Football

Real Madrid's dominance in Spanish football has reached new heights as they clinched the La Liga title with four games to spare, leaving their rivals Barcelona trailing in their wake. The comprehensive 3-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cadiz, even with a lineup predominantly of bench players, was enough to secure the title as Barcelona stumbled to a 4-2 defeat against Girona.Barcelona's hopes of silverware this season have been dashed, as they now trail Real Madrid by an insurmountable 14 points. With Girona leapfrogging Barcelona into second place, Madrid's coronation as La Liga champions for the 36th time was confirmed, marking another chapter in the club's illustrious history.Real Madrid's triumph is a testament to their resilience and depth. Despite losing star forward Karim Benzema to injury at the start of the campaign, youngster Jude Bellingham stepped up with consistent performances, scoring 18 league goals and providing leadership in the midfield. Vinicius Junior's brilliance also played a crucial role in Madrid's success.Madrid's only loss in 34 rounds so far highlights their dominance. They beat Barcelona in both league "clasico" matches and dealt Girona a pair of lopsided losses in their two meetings.Ancelotti's decision to overhaul his lineup ahead of the decider against Bayern Munich paid off. Brahim Díaz broke through Cadiz's defense in the 51st minute, while Bellingham tapped in a second goal in the 68th. Joselu Mato added a third in injury time.Barcelona's double blow of watching Madrid claim the title and falling behind Girona in the Catalan derby was a bitter pill to swallow. Girona's top-four finish and Champions League berth is a significant achievement, but it also poses a potential issue for UEFA due to their ownership group's involvement with Manchester City.

Mumbai City FC emerged victorious in the Indian Super League (ISL) final, defeating Mohun Bagan Super Giant 3-1 at the Salt Lake Stadium in Kolkata. The triumph marked Mumbai City's second ISL title, having previously won in 2020-21.The first half saw Mohun Bagan take the lead through Jason Cummings' goal just before the break. However, Mumbai City rallied in the second half, with Pereyra Diaz equalizing in the 53rd minute. The momentum shifted in Mumbai City's favor, and Bipin Singh gave them the lead in the 81st minute. Jakub Vojtus sealed the victory for Mumbai City in injury time.Mumbai City dominated possession throughout the match, enjoying 66% of the ball. They created several chances in the first half but failed to capitalize. After the break, they showed greater incisiveness and determination, breaking down Mohun Bagan's defense.Mohun Bagan, the home favorite, started the match brightly but faded after the equalizer. They struggled to create clear-cut chances and were unable to match Mumbai City's intensity in the second half.The victory was a testament to Mumbai City's resilience and tactical adaptability. They overcame a slow start and showed their class in the second half. The title triumph is a significant achievement for the club, which has established itself as a force in Indian football.

Indian football's quest for a berth in the FIFA World Cup 2026 and AFC Asian Cup 2027 faces a crucial juncture as head coach Igor Stimac unveils his first list of 26 probables for the upcoming Bhubaneswar camp. The Blue Tigers are set to face Kuwait and Qatar in their final two matches of Group A in the FIFA World Cup 2026 Preliminary Joint Qualification Round 2.India currently sits second in the group with four points from four matches, trailing group leaders Qatar by five points. The top two teams in the group will advance to Round 3 of the FIFA World Cup Qualifiers and secure a spot at the AFC Asian Cup Saudi Arabia 2027.Stimac's first list of probables includes a mix of experienced veterans and promising youngsters. Goalkeepers Amrinder Singh and Gurpreet Singh Sandhu will provide stability between the posts, while defenders Amey Ganesh Ranawade, Jay Gupta, and Lalchungnunga will form the backbone of the defense.Midfielders Brandon Fernandes, Edmund Lalrindika, and Jeakson Singh Thounaojam will be tasked with controlling the tempo of the game, while forwards David Lalhlansanga, Jithin Madathil Subran, and Sunil Chhetri will lead the attack.India's hopes of qualifying for the third round hinge on their ability to secure positive results in their remaining matches. While defeating Qatar in Doha will be a daunting task, the Blue Tigers will be determined to overcome Kuwait on home soil on June 6.However, Afghanistan's recent victory over India has cast a shadow over the team's qualification hopes. Afghanistan now has four points from four matches and could potentially overtake India in the standings.The Bhubaneswar camp will provide Stimac with an opportunity to assess the fitness and form of his players and finalize his squad for the crucial matches against Kuwait and Qatar. The Blue Tigers will need to perform at their best to keep their World Cup and Asian Cup dreams alive.

Elijah Adebayo's timely equalizer against Everton on Friday kept Luton Town's hopes of Premier League survival alive. Despite trailing to Dominic Calvert-Lewin's penalty, Adebayo's crucial goal before halftime earned Luton a 1-1 draw at Kenilworth Road.Luton, currently third from bottom, remain in contention to avoid relegation despite winning only once in their last 15 league games. They trail fourth-bottom Nottingham Forest on goal difference, with Forest facing relegated Sheffield United on Saturday.A Forest victory at Bramall Lane would put them three points ahead of Luton, who have two remaining fixtures against West Ham and Fulham. Luton's survival bid is further complicated by the pending verdict on Forest's appeal against a four-point deduction for financial breaches.Despite losing eight points for their own financial irregularities, Everton had already secured their Premier League status with three games to spare. Sean Dyche's side, winners of their previous three matches, had little to play for in their first visit to Kenilworth Road in 17 years.Luton's early penalty appeals were denied, but they were awarded a spot-kick in the 23rd minute when Teden Mengi fouled Jarrad Branthwaite. Calvert-Lewin converted the penalty to give Everton the lead.Undeterred, Luton equalized seven minutes later. Adebayo controlled Albert Sambi Lokonga's pass, outmuscled Ashley Young, and fired a fine finish past Jordan Pickford. Adebayo's goal was his 10th of the season.Luton continued to press, with Carlton Morris having a header cleared off the line by Ben Godfrey. Everton also had chances, with Jack Harrison and Calvert-Lewin forcing saves from Thomas Kaminski.In the end, the draw left Luton's fate in the hands of Forest. A Forest win on Saturday would put them in a strong position to avoid relegation, while a Luton victory in their remaining two games would give them a chance to leapfrog Forest.

Andrej Kramaric's dramatic 90th-minute equalizer salvaged a 1-1 draw for Hoffenheim against 10-man RB Leipzig in a thrilling Bundesliga encounter on Friday.Leipzig dominated the first half, with Benjamin Sesko's header from David Raum's cross giving them the lead in the 38th minute. The visitors continued to control the game after the break, but their advantage was short-lived.In the 55th minute, Paris Saint-Germain loanee Xavi Simons received a yellow card for handball. Just 17 minutes later, he was shown a second yellow for a challenge on Anton Stach, leaving Leipzig with 10 men.Hoffenheim seized the opportunity, piling on the pressure and creating several chances. With time running out, Marius Buelter's cross found Kramaric, who slotted home the equalizer in the final minute of regulation time.The late goal denied Leipzig third place in the Bundesliga standings, with Marco Rose's side now one point behind Stuttgart. However, Leipzig remain in contention for a Champions League spot, having already secured a top-four finish.Despite the disappointment, Leipzig sporting director Rouven Schroeder acknowledged the team's progress. "It's a pity when a goal comes so late," he said. "It's a deserved draw, but we've still got a chance for third place."Hoffenheim's point moved them up to seventh place, keeping their hopes of European football next season alive. The club last qualified for European competition in 2019.The Bundesliga's strong performances in European competitions this season have earned Germany an additional Champions League spot, meaning Leipzig will join Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, and Bayer Leverkusen in the tournament next season.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has expressed his belief that England has the potential to triumph at Euro 2024, drawing parallels to his club's journey to Champions League glory. Guardiola, who guided City to their maiden European crown last season, sees similarities between the English national team and his own squad.England has endured a string of near misses in recent tournaments, including a heartbreaking penalty shootout defeat to Italy in the Euro 2020 final and a quarterfinal exit at the 2022 World Cup. However, Guardiola believes that the Three Lions are on the cusp of success."They are really good. It's not just the talent of the strikers, it's the whole package, the whole group," Guardiola said. "Gareth [Southgate] knows perfectly what he has to do."Guardiola emphasized the importance of belief and the unwavering support of the English fans. "When you arrive at these stages every two years, it's going to happen. It's quite similar to us, we were close, and in the end we lifted it," he said.The Spaniard also highlighted the role of Phil Foden, who has emerged as a key player for both City and England. "If he continues his career until the end here, and continues that level, he can be one of the best, that's for sure," Guardiola said.Guardiola's comments come as England prepares for their Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, which begins in March. The Three Lions will be aiming to build on their recent progress and finally break their trophy drought.

Liverpool's search for a successor to the iconic Jurgen Klopp has been a daunting task, given his transformative impact on the club. Klopp's arrival in 2015 marked a resurgence for the Merseyside giants, who had lost their aura during the Premier League era.Under Klopp's leadership, Liverpool has become a dominant force in European football, winning a full set of trophies. The 2019 Champions League triumph stands as his greatest victory, while the end of Liverpool's 30-year wait for an English league title in 2020 was a particularly emotional moment.Klopp's departure, announced in January 2023, stunned Liverpool supporters. The club immediately set about identifying his successor, aware of the consequences of making the wrong choice. Michael Edwards, recently appointed "chief executive of football" for Liverpool owner FSG, oversaw the process.Liverpool sought candidates who would suit a squad assembled to play Klopp's high-pressing tactics. They also needed to have the personality to take charge at one of the world's biggest clubs.After a thorough search, Liverpool zeroed in on Feyenoord manager Arne Slot. Slot had impressed in his first managerial role at AZ Alkmaar and led Feyenoord to their first Europa Conference League final in 2022. He also delivered a second league title in 24 years to Feyenoord and added the Dutch Cup this year.While Slot's winning pedigree with Feyenoord is impressive, his success in England is not guaranteed. Liverpool need only look at Erik ten Hag's struggles at Manchester United to know how difficult it can be for a winning coach to adapt to a new league.However, Slot takes over a team on the up after Klopp rebuilt his all-conquering squad over the past two years. Despite losing key players like Sadio Mane, Jordan Henderson, and Roberto Firmino, Liverpool has quickly returned to title contention and won the League Cup in February with seven players of his team in the final aged 21 or under.While Klopp and Liverpool were hoping to end their association on a high, with another Premier League title, recent defeats at Everton and West Ham have hurt their chances. Liverpool was also eliminated in the Europa League quarterfinals by Atalanta.Despite these setbacks, Klopp remains optimistic. "Obviously now I even help by not finishing on a high, so there is space for improvement," he said.The wringer awaits Slot, who has never faced the intense scrutiny of the British football press. Klopp said he liked Slot's style of play but added that he has not been involved in the search process. "It's not up to me to judge these things, but it all sounds really good to me," said Klopp. "I like the way his team plays football. I don't know him, but some people who know him say he's a good guy. I like that a lot."Slot is known as a passionate leader with a fierce work ethic. He is meticulous, driven, and obsessed with hard work and attention to detail. These qualities have led to results at Feyenoord, seen as a team with physically fit players who fight for each other and often score late goals.But for all Slot's ability, the decision to choose him as Klopp's successor still represents a step into the unknown for Liverpool. Before arriving in Anfield, Klopp had a history of success in elite football in addition to being an influential, cutting-edge tactician. The 45-year-old Slot, in contrast, has only had five seasons as a head coach, all of them in the Netherlands, which doesn't house a top-five league.The pressures of living up to Anfield's glorious history, the challenges of dealing with both superstar players and the invasive British football press, and the cut-throat competitive depth of the Premier League: Slot has never experienced any of these individually leave alone together.Slot has also never had to deal with a string of poor results — a testament to his qualities, but he has not been tested in the manner he now will be. So, how he reacts to adversity will only be known when he experiences it. Then there is the Kop and its special emotional charge that Klopp was able to tap into — Slot will not be expected to galvanise Liverpool fans immediately, but if he is to have any success on Merseyside, he will need to convince them fairly quickly.Life after Klopp won't be easy for Liverpool — but the choice of Slot certainly makes it interesting.

In the twilight of a coaching career spanning four continents and 34 years, Antonio Lopez Habas has found a fitting finale in India. The 66-year-old Mohun Bagan Super Giant coach is now one game away from completing a remarkable season, with the ISL trophy within reach.Standing between Mohun Bagan and glory is Mumbai City FC, a team that has matched their brilliance throughout the season. Both teams topped the league standings with identical points, wins, goals, and clean sheets. Mumbai City FC boasts the league's tightest defense, but Mohun Bagan breached it in their final league encounter to secure the league shield.Both teams have overcome adversity this season. Mumbai City FC seamlessly transitioned under Petr Kratky after Des Buckingham's departure, while Mohun Bagan found renewed belief under Habas after a string of losses led to Juan Ferrando's sacking.The finalists shared 2-1 wins in the league phase, and both have a player suspended for the final. Mohun Bagan will miss Armando Sadiku, while Mumbai City FC will be without Yoëll van Nieff and possibly Akash Mishra.Mumbai City FC has relied heavily on Indian talent this season, with Vikram Partap Singh and Lallianzula Chhangte leading the charge. Chhangte's versatility and ability to play centrally pose a significant threat to Mohun Bagan's defense.Mohun Bagan's attack is spearheaded by Petratos, Cummings, and Sadiku, but Manvir Singh, Colaco, and Samad have also contributed crucial goals. Joni Kauko has been the anchor in midfield since his return from injury."There are no favorites in a final," said Habas. "We have a good team, but I am confident we have the team to match them," added Kratky.The final will be played in front of a partisan crowd of over 60,000 Mohun Bagan fans at the Salt Lake stadium. Mumbai City FC is prepared for the atmosphere, having played in the Durand Cup and the away league game at the same venue.The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between two evenly matched teams. The ISL trophy awaits, and both Mohun Bagan and Mumbai City FC will give it their all to etch their names in history.

Vikram Partap Singh, a rising star in Indian football, is gearing up for the biggest match of his club career: the Indian Super League (ISL) final against Mohun Bagan Super Giant. With 12 goal contributions (8 goals, 4 assists) this season, Singh has emerged as a key player for Mumbai City FC.Singh's preparation for the final has been meticulous. After missing the last league game due to suspension, he was determined to prove his worth in the semi-final against FC Goa. His goal and assist over two legs against Goa were crucial in Mumbai City's victory."I told myself that the semi-final is where I need to show that I can be useful to the team," Singh said. "The only thought for us was to try and score one goal. When Chhangte scored, it gave us belief and realization that there is time for more."Singh believes that the key to success in the final will be maintaining belief and avoiding complacency. "No player now thinks the game will end around the 90-minute mark," he said. "Sometimes seven minutes are enough to score two or three goals."The desire to end the season on a high note is also driving Singh and his teammates. "Losing the league shield in Kolkata to Mohun Bagan meant we had to win the semi-final as we didn't want to finish with nothing after a good season," he said.Singh has learned valuable lessons from Mumbai City's previous encounters with Mohun Bagan. "If there is one thing we learnt from that game, it was: never start a game thinking a draw will be enough," he said.Despite Mumbai City's Champions League experience this season, Singh believes that the ISL final is the biggest club game of his career. "We can't say that about any game we play in India. So, this is a must-win," he said.Singh credits his coach, Petr Kratky, for giving him more freedom and playing him on both sides of the pitch. "I feel I am more mature now but the confidence he had in me helped," he said.Singh is also eager to make his mark on the international stage. After making his debut for India against Afghanistan last March, he believes it's time to work hard and improve. "I can't call myself a young player anymore. 22 'bahut hota hai'. It felt like I was late for my India debut," he said.Singh is confident that he can continue to perform at a high level. "At 22, you can't say all that. I can play all year," he said.