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Showing posts with the label 25/26 season

Can Arsenal build on a successful season?

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"Pain." The word from Mikel Arteta in his post-match news conference when asked to sum up the Champions League final defeat to Paris St-Germain in Budapest. Author | DJ Today, Arsenal will board an open-top bus parade to celebrate their Premier League title, less than 24 hours after the agony of their Champions League final defeat. The Gunners, who arrived at Saturday's showpiece unbeaten in Europe this season, missed out on the chance to become European Invincibles after losing to Paris St-Germain in a penalty shootout. There is no doubt Arsenal will be hurting, but they will return from Hungary before joining supporters in marking a campaign that has delivered plenty to celebrate. Before the final, Mikel Arteta spoke of using the club's Premier League triumph as a springboard towards even greater achievements and further silverware. Instead, his side fell just short in their pursuit of a first European crown, in what was their first final in the competition since 20...

PSG have won the Champions League again

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Paris St-Germain 1-1 Arsenal (PSG won 4-3 on penalties) PSG have won the Champions League for the second year in a row. Author | DJ Stadium | Puskás ArĂ©na It was heartbreak for Arsenal as they miss two penalties in the shootout - Eberechi Eze fired wide and Gabriel shot over. David Raya had managed to save from Nuno Mendes, but it was not enough for Arteta’s side. By lifting the trophy once again, PSG have become the first team to successfully defend the Champions League since Real Madrid's remarkable run of three consecutive titles between 2016 and 2018, and only the second club to achieve the feat in the Champions League era, which began in 1993. Across the competition's 71-year history, PSG are just the 10th club to win back-to-back European titles. Notably, all 10 outfield players who started PSG's victory over Arsenal also began last season's final triumph against Inter Milan, underlining the continuity at the heart of their success. The only change since last seas...

Arsenal and PSG look to make history in 2026 Champions League final

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Arsenal v PSG | Champions League final preview  The 2026 UEFA Champions League final sees Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest Author | DJ Stadium | Puskás ArĂ©na Only nine clubs have completed an unbeaten Champions League campaign and Arsenal are now one match away from joining them. Standing in their path are reigning champions PSG, the first holders to return to the final since Real Madrid defended the trophy in 2016/17 and 2017/18. How PSG won last season's Champions League. eurosuperfootball.blogspot.com/2025/05/psg-... [image or embed] — European Super Football ( @eurosuperfootball.bsky.social ) 29 May 2026 at 09:18 The showpiece occasion revisits last season’s semi-final, when Luis Enrique’s side won both legs to overcome Arsenal 3-1 on aggregate before dismantling Inter Milan 5-0 in the final to secure the trophy for the first time. Across the clubs’ five meetings in this competition, however, those remain PSG’s only victories. Arsenal won during last seaso...

Crystal Palace win UEFA Conference League

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Crystal Palace 1 - 0 Rayo Vallecano Jean-Philippe Mateta fired Crystal Palace to their first European trophy as the Eagles edged past Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final. Author | Ajay Stadium | Red Bull Arena The French striker turned in the rebound from an Adam Wharton effort early in the second half in Leipzig to seal a famous victory. Outgoing Palace manager Oliver Glasner departs having guided the club to the FA Cup, Community Shield and now the Conference League during a remarkable two-and-a-half-year spell at Selhurst Park. Before the game, inside and outside the stadium, both sets of fans created an incredible atmosphere. This only added to what was going to be a historic occasion. With both sides contesting their first European final, a cautious opening at Red Bull Arena, home of RB Leipzig, felt understandable. Alemao dragged a decent opportunity wide before Unai Lopez curled an effort just past the post in the Spanish side’s best moments of the first half. The clea...

Kane stars again as Bayern clinch league and cup double

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Bayern Munich 3 - 0 Stuttgart Harry Kane scored a second-half hat-trick as Bayern Munich beat Stuttgart in the German Cup final to complete a league and cup double. Author | Ed Stadium | Olympiastadion After a goalless first half in Berlin, the England captain stooped to head home Michael Olise's cross at the back post to put Vincent Kompany's side ahead in the 55th minute. The former Tottenham Hotspur striker added his second 10 minutes from time, turning smartly onto Luis Diaz's pass before finishing calmly. He then converted a stoppage-time penalty to seal victory and complete his second hat-trick in as many matches. Kane's goals in the final cap a remarkable season with Bayern The striker ends the campaign on an extraordinary 61 goals in 51 appearances. After Bayern retained the Bundesliga title earlier in May and lifted the German Supercup last August, Kane has now collected four trophies since joining the German champions in the summer of 2023. What ultimately pro...

West Ham relegated despite final day win

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West Ham United 3 - 0 Leeds United West Ham’s 14-year stay in the Premier League came to an end despite a final-day victory over Leeds United Author | Jamie Pugh Stadium | London Stadium The Hammers needed to beat Leeds and rely on Tottenham losing to Everton if they were to preserve their top-flight status. A closer analysis of how West Ham were relegated For long periods, it appeared they would not even manage the first part of that equation. In sweltering conditions, West Ham produced a sluggish display, with the mood darkened further by Tottenham taking a first-half lead against Everton. The breakthrough the home support had been waiting for finally arrived in the 67th minute when Taty Castellanos rose at the back post to head home Jarrod Bowen’s corner. West Ham found a second with 11 minutes remaining as Bowen drilled a composed angled finish into the far corner. Substitute Callum Wilson added a third in stoppage time, ensuring Graham Potter’s side had done all they could, but at...

Arsenal on the brink of first title since 2004

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Arsenal 1 - 0 Burnley Arsenal moved closer to their first Premier League title since 2004 after a tense and nervy night in North London Author | DJ Stadium | Emirates Stadium Watch | full-time scenes The only thing that mattered for Arsenal here was the result. By beating Burnley here, Arsenal have now left Manchester City with virtually no margin for error. A closer look at a potentially pivotal night for Mikel Arteta and his players Before kick-off, Arsenal supporters unveiled a banner reading "three games to make history" in reference to their two remaining Premier League fixtures and the Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on 30 May. Fans also created a fantastic atmosphere outside the stadium As Arsenal have navigated the pressure of the title race in recent weeks, manager Mikel Arteta has spoken about relying on intuition when making some of his major selection calls. He trusted those instincts again here, naming an attack-minded line-up fe...

West Ham's survival hopes hanging by a thread

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Newcastle United 3 - 1 West Ham United West Ham’s survival hopes are hanging by a thread after a deeply damaging defeat by Newcastle. Author | Jamie Pugh Stadium | St. James' Park Nuno Espirito Santo’s side had the opportunity to climb out of the Premier League relegation zone and heap the pressure back on Tottenham Hotspur with victory at St James’ Park before the Hammers’ rivals face Chelsea on Tuesday evening. Instead, with their vastly inferior goal difference leaving little margin for error, West Ham now require Chelsea to win at Stamford Bridge if they are to retain any realistic hope of survival heading into the final day after this 3-1 defeat on Tyneside. The visitors never truly recovered after conceding twice in quick succession during the first half on Sunday. Watch | Post match reaction from Jarrod Bowen A closer analysis of what happened and why West Ham were the architects of their own downfall for Newcastle’s opener when goalkeeper Mads Hermansen overhit a pass towar...

Celtic champions as Hearts miss out on historic title

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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 remain in relegation danger

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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 beat Real Madrid to clinch La Liga title

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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 on brink of first trophy in 30 years

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 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...

PSG reach another Champions League final

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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 reach Champions League final after memorable night in North London

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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 win Serie A after win over Parma

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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...

A small but valuable first-leg lead for Forest over Villa

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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...

Penalty controversy sees Arsenal draw at Atletico

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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 and Bayern play out an all time classic

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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 reach FA Cup final

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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...

Rashford shines as Barca move closer to title

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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...