Football

Barcelona's young midfielder Fermin Lopez emerged as the hero on Thursday, scoring a brace to secure a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Almeria in La Liga. The 21-year-old's goals propelled him to 10 for the season, a remarkable achievement in his breakthrough campaign.Despite Barcelona's struggles throughout the match, Lopez's timely interventions proved decisive. In the 14th minute, he capitalized on Hector Fort's cross to head home the opening goal. Almeria's Leo Baptistao squandered a golden opportunity to equalize, firing wide when well-positioned.Barcelona's dominance continued in the second half, with Lamine Yamal and Sergi Roberto threatening Almeria's defense. Lopez sealed the victory in the 67th minute, finishing off Roberto's cut-back with aplomb.The win keeps Barcelona in contention for second place, four points ahead of Girona. However, the Catalans' performance against the already-relegated Almeria was far from convincing.Prior to the match, Spanish media reported that Barcelona president Joan Laporta had skipped the trip to Almeria due to his dissatisfaction with coach Xavi Hernandez's pre-match comments. Xavi had highlighted the club's financial difficulties in comparison to Real Madrid's strength.Despite the off-field distractions, Barcelona managed to secure the three points. Lopez's goalscoring exploits have been a bright spot in an otherwise disappointing season for the Catalans.

Manchester City stand on the cusp of history as they aim to secure an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title on Sunday. Pep Guardiola's side, who have dominated English football in recent years, are two points clear of Arsenal heading into the final round of fixtures.A victory over West Ham at the Etihad Stadium would seal the title for City, while a draw or defeat would leave the door open for Arsenal if they beat Everton. Should City triumph, they would become the first team in English top-flight history to win four successive titles.The achievement would be all the more remarkable considering the dominance of Liverpool in the 1970s and 1980s, Manchester United under Alex Ferguson, and Arsenal's 'Invincibles' team. England forward Phil Foden believes that such a feat may never be repeated."It's history and I don't think I can ever see it being done again," said Foden, who was named Football Writers' Association Player of the Year. "It's something the team knows, the team understands and we're looking forward to trying to get it done."City's quest for a fourth title comes after a remarkable season in which they won the Premier League, Champions League, and FA Cup. They are now chasing the double this term, with the FA Cup final against Manchester United on May 25.Foden, who missed the FWA ceremony to focus on City's preparations, is eager to add to his trophy collection. "If we can win these next two finals, then go into the tournament (Euro 2024) full of confidence," he said."We'll give everything to try and achieve success and try and do the Premier League four times which has never been done before. It would mean a lot to us."City's success has been built on a foundation of attacking football and a relentless pursuit of trophies. Guardiola has instilled a winning mentality in his players, who have consistently performed at the highest level.Should City secure the title on Sunday, they will cement their place as one of the greatest teams in English football history. Their achievement would be a testament to the brilliance of Guardiola and the exceptional talent of his players.

World champion N'Golo Kante will make a surprise return to international football as France coach Didier Deschamps announced Thursday the 25 players that will make up the French squad at Euro 2024. Kante left English side Chelsea last summer to join Saudi club Al Ittihad and has not represented France since June 2022."He played a full season (Kante struggled with injury during his time with Chelsea), albeit not in a European league, as he is in Saudi Arabia," said Deschamps on French TV channel TF1."He's back to full fitness. With his experience, I'm convinced that the French team will be stronger with N'Golo Kante."The 2018 World Cup winner was the big surprise in Deschamps' squad, but the 33-year-old's experience will doubtless be a help to youngsters Warren Zaire-Emery and Bradley Barcola, who also made the squad after fine seasons at Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.Winger Barcola, 21, is the only uncapped player in the squad but forced his way in with a strong finish to the season, impressing particularly with his performances in the knock-out stages of the Champions League against Real Sociedad and Barcelona.Also making a return to the international fold is Real Madrid defender Ferland Mendy, who has not played for France since September 2022, but has been a regular this term for his club who are on course to complete a Spanish league-Champions League double.Star attacker Kylian Mbappe was also included in the squad, as were Antoine Griezmann, Olivier Giroud and Arsenal defender William Saliba.Mbappe comes into the tournament in fine form, despite uncertainty about where he will play his football next season after confirming he would leave PSG this summer.The France captain has scored 44 goals so far this season and can add to that tally in his team's remaining Ligue 1 match and the French Cup final.After a stunning breakthrough season at PSG, Zaire-Emery earned his first call-up in November of last year, marking the occasion with a goal in a 14-0 rout of Gibraltar."Very happy to be on the list, it's one of the best competitions to play with France and I'm very happy and proud to represent my country," said Zaire-Emery via video link on TF1.The 18-year-old added that he had been granted a special dispensation to sit his final school exams later in order to perform at his best at the Euro during the summer."I asked to be able to do it in September to be calm and focussed on football," said Zaire-Emery.Aurelien Tchouameni, who is a doubt for June's Champions League final, Mike Maignan and Kingsley Coman all made the squad despite currently carrying injuries.PSG's Lucas Hernandez missed out after rupturing his anterior cruciate knee in May.After defeat in the final at home in 2016 and a disappointing early exit in 2021, France come into Euro 2024 among the pre-tournament favourites to win a third European Championship after victory in 1984 and 2000.France will begin their Euro campaign in Germany on June 17 against Austria, before taking on the Netherlands four days later and completing their group-stage matches against Poland on June 25.

The Premier League season reaches its thrilling conclusion on Sunday, with Manchester City poised to make history and Jurgen Klopp bidding farewell to Liverpool.Title Race:Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola, is on the cusp of an unprecedented fourth consecutive Premier League title. A victory over West Ham United will secure the trophy, a feat not achieved in England's top division since 1888. Arsenal, two points behind City, can snatch the title with a win over Everton and a City draw. However, City's impressive form, with 34 matches unbeaten, makes Arsenal's chances seem slim.Klopp's Farewell:Jurgen Klopp's nine-year reign at Liverpool comes to an end at Anfield. The charismatic German has transformed the club, winning eight trophies and restoring its European dominance. Liverpool will aim to give Klopp a fitting sendoff with a victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers.European Qualification:Tottenham Hotspur is set to secure fifth place and a Europa League berth with a point against Sheffield United. Chelsea, Newcastle, and Manchester United are vying for the remaining European spots. Chelsea is in sixth place, followed by Newcastle and United, separated by three points. The sixth-place finisher will likely qualify for the Europa League, while seventh place earns a Europa Conference League spot.Relegation:Luton Town is on the brink of relegation to the Championship. The Hatters need an improbable set of results to avoid the drop, including a home win over Fulham and a Nottingham Forest loss at Burnley, coupled with a significant swing in goal difference.

Sunil Chhetri's journey to becoming India's leading scorer began with a humble contract worth Rs 6500 at a Delhi-based club. His childhood coach, Mohammad Sajid, recalls the moment he handed Chhetri a token amount of Rs 1000, which filled the young player with immense joy.Sajid, who is now the CEO of City Football Club, spotted Chhetri at Mamta Modern Senior Secondary School in Vikaspuri. He recognized Chhetri's potential and offered him his first club contract. In his debut season, Chhetri made an immediate impact by winning the emerging player of the year award.Sajid played a pivotal role in Chhetri's early career. He facilitated a meeting between Chhetri and Nageshwar Rao, a player from City Football Club, which led to Chhetri's move to Mohun Bagan in 1999. Sajid advised Chhetri to remain focused and pursue a professional career outside Delhi, believing that it would be beneficial for his growth.Chhetri's hard work and dedication paid off as he went on to become India's leading scorer with 94 goals in 150 matches. Sajid expressed his pride in Chhetri's achievements, stating that he has played at the highest level for an extended period, which is a testament to his talent and determination.Sajid believes that India currently lacks a player who can replace Chhetri's caliber. He hopes that Chhetri will continue to inspire young players and contribute to Indian football in the future, possibly by joining the All India Football Federation (AIFF) and working towards the development of the sport in the country.

Germany's head coach, Julian Nagelsmann, unveiled his initial 27-man squad for the upcoming European Championship in a unique and inclusive manner. The announcement was made through a video message featuring a diverse group of individuals from various walks of life, reflecting the multicultural fabric of German society.Nagelsmann expressed his satisfaction with the squad, stating that it could have been his own selection. He emphasized the importance of involving the public in the announcement, as it showcased the team's connection to the nation and its aspirations for success in the home tournament.The squad largely maintains the core group that Nagelsmann has been developing since March. Despite strong performances in the season's latter stages, Borussia Dortmund's Mats Hummels and Bayern Munich's Leon Goretzka were not included. However, Hummels' teammate Nico Schlotterbeck returns to the fold after an absence since September.Schlotterbeck and Dortmund teammate Niclas Füllkrug will join the squad later due to their involvement in the Champions League final. Real Madrid's Toni Kroos and Antonio Rüdiger, also named in the squad, will also join the team after the final.Nagelsmann acknowledged that the late arrival of these players will pose some challenges in training, but he expressed confidence in their ability to contribute to the team's success.The squad announcement was preceded by leaks in the media, but the official confirmations through the video message added an element of excitement and anticipation. Thomas Müller, Germany's most experienced player with 128 caps, was among those who hinted at his inclusion on social media before the official announcement.Germany will host Euro 2024 from June 14 to July 14. Nagelsmann's team will begin its preparations in Blankenhain from May 26-31 before moving to Herzogenaurach on June 1. The team will play friendlies against Ukraine, Greece, and Scotland before opening the tournament against Scotland in Munich.Nagelsmann expressed optimism about Germany's chances in the tournament, stating that he believes the team can win it. He emphasized the importance of building confidence and momentum in the lead-up to the tournament.

The Indian football team has long relied on the prolific goalscoring prowess of Sunil Chhetri, who has been the undisputed number nine since 2005. However, with Chhetri's retirement looming, the question of who will inherit his mantle has become paramount.The Indian football landscape has become accustomed to Chhetri's presence, leading to a dearth of out-and-out strikers. Most ISL teams rely on foreign center forwards to compensate for the lack of domestic goal scorers.Chhetri himself has acknowledged the need for a successor, stating, "It's time for our country to see the next number 9. It is time we build on it."Two players who immediately come to mind are Mumbai City FC's Lallianzuala Chhangte and Vikram Partap Singh. Chhangte, 26, has been a revelation this season, scoring 10 goals and providing six assists. His pace, skill, and technical ability make him a potential false nine.Singh, 22, has also impressed with his work ethic and relentless pressing. He scored eight goals and provided four assists in Mumbai City's title-winning campaign. His potential as a center forward is undeniable.Another contender is Chennaiyin FC's Rahim Ali, who has occasionally replaced Chhetri as a substitute. He is the only Indian player who has consistently played as a center forward for his club.The search for India's next number nine will continue until a viable option emerges. Igor Stimac will have a difficult decision to make when India faces Qatar in their final qualifier on June 11 without their star striker. A change in formation, such as a false nine, could be a possibility.

Antoine Griezmann's hat-trick propelled Atletico Madrid to a 3-0 victory over Getafe, securing their place in the Champions League for the 12th consecutive season. The triumph at Getafe's Coliseum Alfonso Perez ensured Diego Simeone's side will finish in the top four of La Liga.Griezmann, inspired by his recent performances for France, led the Rojiblancos to a dominant victory in the Madrid suburbs. The 33-year-old forward opened the scoring in the 27th minute, running onto Rodrigo De Paul's pass and beating Getafe goalkeeper David Soria with a low effort.Before halftime, Griezmann converted his second goal from Angel Correa's low pass across the area, which was confirmed after a VAR review. The former Real Sociedad striker completed his hat-trick after the break, finishing a sharp Atletico move with a prodded effort at the near post.Griezmann's goalscoring exploits have been a welcome sight for Atletico, who have endured a challenging season. Despite a strong start and becoming the only side in Spain to defeat Real Madrid this season, their campaign began to unravel with exits in the Copa del Rey and Champions League.However, the victory over Getafe has guaranteed their return to Europe's top competition next season. "It's been a lot of years getting into the Champions League, which is something to value," Griezmann said. "But with the team we have and the talent we have, and the coach we have, it's something we have to do."Celta Vigo's 2-1 comeback win over Athletic Bilbao has left Cadiz's hopes of survival hanging by a thread. Williot Swedberg and Hugo Alvarez's goals helped Celta triumph at Balaidos, moving them five points clear of the drop zone. Sergio Guardiola's 96th-minute winner for Cadiz means they are four points from safety with two matches remaining.

Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) secured a 2-1 victory over Nice in Ligue 1 on Wednesday, despite the absence of star forward Kylian Mbappe. The win effectively ended Nice's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.Mbappe, who is set to leave PSG at the end of the season, missed the match due to discomfort in his left hamstring. Other notable absentees for PSG included Ousmane Dembele, Achraf Hakimi, and Randal Kolo Muani.PSG took the lead in the 18th minute through Bradley Barcola. Defender Yoram Zague doubled their advantage in the 29th minute, marking his 18th birthday with his first goal for the French champions.Nice responded with a goal from Mohamed-Ali Cho just past the half-hour mark. However, their hopes of a comeback were dashed when Melvin Bard was sent off with 15 minutes remaining for a challenge on Barcola.The defeat leaves Nice four points behind Lille and Brest, who are battling for the third automatic Champions League qualifying spot. Nice are now guaranteed to finish fifth and will participate in the Europa League group stage next season.Meanwhile, Marseille's hopes of European qualification suffered a blow with a 1-0 loss at managerless Reims. Chancel Mbemba's own goal in the first half condemned Marseille to defeat, leaving them three points behind Lens and Lyon in the race for a Europa Conference League place.