Football

Real Madrid's legendary midfielder Toni Kroos bid farewell to the Santiago Bernabeu in his final La Liga appearance for the club on Saturday, as the Spanish champions played out a 0-0 draw against Real Betis.Kroos, 34, announced his retirement from international football after Euro 2024, and his departure from Real Madrid marks the end of an illustrious 10-year spell at the Bernabeu. The German maestro has been an integral part of Real Madrid's success in recent years, winning five Champions League titles, three La Liga crowns, and numerous other trophies."It's not easy, I can only say thanks to Madrid, the club, my team-mates, to the stadium, I've always felt at home here in these 10 years, I can't ask for more, they've been 10 unforgettable years," said an emotional Kroos after the match.The draw against Betis was a fitting end to a triumphant campaign for Real Madrid, who have already secured the La Liga title. Carlo Ancelotti fielded a strong side, but with nothing at stake, the players did not push themselves too hard.Madrid finished the season with only one league defeat and were unbeaten at the Bernabeu. Atletico Madrid, fourth, finished their campaign with a 2-0 win at Real Sociedad, while Athletic Bilbao beat Rayo Vallecano 1-0.Relegated Almeria earned only their third win of the season to move off the bottom of the table, thrashing Cadiz 6-1. Villarreal striker Alexander Sorloth limped off injured in his team's 1-1 draw against Osasuna, leaving the golden boot in the hands of Girona striker Artem Dovbyk, who scored a hat-trick on Friday to move to 24 goals, one ahead of the Norwegian.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) capped off a remarkable season by securing a domestic treble with a 2-1 victory over Olympique Lyonnais in the French Cup final on Saturday. The Ligue 1 and French Super Cup champions dominated the first half at Lille's Stade Pierre-Mauroy, extending their record-breaking Cup title count to 15.Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring for PSG in the 23rd minute, capitalizing on a cross from Nuno Mendes to head home from close range. Fabian Ruiz doubled the advantage just minutes later, firing a shot from a tight angle that found the back of the net.Lyon fought back in the second half, with Jake O'Brien reducing the deficit with a towering header from a corner. However, PSG goalkeeper Gianluigi Donnarumma produced a superb save to deny Lyon an equalizer.Despite the absence of Kylian Mbappe, who failed to find the net in his final game for the club, PSG held on to secure the victory. The French superstar leaves PSG with an impressive record of 256 goals in 308 appearances over his seven-year spell.PSG's triumph marks their first French Cup title since 2021 and completes a historic treble for the club. They have now won all three major domestic trophies in France this season, adding to their Ligue 1 and French Super Cup victories.

Barcelona's women's team has reached the pinnacle of European football by claiming their third UEFA Women's Champions League title. The Catalan giants defeated eight-time champions Lyon 2-0 in a thrilling final at the San Mames Stadium in Bilbao, Spain.The victory marks a historic moment for Barcelona, who had previously lost to Lyon in the 2019 and 2022 finals. This triumph completes a remarkable quadruple for the team, who have also won the Spanish Primera División, Copa de la Reina, and Supercopa de España this season.Aitana Bonmati opened the scoring for Barcelona in the 63rd minute, capitalizing on a clever pass from Mariona Caldentey. Substitute Alexia Putellas sealed the victory in stoppage time with a stunning strike into the top corner.Barcelona's victory is a testament to their dominance in women's football. The team has assembled a squad of world-class players, including Ballon d'Or winners Putellas and Bonmati. Their attacking prowess and defensive solidity have made them a formidable force in Europe.Lyon, who have been the dominant force in women's football for over a decade, were unable to match Barcelona's intensity and quality on the night. The French giants missed the services of star striker Ada Hegerberg, who was left on the bench due to injury.Barcelona's victory is a significant moment for women's football. It shows that the gap between the top teams in Europe is narrowing, and that Barcelona are now the team to beat. The Catalan giants will be looking to continue their dominance in the years to come and establish themselves as the undisputed queens of European football.

Manchester United pulled off a stunning upset in the FA Cup final, defeating Manchester City 2-1 to claim their 13th title. The victory was a testament to the resilience and determination of a team that had endured a disappointing Premier League campaign.With speculation swirling about the future of manager Erik Ten Hag, United produced a performance that defied expectations. Teenagers Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored first-half goals to give United a commanding lead. City, who were bidding to become the first club to win the double in successive seasons, were left stunned.Despite a second-half siege from City, United held on for a famous victory. Jeremy Doku's late goal set up a nervy finale, but United's defense stood firm to secure the trophy.The victory was a major boost for Ten Hag, who had faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks. It also provided a glimmer of hope for United fans, who have endured a difficult season.Garnacho, who became the first Argentine to score in the Cup final since Ricky Villa for Tottenham Hotspur in 1981, said: "Incredible. Nobody believed in us. But we're a team, all together. We fought, the game of our lives."The build-up to the final had been dominated by talk of the chasm between the two Manchester clubs. City had won an unprecedented fourth successive English title, while United were suffering their worst Premier League campaign.However, on the day, United showed that they were not ready to be written off. They played with passion and determination, and they deserved their victory.The victory was a major boost for Ten Hag, who had faced intense scrutiny in recent weeks. It also provided a glimmer of hope for United fans, who have endured a difficult season.

Erik ten Hag's tactical brilliance led Manchester United to a stunning 2-1 victory over Manchester City in the FA Cup final, potentially saving his job and sparking comparisons to legendary manager Alex Ferguson.Despite a turbulent season, Ten Hag's team executed a masterclass, neutralizing Pep Guardiola's City side with a deep defensive block and clinical counterattacks. Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo scored first-half goals to put United in control.City's double bid was shattered as they struggled to break down United's resolute defense. Jeremy Doku's late strike provided a glimmer of hope, but it was too little, too late.Ten Hag's triumph echoes Ferguson's 1990 FA Cup win against Crystal Palace, which kick-started his remarkable reign. United shareholder Jim Ratcliffe, who has been linked with potential replacements, witnessed the Dutchman's triumph.Despite finishing eighth in the Premier League and crashing out of the Champions League, Ten Hag has now won two trophies in three cup final appearances. He believes injuries were the root of United's problems and points to his success in cup competitions as proof of his capabilities.United's victory also secures Europa League qualification, avoiding a season without European action. City, on the other hand, looked hungover after their Premier League title celebrations and failed to match their usual intensity.Ten Hag's tactical masterclass has given United fans hope for the future. His ability to motivate his team and outsmart Guardiola has earned him a stay of execution and potentially a longer tenure at Old Trafford.

Manchester City and Manchester United, two of England's most storied clubs, will clash in the highly anticipated FA Cup Final at Wembley Stadium on Saturday, May 25. The match promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with both teams eager to add another trophy to their illustrious histories.Manchester City, the reigning Premier League champions, are the clear favorites heading into the final. Pep Guardiola's side has been in scintillating form this season, winning the league title with a record-breaking 100 points. They are also looking to become the first team to win the league and FA Cup in successive seasons since Arsenal in 2002.Manchester United, on the other hand, have endured a disappointing campaign, finishing eighth in the Premier League. However, they have shown signs of improvement under interim manager Ralf Rangnick and will be determined to end the season on a high note.The two Manchester rivals have a long and storied history, with their matches often referred to as the "Manchester Derby." City has had the upper hand in recent years, winning six of their past seven meetings in all competitions.The FA Cup Final is one of the most prestigious events in English football, and both teams will be desperate to lift the trophy. City will be looking to continue their dominance, while United will be hoping to salvage something from a disappointing season.The match will be played at Wembley Stadium in London, which has a capacity of over 90,000. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:30 PM IST, and the match will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network.

Girona capped off their historic La Liga campaign with a resounding 7-0 victory over relegated Granada on Friday, securing third place and a spot in the Champions League for the first time.Artem Dovbyk, on loan from Dnipro-1, stole the show with a hat-trick, reclaiming the lead in the league's goalscoring charts. The Ukrainian striker's treble propelled him to 24 goals for the season, one ahead of Villarreal's Alexander Sorloth.Michel's side, already assured of a top-three finish, dominated the match from the outset. Eric Garcia, on loan from Barcelona, opened the scoring on the half-hour mark, followed by goals from Viktor Tsygankov and Dovbyk's first-half penalty.Tsygankov extended Girona's lead nine minutes into the second half, before Dovbyk and Cristhian Stuani added to Granada's misery. Manchester United loanee Facundo Pellistri was sent off for two yellow cards, compounding Granada's woes.Dovbyk sealed his hat-trick with a second penalty in the 90th minute, securing his place as La Liga's top scorer. Girona's victory was a fitting end to a remarkable season, which saw them qualify for Europe's elite club competition for the first time in their history.

Indian football team head coach Igor Stimac anticipates a packed Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata for the country's crucial World Cup qualification match against Kuwait on June 6. This match will also mark the final international appearance for legendary captain Sunil Chhetri.Chhetri's 19-year international career will culminate in this match, where he will retire as India's all-time leading scorer with 94 goals. He will also leave the field as the most-capped player, having played in 151 matches.A victory against Kuwait would significantly boost India's chances of reaching the third round of the World Cup qualifiers for the first time. "Considering the significance of the game, with us potentially a win away from qualifying for the third round and it being Sunil Chhetri's farewell game, we expect the Salt Lake Stadium to be packed," said Stimac."I am confident that our supporters will travel from all over India to Kolkata to support our team and bid farewell to Sunil. I am certain it will be an emotional occasion, and hopefully, we can celebrate together after the final whistle," he added.The team has been training in Kolkata for two weeks, focusing on fitness and game tactics. "The players are progressing well. A long camp has proven beneficial in the past. We are working on both offensive and defensive aspects of the game," said Stimac."Our fitness levels are improving daily, and we are now focusing on tactics. From Monday onwards, we will work on positioning, set pieces, and transitions."The Blue Tigers were initially scheduled to depart for Kolkata on June 2 but have moved their travel date to May 29 to acclimatize to the city's conditions. "It's hot and humid here, but we are enjoying every training session. The facilities and hospitality are excellent. However, we have decided to leave for Kolkata earlier to adjust to the humidity better and prepare for the crucial game," said Stimac.

Barcelona has parted ways with coach Xavi Hernandez after a disappointing season that saw the Catalan giants fail to win a single trophy. Xavi will oversee the team's final La Liga match on Sunday at Sevilla before departing.The decision to sack Xavi was made by Barcelona president Joan Laporta, who informed the coach that he would not continue in his role for the 2024-25 season. Former Bayern Munich and Germany coach Hansi Flick is the frontrunner to replace Xavi.Xavi's departure marks a swift reversal from his earlier commitment to stay with Barcelona for the next campaign. In April, he and Laporta agreed to extend his contract, which was set to expire in June 2025. However, the situation changed abruptly after Xavi's comments suggesting that Barcelona's financial struggles made it difficult to compete with elite European clubs.Barcelona expressed gratitude for Xavi's contributions as coach, acknowledging his legendary status as a player and captain. The club wished him well in his future endeavors and announced that the new coaching structure for the first team staff would be revealed soon.Despite winning La Liga last season, Barcelona failed to defend their title this campaign. They were eliminated from the Champions League in the quarter-finals by Paris Saint-Germain, suffered a humiliating defeat to Real Madrid in the Spanish Super Cup final, and lost to Athletic Bilbao in the Copa del Rey.Xavi's departure leaves Barcelona facing a crucial period of transition. The club must now find a suitable replacement who can restore their competitiveness and guide them back to trophy-winning ways.