Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to select Leandro Trossard in his attack for the Champions Lea...

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta opted to select Leandro Trossard in his attack for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday.With Thomas Partey suspended for the clash at the Emirates Stadium, Arteta moved Mikel Merino from his recent role as a makeshift striker to fill the void left by the Ghana midfielder.That switch opened up a place in Arsenal's forward line and, with Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus injured, Arteta decided to use Belgian forward Trossard as his central striker.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Trossard, who has netted 10 times in all competitions this term, had scored three goals in his last two appearances for the Gunners, netting twice at Ipswich and once against Crystal Palace.Arteta left Ben White on the bench, keeping faith with Jakub Kiwior at centre-back in the absence of the injured Gabriel Magalhaes.PSG boss Luis Enrique recalled Desire Doue to his attack in place of Bradley Barcola, who had started the second leg of the French champions' quarter-final against Aston Villa.The rest of Luis Enrique's team was unchanged from the group that lost 3-2 at Villa Park, advancing to the last four with a 5-4 aggregate triumph.Starting line-ups for the Champions League semi-final first leg between Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain at the Emirates Stadium on Tuesday.<h3>Arsenal (4-2-3-1)</h3>David Raya; Jurrien Timber, William Saliba, Jakub Kiwior, Myles Lewis-Skelly; Declan Rice, Mikel Merino; Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard; Gabriel Martinelli; Leandro TrossardCoach: Mikel Arteta (ESP)<h3>Paris Saint-Germain (4-3-3)</h3>Gianluigi Donnarumma; Achraf Hakimi, Marquinhos, Willian Pacho, Nuno Mendes; Joao Neves, Vitinha, Fabian Ruiz; Desire Doue, Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha KvaratskheliaCoach: Luis Enrique (ESP)Referee: Slavko Vincic (SLO)

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 29: Leandro Trossard of Arsenal arrives at the stadium prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final First Leg match between Arsenal FC and Paris Saint-Germain at Emirates Stadium on April 29, 2025 in London, England.

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Merino back in midfield, Trossard starts up front for Arsenal vs. PSG

Amine Gouiri scored a hat-trick, including an absolutely stunning overhead kick, as Marseille thu...

Amine Gouiri scored a hat-trick, including an absolutely stunning overhead kick, as Marseille thumped Brest 4-1 on Sunday to reclaim second place in Ligue 1 amid a fierce fight for Champions League qualification.Mason Greenwood was also on target with his 19th league goal of the campaign as Marseille made it back-to-back home wins with nine goals scored in eight days.Roberto De Zerbi's side are second with three games left, 20 points adrift of champions Paris Saint-Germain and two points ahead of third-placed Lille, who won 2-0 at struggling Angers earlier.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>However, just four points separate Marseille from Strasbourg in seventh, with six sides locked in an intense fight for European places as the French season reaches its climax.The top three teams in Ligue 1 will qualify directly for the league phase of next season's Champions League, with fourth entering in the preliminary rounds.Fifth will go into the Europa League and sixth will also if PSG beat Reims in next month's French Cup final, while a final spot is on offer for the Conference League.Marseille are desperate to qualify for Europe's elite club competition and spent most of the last week on a training camp in Italy, based just outside Rome.The decision to take the squad away paid dividends, even if Algerian international Gouiri's early opener was cancelled out before the half-hour mark as Senegal's Abdallah Sima finished from close range for Brest.Greenwood restored Marseille's lead with a fine right-foot strike from just outside the area, before Gouiri took centre stage as he made it 3-1 on the stroke of half-time.When Greenwood held up a cross from the byline, Gouiri controlled on his chest before readjusting his body to score with a wonderful acrobatic overhead kick.He then ran through to complete his hat-trick and make it 4-1 in the second half with his seventh goal in 11 games since joining OM from Rennes in January.Lille went third as goals either side of half-time from Alexsandro and Hakon Haraldsson gave them a third consecutive win and all three points at Angers, who are just above the relegation zone.Lille host Marseille next weekend in a huge game, the outcome of which could benefit the teams clustered just behind them in the table.Monaco in fourth were held to a 1-1 draw at relegation-threatened Le Havre on Saturday, while Lyon, Nice and Strasbourg all won over the course of the weekend to stay right in contention.Elsewhere on Sunday, Auxerre won 4-0 at Lens to end the European hopes of Will Still's team.Nantes drew 0-0 at Toulouse to edge closer to safety, while Reims did likewise with a goalless stalemate at Montpellier, whose relegation was confirmed on Saturday.

Marseille's Algerian forward #09 Amine Gouiri (2nd-L) kicks the ball and scores during the French L1 football match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and Stade Brestois 29 (Brest) at Stade Velodrome in Marseille, southern France on April 27, 2025.

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Ligue 1 roundup: Gouiri's hat-trick guides Marseille back to 2nd

Inter Milan's defence of their Serie A title was hit with a setback on Sunday as they lost 1-0 at...

Inter Milan's defence of their Serie A title was hit with a setback on Sunday as they lost 1-0 at home to Roma, while Scott McTominay netted a brace as Napoli beat Torino 2-0 to go top of the table.No fixtures were played on Friday or Saturday because of the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome, meaning the full round of Serie A matches take place on Sunday and Monday.Matias Soule's first-half strike for Roma knocked Inter off top spot earlier in the day before new tabletoppers Napoli opened up a three-point buffer with victory in Sunday's late kick-off.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>"Three defeats in one week hurts, and we're not used to such a run," said Inter coach Simone Inzaghi."It was a very important game, but we lacked a clear head. We need to try and get our energy back, and we'll go to Barcelona with a lot of respect for this team, but without fear."Argentinian Soule stunned the San Siro when he slotted home coolly as the ball ping-ponged around the Inter box in the 22nd minute.The win moved Roma up to sixth place on 60 points, two off the final Champions League spot.In another blow for Inter, they risk being without defender Benjamin Pavard for their upcoming Champions League semi-final first leg against Barcelona after the French international limped off in the 15th minute with an ankle issue.McTominay lit the blue touch paper in the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona when he ghosted in at the near post to turn Napoli into the lead on seven minutes against Torino.The former Manchester United midfielder repeated the trick four minutes before the break to send Napoli clear at the top of Serie A on 74 points.The brace brought McTominay's league total to 11 goals, one behind Napoli's leading scorer Romelu Lukaku.<h3>Juve back on track</h3>Juventus moved into the fourth and final Champions League qualification spot with a 2-0 victory at home to basement-club Monza.First-half strikes from Nicolas Gonzalez and Randal Kolo Muani took the Old Lady to 62 points.But Juventus will likely be without exciting Turkish forward Kenan Yildiz for their next two fixtures after the 19-year-old was sent off for violent conduct at the end of the first period.Third-placed Atalanta were held to a surprise 1-1 draw by relegation-threatened Lecce, dragging Gian Piero Gasperini's side further into the dogfight for Champions League football next season.Mateo Retegui extended his lead at the top of the goalscoring charts from the penalty spot as his 69th-minute spot-kick cancelled out Jesper Karlsson's first-half opener from 12 yards in Bergamo.Fiorentina kept their European qualification hopes alive with a 2-1 victory against struggling Empoli.Goals from Yacine Adli and Rolando Mandragora put the hosts in control inside the opening half-hour, before Jacopo Fazzini gave the 19th-placed side faint hopes of picking up some much-needed points in the 57th minute.The Tuscany-based club sit in eighth place on 59 points, five ahead of Milan who beat lowly Venezia 2-0.

NAPLES, ITALY - APRIL 27: Scott Mctominay, Giovanni Di Lorenzo and Amir Rrahmani of Napoli celebrate after scoring the 2-0 goal during the Serie A match between Napoli and Torino at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona on April 27, 2025 in Naples, Italy.

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Napoli capitalize on Inter's loss to grab Serie A lead

Werder Bremen's hopes of returning to European football for the first time since 2010-11 took a h...

Werder Bremen's hopes of returning to European football for the first time since 2010-11 took a hit after a scoreless home draw with St Pauli in the Bundesliga on Sunday. Bremen had won four in a row before Sunday's match but failed to break through against St Pauli, who boast the third-best defensive record in the league this season after top two Bayern Munich and Bayer Leverkusen.Bremen could have gone level on points with sixth-placed Borussia Dortmund with a victory and looked to have sealed it late when Oliver Burke scored on the 80th-minute mark, but the Scottish winger was narrowly offside. <div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>St Pauli midfielder Connor Metcalfe was sent from the field in stoppage time after picking up two yellow cards in the space of three minutes. The point leaves Bremen in eighth, two points away from the Europa Conference League ranking, while Pauli are now six points clear of the relegation playoff spot with three games remaining.Earlier on Sunday, Bochum edged closer to relegation when they could only secure a 1-1 home draw against Union Berlin. Both of Bochum's relegation rivals Holstein Kiel and Heidenheim won this weekend, sending the hosts to the bottom of the table.With three matches remaining, Bochum have just 21 points to their name, one fewer than Holstein Kiel and four behind Heidenheim who currently occupy the relegation play-off position.Union took the lead when Benedict Hollerbach cut the ball through a crowded penalty area with 17 minutes gone for his ninth goal of the season. Bochum hit back when Matus Bero tapped in the rebound of his own saved penalty in the 68th minute. Bochum held on despite late Union pressure to end a five-game losing run.Union's Diogo Leite was stretchered off after getting hit in the neck resulting in a seven-minute delay, but coach Steffen Baumgart said the injury "was not as bad as we feared".Union sealed their spot in the top division for the seventh straight season with last Saturday's manic 4-4 home draw against Stuttgart.

Marvin Ducksch of Werder Bremen heads during the 1. Bundesliga match between Werder Bremen and St. Pauli at Weserstadion, Bremen, Germany on April 27, 2025.

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Bremen can't maintain winning run; Bochum still bottom despite Union draw

Villarreal moved into fifth in La Liga on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Espanyol, boosting their cha...

Villarreal moved into fifth in La Liga on Sunday with a 1-0 win over Espanyol, boosting their chances of Champions League qualification.Yeremy Pino's 52nd-minute goal put them a point above Real Betis, sixth, with the top five in Spain this season reaching Europe's premier competition.Marcelino Garcia Toral's side held off an Espanyol side, 13th and in good form, in the final stages of a match which had been postponed in March because of a heavy rain alert.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>It was only Villarreal's second win in their last five league games and a confidence boost ahead of the final five matches.

Villarreal's Spanish forward #21 Yeremi Pino celebrates scoring his team's first goal during the Spanish league football match between Villarreal CF and RCD Espanyol at La Ceramica stadium in Vila-real on April 27, 2025.

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Villarreal edge Espanyol to improve Champions League chances

Manchester City will face Crystal Palace in their third successive FA Cup final after cruising to...

Manchester City will face Crystal Palace in their third successive FA Cup final after cruising to a 2-0 win against Nottingham Forest at Wembley on Sunday.Pep Guardiola's side took an early lead through Rico Lewis and Josko Gvardiol's second-half goal sealed a comfortable semi-final success.City can look forward to a showdown with Palace at Wembley on May 17 after the Eagles won 3-0 against Aston Villa in the other semi-final on Saturday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Their 14th FA Cup final appearance gives City a chance to win the competition for the eighth time and the third since Guardiola arrived in 2016.City lost to Manchester United in last season's FA Cup final after beating their cross-town rivals in the 2023 showpiece.Guardiola is hoping to salvage a turbulent season by lifting the FA Cup and qualifying for the Champions League via a top five finish in the Premier League.City, who sit fourth in the league with four games left, will go into the final as favourites after thrashing Palace 5-2 at the Etihad Stadium earlier in April.But nothing has come easy for City this season and Guardiola will need no reminding of that after their four-year reign as English champions was officially ended by Liverpool's win against Tottenham at the exact moment the final whistle blew at Wembley.Forest, only two points adrift of third-placed Newcastle with a game in hand, have to lick their wounds and focus on their bid to reach the Champions League for the first time since 1980-81.It was City's 28th trip to Wembley since it reopened in 2007 and just Forest's second.So it was no surprise the Forest hordes who made the trip were far more vocal as kick-off approached, while swathes of empty seats stood out in the City sections.But it wasn't long before City's fans made themselves heard as they stormed into the lead in the second minute.<h3>Slick City</h3>Guardiola had claimed this week that City will be much stronger next season because they have finally rediscovered their spirit and passion.The City boss was encouraged by his players' wild celebrations of Bernardo Silva's early goal in a crucial 2-1 win against Villa on Wednesday and once again they made a fast start.After a probing spell of City passing, Lewis was given far too much space on the edge of the Forest area and he took full advantage with a fierce drive into the bottom corner.City's pressing was too intense for Forest to handle and Nico O'Reilly waltzed through the Forest defence for a blast that fizzed just wide.With Neco Williams suspended and Ola Aina and Ryan Yates injured, Forest boss Nuno Espirito Santo had gambled on 18-year-old Zach Abbott at right-back, while Anthony Elanga was surprisingly left on the bench.For much of the first half, Nuno's moves backfired, with Abbott -- who had played just 60 minutes this season -- repeatedly exposed by City's attacks and Forest lacking a cutting edge without Elanga.Forest failed to muster a single shot in the first half and had only one touch inside the City area.Nuno sent on Elanga at the interval and the winger should have marked his 23rd birthday with a goal when he lashed wide from Callum Hudson-Odoi's pass.But City showed the ruthless streak that Forest lacked in the 51st minute.Matheus Nunes' effort was pushed away for a corner by Matz Sels and from Omar Marmoush's set-piece, Gvardiol was left virtually unchallenged as he rose highest to head home.Forest's Morgan Gibbs-White crashed a volley off the crossbar, then clipped another effort off the post.Taiwo Awoniyi also hit the woodwork for Forest with a back-heeled flick.But it was too little, too late as City celebrated a victory that keeps alive their bid to avoid a first trophyless season since 2016-17.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 27: Josko Gvardiol of Manchester City goal celebration with Ruben Dias of Manchester City after scoring a goal to put Manchester City 2-0 ahead during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Nottingham Forest and Manchester City at Wembley Stadium on April 27, 2025 in London, England.

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Man City battle past Forest to reach 3rd successive FA Cup final

Barcelona stormed into the women's Champions League final for the sixth time as their 4-1 win at ...

Barcelona stormed into the women's Champions League final for the sixth time as their 4-1 win at Chelsea in the semi-final second leg sealed an 8-2 aggregate triumph on Sunday.The Spanish club is chasing a third successive Champions League crown and brushed aside Chelsea with ease at Stamford Bridge. Barcelona will now play Arsenal in the final after the English club upset Lyon later on Sunday.Trailing 4-1 from last Sunday's meeting at the Johan Cruyff Stadium, Chelsea were blown away by Barcelona in the first half.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Two-time Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmati got the first goal with a driving run through a non-existent Chelsea defence that culminated in a bullet finish into the roof of the net.Ewa Pajor tapped in their second moments later to effectively finish the tie as a contest.Claudia Pina curled in the third before the break as what remained of Chelsea's resistance crumbled.A mix-up between Niamh Charles and goalkeeper Hannah Hampton in the 90th minute let in Salma Paralluelo to rubber-stamp the capitulation.Wieke Kaptein's reply in the final seconds was no consolation for out-classed Chelsea, whose wait for a first Champions League crown goes on.Chelsea will now focus on winning a sixth consecutive Women's Super League title and first under boss Sonia Bompastor. That can be achieved with victory against Manchester United on Wednesday if other results go their way.Bonmati was well inside her own half when she took possession in the build-up to the opening goal in the 25th minute.Chelsea's Millie Bright slid in but failed to take the ball, leaving Bonmati a clear run through for a drilled finish from an acute angle.The visitors struck again after 41 minutes when Charles was left isolated on the right against Caroline Graham, who ran around her with ease, pulling the ball back across goal for Pajor to tap in.Pina extinguished Chelsea's comeback hopes in the 43rd minute to make it three goals in 18 minutes. The forward was given room on the edge of the area to stop, take a touch and size up a curling effort that pinged in via the inside of Hampton's post.Paralluelo took advantage of Charles' hesitance to slot home the fourth goal in the 90th minute and Kaptein's finish offered little solace for Chelsea.

Barcelona's Claudia Pina (left) celebrates with team-mates after scoring their side's third goal of the game during the UEFA Women's Champions League semi final, second leg match at Stamford Bridge, London. Picture date: Sunday April 27, 2025.

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Barcelona reach 3rd straight Women's Champions League final

Rasmus Hojlund saved Manchester United from a third successive Premier League defeat with a last-...

Rasmus Hojlund saved Manchester United from a third successive Premier League defeat with a last-gasp equaliser in Sunday's 1-1 draw against 10-man Bournemouth.Ruben Amorim's struggling side were rocked by Antoine Semenyo's first half opener at the Vitality Stadium.The turning point came with 20 minutes left when Bournemouth forward Evanilson was controversially sent off.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Initially booked for his tackle on Noussair Mazraoui, Evanilson was dismissed when the punishment was upgraded after VAR intervention even though he appeared to slip before making contact with the United defender.On the brink of a fourth loss in their last five league matches, United scrambled an equaliser through Hojlund deep into stoppage-time.With bitter rivals Liverpool aiming to secure a 20th English title by avoiding defeat against Tottenham later on Sunday, United headed home grateful to have avoided more embarrassment in a wretched campaign.But despite Hojlund's late leveller, it was hardly an encouraging display from moribund United, who are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League.Liverpool will move level with United as England's joint most successful top-flight club when they are crowned champions.United haven't won the title since 2013 and the aim at Old Trafford next season is merely to get back into the top five, rather than battling with Liverpool for a 21st crown.Amorim this week insisted he has "no regrets" about joining United despite questioning whether he should have delayed his arrival.But Amorim has endured a torrid time since arriving from Sporting Lisbon to replace the sacked Erik ten Hag in November.United have managed just six top-flight wins under the Portuguese coach, are guaranteed to record their lowest points total in the Premier League era and could record the club's worst finish since they were relegated in 1973-74.The Europa League is United's last chance to finish the season on a high, with a semi-final first leg at Athletic Bilbao on Thursday.They will have to improve significantly on this performance to get past the highflying La Liga side.<h3>United leave it late</h3>Amorim made five changes after last weekend's defeat against Wolves, with left-back Luke Shaw deployed as a makeshift central defender in his first start since February 2024.United midfielder Kobbie Mainoo found space to test Bournemouth keeper Kepa Arrizabalaga with a curler in the early stages.Alejandro Garnacho went close with a fierce strike that flashed wide from the edge of the area.But United's promising start proved a mirage in the south-coast sunshine as Semenyo put Bournemouth ahead in the 23rd minute.Given a difficult pass by Shaw, the panicked Patrick Dorgu conceded possession and Evanilson flicked it onto Ghana midfielder Semenyo, who drilled a clinical finish into the bottom corner for his 11th goal this season.Garnacho almost hauled United level when Bruno Fernandes's pass was misjudged by Illia Zabarnyi, allowing the winger to race clear for a shot that Kepa did well to tip over.Dango Ouattara nearly deceived United's out of position keeper Andre Onana with an audacious shot that smacked off the post.United were given a lifeline by Evanilson's 70th minute red card, with Bournemouth furious as referee Peter Bankes changed his decision to a red card after consulting the pitchside monitor.Amorim's men still looked destined to leave empty-handed as nine minutes' stoppage-time ticked away.But in the 96th minute, Shaw's cross was flicked on by Manuel Ugarte and Hojlund poked home from close-range to spare United's blushes.

Manchester United's Rasmus Hojlund celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Vitality Stadium, Bournemouth. Picture date: Sunday April 27, 2025.

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Hojlund's rare goal rescues Man United at the death vs. Bournemouth

AC Milan rebounded from their defeat by Atalanta last weekend with a 2-0 win over Venezia at the ...

AC Milan rebounded from their defeat by Atalanta last weekend with a 2-0 win over Venezia at the start of the latest round of Serie A matches on Sunday.No fixtures were played on Friday or Saturday because of the funeral of Pope Francis in Rome. Christian Pulisic opened the scoring for Milan in the fifth minute with Santiago Gimenez sealing the victory in the fifth minute of added time at the end of the game.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Milan, who qualified for the Italian Cup final on Wednesday by eliminating bitter city rivals Inter, remain in ninth place in Serie A with 54 points. Venezia stay third from bottom in the relegation zone, one point behind Lecce, who take on third-placed Atalanta on Sunday evening. Brazilian forward Gabriel Strefezza scored the only goal as Como beat Genoa 1-0 in the duel between former Arsenal players-turned-coaches Cesc Fabregas and Patrick Vieira.

VENICE, ITALY - APRIL 27: Christian Pulisic of AC Milan shoots the ball trying to score a goal (offside) during the Serie A match between Venezia and Milan at Stadio Pier Luigi Penzo on April 27, 2025 in Venice, Italy.

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Pulisic helps Milan bounce back with victory in Venice

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasi...

Barcelona defender Jules Kounde struck deep in extra-time to decide a gripping Copa del Rey Clasico final on Saturday in Seville, earning his side a 3-2 win over rivals Real Madrid.The Catalans, aiming for a quadruple this season, won the first major trophy of Hansi Flick's reign as coach and a record-extending 32nd Spanish cup in dramatic fashion.Pedri sent Barcelona ahead at La Cartuja but two Real Madrid goals in seven second-half minutes, from Kylian Mbappe and Aurelien Tchouameni, pulled the Spanish and European champions level.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>However, Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to take the game to extra-time and Kounde drilled home to win it for the La Liga leaders.Substituted Madrid defender Antonio Rudiger was sent off in the final seconds for appearing to throw an object onto the pitch towards the referee, and Lucas Vazquez, also replaced, was dismissed for further protest."It was a good time to bring joy to our fans -- we have to enjoy it but without forgetting the Champions League semis are coming," Torres told La 1, with Barca hosting Inter Milan on Wednesday."They can make a party -- for today, it's OK," a delighted Flick, who has won all seven finals he has coached in his career, told Movistar.Madrid, who started with top scorer Mbappe on the bench after an ankle injury, suffered an early setback when left-back Ferland Mendy, playing his first game for six weeks, suffered a thigh injury.Carlo Ancelotti sent on Fran Garcia in his place, with the job of shackling Barcelona's dazzling teenage winger Lamine Yamal.The 17-year-old Spain star, who dyed his hair blond for the game, burst past him with ease as Barca threatened Thibaut Courtois' goal increasingly.The Catalans, who won the first two Clasicos this season in La Liga and the Spanish Super Cup, scoring nine goals in the process, controlled the ball.They took the lead after 28 minutes, Pedri placing the ball into the top corner with precision and power from the edge of the box.It was a sensational goal, starting with a smart Pau Cubarsi interception in his own half.Pedri spread the play out to Yamal on the right, who cut inside and held the ball up until the Canary Islander reached the box and had a sight of goal.Madrid had been focussed on defending but Barcelona's opener brought them out of their shell -- and also brought Mbappe off the bench to warm up.Jude Bellingham started and finished a superb move but was offside, and Vinicius Junior would have won a penalty as Inigo Martinez hacked him down but had also strayed off in the build-up.Barcelona could have doubled their lead, with Dani Olmo's corner evading several players and bouncing off the far post, with Cubarsi unable to get there as Dani Ceballos held him back.Referee Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea was lenient with some heated Madrid tackles, perhaps cowed by Friday's drama as the Spanish champions seethed at his pre-match comments denouncing attacks on officials by the club's television channel.Madrid sent Mbappe on for Rodrygo at half-time and soon they began to work Barcelona goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny with Vinicius and Mbappe coming close.<h3>End to end</h3>Mbappe pulled Madrid level almost on his own in the 70th minute.The striker surged forward and was brought down on the edge of the box by Frenkie de Jong. Mbappe took the free-kick himself and fired a low effort in off the post.Seven minutes later Madrid took the lead, Tchouameni finding space to head home Arda Guler's corner past the helpless Szczesny.Barcelona responded when Yamal played a delicious pass over the top for Torres, which drew both Rudiger and Courtois, but the Spaniard got there first and rolled home.Controversy unsurprisingly reared its head before the match headed to extra-time.Barcelona clamoured for a penalty when Rudiger appeared to bring down Torres, and then were awarded one deep in stoppage time as Raphinha tumbled under pressure from Raul Asencio.However the referee, called to review the incident by VAR, overturned his decision and booked the Brazilian for diving.In extra time Barcelona were ascendent and probed for a potential winner.They eventually found it when Kounde intercepted an uncharacteristically loose Luka Modric pass and beat Courtois with a powerful low effort from outside the box, sparking wild celebrations.Rudiger's dismissal and Madrid's pre-match histrionics regarding the refereeing team will ensure the repercussions run on -- and the teams meet again in La Liga in May which could decide the title race.

Barcelona's German goalkeeper #01 Marc-Andre Ter Stegen (CR) and Barcelona's Uruguayan defender #04 Ronald Federico Araujo da Silva (CL) raise their trophy as they celebrate with teammates winning the Spanish Cup, Copa del Rey (King's Cup) final football match between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid CF at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on April 26, 2025.

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Barca beat Real Madrid in ET to win Copa del Rey, keep quadruple bid alive

Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey scored twice, including a perfectly executed bicycle kick, as the...

Cincinnati striker Kevin Denkey scored twice, including a perfectly executed bicycle kick, as the Ohio team beat Sporting Kansas City 2-1 in Major League Soccer on Saturday.The 24-year-old Togo international striker cost Cincinnati a club record fee of over $16 million when he was signed from Belgian club Cercle Brugge in January and he showed exactly why he was so highly rated with his stunning strike.After Kansas City failed to clear a corner, Luca Orellano crossed into a crowded area and Denkey leapt in the air and fired home the spectacular volley to put his team 2-0 up in the 78th minute.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Denkey had opened the scoring in the 43rd minute, following up after Lukas Engel's left-foot shot had been parried out by John Pulskamp.KC pulled a goal back through a Zorhan Bassong blast in the 89th minute but Cincinnati held on for the three points."There are not many words to describe what he did," FC Cincinnati head coach Pat Noonan told reporters about Denkey's wonder-strike."It was one of the best goals I’ve seen in person, certainly."The seventh win in 10 games moves Cincinnati to the top of the Eastern Conference standings ahead of Saturday's later games and Denkey said the team are getting their reward for their efforts.“It’s amazing. We knew that we are a competitive team. What’s working is the hard work, the focus, and the winning mentality we have every time we step on the field," Denkey told Apple TV.

CINCINNATI, OHIO - APRIL 05: Kévin Denkey #9 of FC Cincinnati controls the ball during an MLS soccer match against New England Revolution at TQL Stadium on April 05, 2025 in Cincinnati, Ohio.

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Denkey gets on his bike as Cincinnati keeps rolling in Eastern Conference

Barcelona's Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to send a thrilling Copa del Rey final agains...

Barcelona's Ferran Torres struck in the 84th minute to send a thrilling Copa del Rey final against Real Madrid to extra time, with the score tied at 2-2 on Saturday.Pedri fired Barcelona ahead in the first half in Seville, but substitute Kylian Mbappe levelled after 70 minutes and Aurelien Tchouameni headed the Spanish and European champions into the lead after 77 minutes.The referee, blasted by Real Madrid on Friday for criticising the club television channel's attacks on officials, awarded Barcelona a 96th-minute penalty after Raphinha went down in the box, but changed his mind after reviewing the incident on the VAR screen.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Barcelona are chasing a potential quadruple this season while Real Madrid are hoping to make amends for their Champions League elimination with domestic silverware.

Seville, Spain - April 26: Players of Real Madrid seen protesting to the referee's decision during the Copa del Rey Final macht between FC Barcelona and Real Madrid at Estadio de La Cartuja on April 26, 2025 in Seville, Spain.

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Copa del Rey final goes to ET after Barca have late penalty overturned

Real Madrid started Saturday's Copa del Rey final against rivals Barcelona with superstar Kylian ...

Real Madrid started Saturday's Copa del Rey final against rivals Barcelona with superstar Kylian Mbappe on the bench.France striker Mbappe suffered an ankle injury in his team's Champions League quarter-final defeat by Arsenal last week and had missed their last two La Liga matches.Mbappe is Madrid's top goalscorer with 33 strikes across all competitions.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Madrid lined up with four midfielders, including Jude Bellingham, behind a strike partnership of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo Goes.Ferland Mendy started at left-back for Madrid after recovering from a hamstring injury that has kept him out for six weeks.Hansi Flick selected the expected Barcelona side, with Ferran Torres in for injured top goalscorer Robert Lewandowski up front.Gerard Martin played at left-back in the absence of Alejandro Balde, also sidelined through injury.Flick opted for Dani Olmo in attacking midfield ahead of Fermin Lopez and Gavi, with teenage star Lamine Yamal and red-hot winger Raphinha on the flanks.Goalkeeper Marc-Andre ter Stegen was on the bench after a long-term injury absence, with Wojciech Szczesny between the sticks.Starting line-ups for the Copa del Rey final between Barcelona and Real Madrid at La Cartuja stadium in Seville on Saturday:<h3>Barcelona (4-3-3)</h3>Wojciech Szczesny; Jules Kounde, Pau Cubarsi, Inigo Martinez, Gerard Martin; Frenkie de Jong, Pedri Gonzalez, Dani Olmo; Lamine Yamal, Ferran Torres, RaphinhaCoach: Hansi Flick (GER)<h3>Real Madrid (4-4-2)</h3>Thibaut Courtois; Lucas Vazquez, Raul Asencio, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy; Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, Dani Ceballos, Jude Bellingham; Rodrygo Goes, Vinicius JuniorCoach: Carlo Ancelotti (ITA)Referee: Ricardo de Burgos Bengoetxea (ESP)

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 16: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid looks on prior to the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Quarter Final Second Leg match between Real Madrid C.F. and Arsenal FC at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on April 16, 2025 in Madrid, Spain.

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Mbappe returns from ankle injury for Copa del Rey final

Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years as Ismaila Sarr's double...

Crystal Palace reached the FA Cup final for the first time in nine years as Ismaila Sarr's double and a rocket from Eberechi Eze sealed a 3-0 win against Aston Villa at Wembley on Saturday.Oliver Glasner's side took the lead in the semi-final through Eze's long-range blast before Sarr netted twice in the second half.In the final on May 17, Palace will face Nottingham Forest or Manchester City, who meet in the second semi-final on Sunday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Eagles have never won the FA Cup, losing their two final appearances against Manchester United in 2016 and 1990."All the credit to the players. They had to work so hard. They had to overcome a few difficult moments," Glasner said."We got more control and it was an unbelievable performance. The players stuck to the plan and we never lost our heads."I don't know at the moment how I feel -- a bit exhausted. The players have four days off now. They should enjoy the moment."Villa, who last won the FA Cup in 1957, were hoping to make the final for the first time since 2015.But Unai Emery's team produced a dismal display and will have to settle for fighting to qualify for the Champions League via a top five finish in the Premier League."When they scored the first goal it was more difficult for us and we only reacted after 2-0 and then we created more chances to score and we didn't do. In transition they are very good, and they deserve to win," Emery said."Sorry to our supporters because they were motivated. We have to accept it. We have to be quick to react because in the league we have the most important objective."<h3>Sarr sparkles</h3>Jean-Philippe Mateta had the ball in the back of the net just before the half-hour mark, but it was chalked off after a VAR check confirmed the Palace striker had fouled Ezri Konsa in the build-up.There was no such doubt about Eze's opener, however, after Sarr got in the way of Pau Torres' pass, then collected the resulting ricochet to the right of the Villa area.Sarr found Eze and the midfielder curled a superb strike beyond the reach of Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez.Torres looked for an instant reply when he nodded just over the crossbar.Konsa came closer, forcing Dean Henderson into a low save with a header of his own from a corner.Villa piled on more pressure after the restart when Henderson made another fine save to deny John McGinn's sharp volley, then Lucas Digne fired narrowly wide through a crowd of players.Palace were awarded a 53rd-minute penalty after Eze was tugged down by Boubacar Kamara and Mateta stepped up to the spot after a VAR check, but his shot clipped the post and went wide.Just as Villa started to gain momentum, Adam Wharton intercepted a pass and, after a quick touch from Mateta, Sarr fired into the bottom corner.Henderson repelled a blast from Villa substitute Leon Bailey, moments after Mateta slid in to deny Ross Barkley.Sarr nodded Eze's cross off target, while Matty Cash's attempt to claw a late goal back for Villa sailed wide.Sarr put the seal on Palace's impressive performance in stoppage-time, outpacing Konsa before slotting home to send the Eagles into the final.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Ismaila Sarr of Crystal Palace celebrates scoring his team's third goal with teammates during the Emirates FA Cup Semi Final match between Crystal Palace and Aston Villa at Wembley Stadium on April 26, 2025 in London, England.

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Crystal Palace crush Aston Villa to reach FA Cup final

Cardiff were relegated from the Championship after a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion, while Pl...

Cardiff were relegated from the Championship after a 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion, while Plymouth are on the brink of dropping into the third tier despite a 2-1 win at Preston on Saturday.Just six years after Cardiff were playing in the Premier League, the Bluebirds have slumped into the third tier for the first time since 2003.Former Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey was unable to save Cardiff in his spell as interim manager of the club he still plays for.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Luton delivered a hammer blow to Cardiff earlier in the day with their dramatic 1-0 win against Coventry effectively leaving Ramsey's men needing to win their two final games to have any chance of survival.The stalemate in the Welsh capital ended bottom of the table Cardiff's hopes of beating the drop.Fourth-bottom Luton climbed out of the relegation zone for the first time since January thanks to Shandon Baptiste's 90th-minute winner against Coventry at Kenilworth Road.Sixth-placed Coventry, clinging onto the last play-off berth, had Jay Dasilva sent off in the 13th minute before Luton's Liam Walsh was dismissed midway through the second half.Preston's Championship future still hangs in the balance after slumping to a 2-1 defeat against Plymouth, who are all but relegated.Mustapha Bundu put Plymouth ahead in the 14th minute and Callum Wright came off the bench to net in the 75th minute.Emil Riis scored for Preston in the final minutes but Miron Muslic's second-bottom team held on.Plymouth are three points from safety with a vastly inferior goal difference to their relegation rivals, meaning they are destined to sink into League One on the final day of the season next weekend.Preston sit just one point above the relegation zone after Nat Phillips struck six minutes from time to give Derby a priceless 1-0 win at third-bottom Hull.Derby had dropped to 22nd place after Luton's win over Coventry, but the Rams made it successive away victories to move up to 19th.John Eustace's side still need to beat Stoke on the last day of the season next weekend to guarantee their survival.If Hull win at Portsmouth in their final game, that will be enough to finish ahead of the loser of Derby's clash with Stoke.George Saville's first goal in nearly 18 months gave play-off chasing Millwall a crucial 1-0 victory over Swansea at The Den.The Lions trail Coventry only on goal difference thanks to their fifth successive home win.They will head to promoted Burnley on the last day, while Coventry host Middlesbrough, who were held to a 0-0 draw by Norwich.Blackburn's 2-1 win against Watford leaves them one point behind Coventry and Millwall in the play-off hunt.

CARDIFF, WALES - APRIL 26: Ollie Tanner (L) and Yousef Salech of Cardiff City (R) react at full time as they get relegated to League One during the Sky Bet Championship match between Cardiff City and West Bromwich Albion at the Cardiff City Stadium on April 26, 2025 in Cardiff, Wales.

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Cardiff relegated from Championship, Plymouth face drop

Chelsea boosted their bid to qualify for the Champions League as Nicolas Jackson ended his 13-gam...

Chelsea boosted their bid to qualify for the Champions League as Nicolas Jackson ended his 13-game goal drought to seal a crucial 1-0 win against Everton on Saturday.Jackson struck in the first half at Stamford Bridge to get back on the scoresheet for the first time since December.The much-maligned Senegal forward's 10th goal of the season was enough to lift Enzo Maresca's side temporarily into fourth place in the Premier League.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Blues' second successive Premier League win was vital to their attempt to finish in the top five."First half we controlled the game, we dominated, created chances and didn't concede nothing. Then second half we dropped a little bit," Maresca said. "We were strong, nasty enough when we needed to be like that. Overall I think we deserved to win and we are happy."Chelsea dropped to fifth place after Newcastle beat Ipswich later on Saturday, but Jackson's winner ensured they remain in the hunt to return to the Champions League with four games left.Despite the much-needed result, it was another nervous afternoon for Maresca, who insisted this week that his first season at Chelsea has not been a failure after criticism of the Italian's conservative tactics.Maresca barely celebrated last weekend's 2-1 win at Fulham, leaving the pitch immediately after the final whistle in a move that was interpreted as a response to mounting abuse from frustrated supporters.The former Leicester manager's cautious game plans have irked fans, who have jeered Maresca and his players several times this season.Maresca is adamant he deserves respect for his work at Chelsea, who finished sixth under his predecessor Mauricio Pochettino last term.Chelsea are still not firing on all cylinders, but an uplifting climax is within reach as they aim to seal a place in the Champions League and win the UEFA Conference League.<h3>Redemption for Jackson</h3>The Blues threatened an early goal when Noni Madueke surged away clear on the left flank and cut inside for a low curler that forced a fine save from Jordan Pickford.That near-miss set the stage for Chelsea to seize control in the 27th minute with a well-crafted opener.Everton striker Beto was dispossessed near the halfway line and Enzo Fernandez caressed a precise pass into Jackson, who turned in a flash and drilled a superb strike into the bottom corner from 20 yards.In the midst of a difficult season marred by a lengthy absence with a hamstring injury, it was a sweet moment of redemption for Jackson.Out-played for much of the first half, Everton nearly drew level just before the interval.Vitalii Mykolenko clipped his pass to Abdoulaye Doucoure and the unmarked midfielder headed wide when he should at least have forced Robert Sanchez to make a save.Everton were winless in their previous 61 away league games when trailing at half-time since a victory at West Bromwich Albion in 2015.Pickford denied Madueke early in the second half as the Chelsea winger tried his luck from a tight angle.Beto carried Everton's biggest threat and he went close with a low blast from Jack Harrison's pass, forcing Sanchez to save at full stretch.Idrissa Gueye should have done better than shoot straight at Sanchez from a good position inside the area.In stoppage-time, Carlos Alcaraz's cross reached Dwight McNeil in the area, but Sanchez made an agile save."You can see how his teammates celebrated with him at the end of the game," Maresca said of Sanchez, who has been heavily criticized for high-profile errors this season. "The team know that for Robert it's not been a good moment so they try to support and help him."He had many good moments this season. The one against Tottenham at home, we were winning 1-0 and 90 minutes he did a great save ... About Robert, we remember the mistakes but he's had some very good moments with us."Everton's profligacy proved decisive as Chelsea held on to Maresca's intense relief.

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 26: Nicolas Jackson of Chelsea celebrates scoring his team's first goal with teammates Noni Madueke and Enzo Fernandez during the Premier League match between Chelsea FC and Everton FC at Stamford Bridge on April 26, 2025 in London, England.

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Jackson ends drought as Chelsea boost top-5 push

Atletico Madrid cruised to a 3-0 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano on Thursday as they bounced back...

Atletico Madrid cruised to a 3-0 La Liga win over Rayo Vallecano on Thursday as they bounced back from defeat at Las Palmas last weekend.Real Betis bolstered their Champions League ambitions with a 5-1 win over Real Valladolid, confirming the visitors' long-expected relegation.Atletico have little to play for in the rest of the season with leaders Barcelona 10 points clear with five matches remaining, but produced a solid derby display.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Alexander Sorloth opened the scoring in the third minute after Giuliano Simeone, son of coach Diego, crossed for the Norwegian target man to nod home at the back post.It was a formula which should have led to more goals for Atletico but the striker wasted several presentable opportunities.Sorloth headed over a  few minutes later and then was denied by Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla.Atletico were outplaying Rayo but the visitors could have levelled when Isi Palazon drilled towards the far corner and Jan Oblak made a fine save.Sorloth spurned another headed opportunity before Conor Gallagher struck just before half-time.Rodrigo de Paul lofted a cross into the area which the former Chelsea midfielder nodded beyond Batalla.Oblak tipped over a Palazon header as Rayo looked for an equaliser, before Atletico substitute Antoine Griezmann fired narrowly wide after a Julian Alvarez backheel teed him up.Julian Alvarez rounded off the win in the second half with his 15th La Liga goal of the season after Griezmann sent him through.Real Betis bolstered their hopes of finishing in the top five as they hammered Valladolid at the Benito Villamarin stadium with playmaker Isco on the scoresheet.Former Brazil great Ronaldo is the majority shareholder at Valladolid, who were promoted last season but immediately return to the second tier after losing 25 of their 33 games so far.Betis moved fifth, two points above Villarreal who have a game in hand which they will play on Sunday against Espanyol.Earlier, Osasuna beat Sevilla 1-0 and Leganes grabbed a late 1-1 draw at home against Girona, leaving the Madrid side 19th and four points from safety.

SEVILLE, SPAIN - APRIL 24: Alvaro Rubio, Head Coach of Real Valladolid CF comforts Javi Sanchez of Real Valladolid CF after sustaining an injury during the LaLiga match between Real Betis Balompie and Real Valladolid CF at Estadio Benito Villamarin on April 24, 2025 in Seville, Spain.

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Atletico thump Rayo, Valladolid relegated after Betis defeat

Leicester captain Jamie Vardy will leave the former Premier League champions at the end of the se...

Leicester captain Jamie Vardy will leave the former Premier League champions at the end of the season, the relegated club announced on Thursday.The talismanic forward, a key member of the side that lifted the English league title against the odds in 2016, was described by the club as "our greatest-ever player."The former England international, 38, joined the Foxes in 2012 from non-league side Fleetwood Town for £1 million ($1.3 million) and has scored 198 goals in nearly 500 appearances.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>He is the club's record Premier League goalscorer with 143 goals.Vardy scored 24 times in the 2015-16 Premier League campaign, helping the Foxes to their first top-flight title in one of the greatest shocks in football history.The pacy forward was also part of Leicester's 2021 FA Cup-winning side, who beat Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley. "We can confirm legendary striker Jamie Vardy will leave Leicester City this summer after 13 seasons that have seen him become our greatest-ever player," the club said in a statement."Jamie is unique," said chairman Aiyawatt Srivaddhanaprabha."He is a special player and an even more special person."He holds a place in the hearts of everyone connected to Leicester City, and he certainly has my deepest respect and affection. I am endlessly grateful for everything he has given to this football club."<h3>'Devastated'</h3>Vardy said he was "devastated" to be leaving the Foxes but the time was right."To the fans of Leicester, I'm gutted that this day is coming, but I knew it was going to come eventually," he said in a video posted by Leicester on social media."I've spent 13 unbelievable years at this club, with lots of success, and some downs, but the majority have all been highs."Vardy is the last remaining player from Leicester's 2016 title success still at the King Power Stadium.Leicester were relegated in 2023 but the forward stayed with the club and helped them to an immediate return to the Premier League.But they are heading straight back to the Championship after a miserable season.Vardy, who has scored seven goals in 31 league appearances this season, gave a scathing assessment of Leicester's campaign after relegation was confirmed on Sunday following a 1-0 defeat by Liverpool."This season has been nothing but miserable and for me personally, a total embarrassment", he said in a social media post. "It hurts".Ruud van Nistelrooy's side are 19th in the table, having collected 18 points from their 33 matches.The club have five games left this season and confirmed Vardy's final game at the King Power Stadium would be on May 18 against Ipswich, who are nearly certain to be relegated.

LEICESTER, ENGLAND - MAY 07: Jamie Vardy of Leicester City kisses the Premier League Trophy after the Barclays Premier League match between Leicester City and Everton at The King Power Stadium on May 7, 2016 in Leicester, United Kingdom.

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'Greatest-ever' Vardy to leave Leicester City at end of season

Inter Milan head into the final straight of their title battle with Napoli locked on points at th...

Inter Milan head into the final straight of their title battle with Napoli locked on points at the top of Serie A and reeling from a crushing derby defeat which ended the champions' hopes of the treble.Last weekend's last-gasp defeat at Bologna left Inter ahead of Napoli on goal difference and Simone Inzaghi's team will have to dust themselves down from a 3-0 loss to AC Milan on Wednesday which cost them a place in the Italian Cup final.Inter host Roma on Sunday afternoon in a match which was pushed back a day so that it and two others didn't clash with Pope Francis' funeral, which will be held at St Peter's Square in Vatican City on Saturday.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>The Pope's death on Monday, and the five days of nationwide mourning then declared by the Italian government, caused a fixture reshuffle which has done Inter little good ahead of their trip to Barcelona for next week's first leg of their Champions League semi-final.Inter already looked tired when falling to Riccardo Orsolini's stoppage-time bicycle kick at Bologna, and they now have one day fewer to prepare for Barca after a painful defeat to Milan."It's pointless denying it (that his players are tired) but we have to keep going. There's obviously some mental and physical tiredness but we have to be stronger than the fixture list," said Inzaghi on Wednesday.At least seven more games await Inter between now and the end of the season, after which the three-time European champions jet off to the United States for the revamped Club World Cup and a minimum of three group matches.The Gazzetta Dello Sport reports that Inter were given the possibility to play on Saturday night but that the club decided that would cause enough controversy to effectively cancel out the benefit of an extra night's rest before Barca.Roma should be tricky opponents for Inter as Claudio Ranieri's team are unbeaten in 17 Serie A matches and still in the hunt for Champions League football.The capital club are three points behind fourth-placed Bologna and one of five teams contesting the final spot in the top four.Napoli, meanwhile, have a clear opening to claim their second Scudetto in three seasons with Sunday's match with 10th-placed Torino the only one of their remaining five fixtures against a team in the top half of the table.However, all is not well in Naples with coach Antonio Conte openly criticising the club for lack of investment in the team and even the training ground.Conte could be without David Neres for the rest of the season after the ex-Brazil winger tore a muscle in his left calf in training, an injury that the fiery former Italy manager blamed on Napoli not relaying the pitches at Castel Volturno.Neres was signed last summer but became a replacement for Khvicha Kvaratskhelia following the Georgian star's January move to Paris Saint-Germain, and he has performed well for Conte.<h3>Player to watch: Lautaro Martinez</h3>Fourteen goals since the turn of the year have made captain Martinez Inter's man for the big occasion, and he will have to put in another shift against Roma with the champions thin in attack.With Marcus Thuram still out with a hamstring injury, Martinez will be flanked by one of Inter's three replacement strikers, none of whom have convinced when either he or Thuram have been unavailable.Wednesday's comprehensive defeat at the hands of Milan featured another anonymous display from Mehdi Taremi, while Marko Arnautovic has only shown flashes of talent in his outings up front.<h3>Key stats</h3>71: The number points Inter and Napoli have gathered this season.10: Inter will have to play a minimum of 10 more matches between now and the end of June, compared to Napoli's five.<h3>Fixtures</h3>Sunday<ul>
<li>Como vs. Genoa</li>
<li>Venezia vs. AC Milan</li>
<li>Fiorentina vs. Empoli</li>
<li>Inter Milan vs. Roma</li>
<li>Juventus vs. Monza</li>
<li>Napoli vs. Torino</li>
</ul>Monday<ul>
<li>Udinese vs. Bologna</li>
<li>Lazio vs. Parma</li>
<li>Verona vs. Cagliari</li>
</ul>

STADIO GIUSEPPE MEAZZA, MILANO, ITALY - 2025/04/23: Lautaro Martinez of Fc Internazionale looks dejected during the Coppa Italia semi-final second leg match beetween Fc Internazionale and Ac Milan. Ac Milan wins 3-0 over Fc Internazionale.Ac Milan went through to the next round with an aggregate score of 4-1.

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Inter's Scudetto defense flagging after treble dream dies

Liverpool are on the brink of winning the Premier League title after Arsenal were held to a 2-2 d...

Liverpool are on the brink of winning the Premier League title after Arsenal were held to a 2-2 draw by Crystal Palace on Wednesday.Arne Slot's side were watching in anticipation of an Arsenal defeat that would have secured Liverpool's record-equalling 20th English title.They didn't get their wish to start the party just yet, but Liverpool look certain to lift the trophy for the first time since 2020 after Jean-Philippe Mateta's late equaliser for Palace at the Emirates Stadium.<div class="the-score-article-ad-unit"></div>Liverpool are 12 points ahead of second-placed Arsenal, who have just four games left and an inferior goal difference of +34 compared to the leaders' +44.The Reds, who have five matches remaining, will be assured of matching the 20 titles won by bitter rivals Manchester United if they avoid defeat against Tottenham at Anfield on Sunday.While the champagne remains on ice for Slot's men, it is only a matter of time before Liverpool finish their relentless march to the title after Arsenal's third draw in their last four league games.Jakub Kiwior put the Gunners ahead early on but Eberechi Eze equalised for Palace.Leandro Trossard restored Arsenal's advantage before half-time, only for Mateta to come off the bench and bag a sublime leveller with seven minutes left.Arsenal had delayed Liverpool's celebrations by routing Ipswich 4-0 on Sunday when a defeat for the Gunners and a Reds win over Leicester would have ended the title race.Mikel Arteta's team again kept Liverpool waiting a few days longer, but their real focus was already on Tuesday's Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain.Arsenal will be making their first Champions League last four appearance since 2009 when they host the French club in the first leg.Arteta had insisted he would not rest his stars against Palace with a view to protecting them for the PSG showdown.But he opted to leave Bukayo Saka on the bench after the England winger was left limping by a foul from Ipswich's Leif Davis last weekend, with Mikel Merino and Ben White not fit to feature.<h3>Title within touching distance</h3>With Palace facing an FA Cup semi-final clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, Oliver Glasner started without key forwards Mateta and Ismaila Sarr.Arsenal looked set to take advantage of Palace's Wembley distraction when they went in front after just three minutes.It was another success for Arsenal's set-piece coach Nicolas Jover as they scored from a well-worked dead ball routine for a Premier League leading 16th time this season.Martin Odegaard whipped a free-kick into the Palace area and Kiwior was left completely unmarked to power his header past Dean Henderson from 12 yards.The Poland defender's first league goal since February 2024 was almost followed by an immediate Palace equaliser as David Raya saved Daniel Munoz's volley from an acute angle.So switched on when attacking from set-pieces, Arsenal were caught out from one when Palace equalised in the 27th minute.Adam Wharton picked out the unmarked Eze on the edge of the area and the England midfielder's agile volley went in off the post after bouncing past an unsighted Raya.Trossard put Arsenal back ahead in the 42nd minute as the Belgian took Jurrien Timber's pass and deftly evaded two Palace defenders before clipping a deflected finish into the bottom corner from 12 yards.Arteta took a risk by sending on Saka for the last half an hour, but it was Palace were on the offensive as Justin Devenny's header was tipped over by Raya.Henderson made a brilliant save to push Saka's volley over and Palace took advantage of that escape to snatch an 83rd-minute equaliser.William Saliba carelessly conceded possession and Mateta pounced to chip a superb finish over the out of position Raya from 30 yards to leave Liverpool within touching distance of the title.

Liverpool's Cody Gakpo celebrates scoring their side's first goal of the game during the Premier League match at Anfield, Liverpool. Picture date: Sunday December 1, 2024.

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Liverpool 1 point away from title after Arsenal's draw with Palace

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