced a desperate block on the line, but the assistant referee signalled that the ball had cros...

It could be a dramatic end to the season at the bottom of the Premier League From anguish on Saturday evening to a measure of relief by Monday. Spurs fans have been through it all.  Author | Greg S It has been a trying season for Tottenham supporters, but after watching their side concede a late equaliser at home to Brighton, there was at least some consolation in West Ham’s failure to make the most of their opportunity at Crystal Palace. The Hammers’ draw at Selhurst Park leaves things largely unchanged, with Spurs still two points adrift of safety as they continue their battle to avoid a first top-flight relegation since 1977. Spurs need to avoid an unwanted record Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi struck a defiant tone after Saturday’s draw with Brighton & Hove Albion, insisting his side are “able to win five games in a row” before the end of the season. Yet for all De Zerbi’s belief in his players, little in this campaign points to a team capable of such a run. Spurs are w...

Bayern Munich 4 - 2 Stuttgart Bayern Munich came from behind to overcome Stuttgart, sealing a 35th Bundesliga title in typically emphatic fashion. Author | Ed Stadium | Allianz Arena Having lost just once all season, Bayern required only a point after closest challengers Borussia Dortmund were beaten at Hoffenheim on Saturday night. For a while, though, Stuttgart threatened to delay the celebrations. Chris Führich gave the visitors the lead after 21 minutes with a fine curling finish that briefly silenced the home crowd. The response was swift and decisive. Raphaël Guerreiro levelled 10 minutes later, before Nicolas Jackson, starting in place of Harry Kane, turned the game on its head within two minutes.  Alphonso Davies extended the lead before the interval, showing quick thinking to divert the ball past Alexander Nübel after a delivery from Luis Díaz. Watch | Highlights from the official Bundesliga YouTube account Kane, introduced at half-time in place of Jamal Musiala, needed on...

Celtic 6 - 2 St Mirren Celtic will face Dunfermline Athletic in next month’s Scottish Cup final after a breathless eight-goal encounter with St Mirren Author | Sean M Stadium | Hampden Park With the match poised at 2-2, four goals in six minutes overwhelmed the Paisley side, who had recovered from two down to force the additional period. In extra time, a rapid double from substitute Kelechi Iheanacho, first with a header and then a composed finish, alongside a strike from Luke McCowan, broke St Mirren’s resistance. Benjamin Nygren then added further gloss, the Sweden international guiding in his 20th goal of an impressive debut season. The result sets up a meeting between Martin O’Neill and his former midfield lieutenant Neil Lennon, echoing the 2007 final, when Dunfermline were beaten 1-0 in their last appearance in the showpiece. It was a harsh outcome on St Mirren, and particularly their 17-year-old goalkeeper, who had responded admirably after his side conceded in both the opening ...

Atletico Madrid 2 - 2 Real Sociedad (Real Sociedad won 4-2 on penalties) Real Sociedad beat Atletico Madrid on penalties to claim a fourth Copa del Rey title. Author | Jack L Stadium | Estadio La Cartuja de Sevilla Atletico twice fought back to force the final into extra time and then a shootout, but Unai Marrero saved two spot-kicks to earn Sociedad their first trophy since 2020. Sociedad had stunned Diego Simeone’s side with the fastest goal in a Copa del Rey final, Ander Barrenetxea glancing Goncalo Guedes’ cross into the corner after just 14 seconds. That lead was wiped out when Ademola Lookman slotted home low on 18 minutes, yet Mikel Oyarzabal restored Sociedad’s advantage from the penalty spot in first-half stoppage time after Juan Musso caught Guedes while attempting to punch clear. Watch | Pre match TIFO from the Sociedad stands Atletico carried the greater threat after the interval and were rewarded when Julian Alvarez struck brilliantly from the edge of the area into the...

Aston Villa 4 - 0 Bologna (Villa won 7-1 on aggregate) Aston Villa set up an all-English Europa League semi-final with Nottingham Forest after completing a commanding victory against Bologna. Author | Peter Grainger  Stadium | Aston Villa Already 3-1 up from the first leg, tournament favourites Villa produced a statement display under four-time Europa League-winning manager Unai Emery to take another step closer to ending a 30-year trophy drought. Watch | Pre match vibes and atmosphere It only took the Premier League side 16 minutes to increase their advantage in the tie as Ollie Watkins - the star of the first leg - applied the finishing touch on a wonderful team move to score his 100th goal for the club in all competitions. Morgan Rogers then had his spot-kick saved by Bologna goalkeeper Federico Ravaglia after Martin Vitik's handball inside the box but Villa pulled away further 44 seconds later through Emiliano Buendia. With the Bologna defence switching off, Buendia latched on ...

Arsenal 0 - 0 Sporting (Arsenal won 1-0 on aggregate) Arsenal secured their place in the Champions League semi-finals after a tense goalless draw with Sporting. Author | DJ Stadium | Emirates Stadium Holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg, courtesy of Kai Havertz’s late strike in Portugal, Mikel Arteta’s side did enough to progress and book their spot in the last four. Watch | Pre match atmosphere Arsenal began on the front foot and saw plenty of the ball early on, but it was Sporting who created the clearer openings before the break. Francisco Trincao and Pedro Goncalves both threatened, while a misplaced pass from David Raya briefly invited danger. The closest moment arrived when Geny Catamo struck the post with a well-taken volley after being picked out by Maxi Araujo. There was an undercurrent of anxiety around the stadium as the contest wore on, with Arsenal protecting a narrow lead following their Premier League defeat by Bournemouth last weekend. Sporting continued to probe ...

Liverpool 0 - 2 (PSG won 4-0 on aggregate) Ousmane Dembele scored twice as Paris Saint-Germain overcame Liverpool to secure a place in the Champions League semi-finals Author | William G Stadium | Anfield PSG arrived at Anfield with a two-goal cushion but were pushed hard in a raucous atmosphere before Dembele struck in the 72nd minute with a superb left-footed finish. He added a second in stoppage time to seal the tie. Driven on by the crowd, Liverpool searched for another famous European comeback, but Arne Slot’s side could not find a way past the reigning European champions and, for the second successive season, were eliminated by PSG. Liverpool's players couldn't take advantage of a raucous Anfield atmosphere After a subdued display in Paris, where they lost 2-0, Liverpool were much improved at Anfield and posed more of a threat, though ultimately fell short. Slot handed Alexander Isak his first start since December and again left Mohamed Salah on the bench. Salah was intro...