Don't Let This Slip!

🥈 Deep in stoppage time and level with Mallorca, Real Madrid had effectively conceded the title to Barcelona. One problem: nobody told the Madrid youths!

Rarely do you see so many unrecognizable names clad in the iconic all-white strips, but an amalgamation of youngsters seized their opportunity, culminating in a 95th-minute Jacobo Ramon toe-poke for a dramatic winner that would extend Barcelona’s title wait by a day.

🏆 But Jacobo Ramon’s heroics were for naught. Be honest, you already forgot Jacobo Ramon’s name anyway. A goal from Lamine Yamal, cutting in from the right for a trademark curling finish on his left, put the league leaders and presumptive title winners ahead at crosstown rivals Espanyol.

Fermin Lopez removed the “presumptive” with a late goal to begin the celebrations (which would swiftly retreat to the changing rooms to avoid a repeat of the ugly scenes two years ago).

Hansi Flick delivered a managerial masterclass this season, transforming this Barcelona side with the help of a fearsome attacking trident in Raphinha, Lewandowski, and Yamal. The win at Espanyol clinches a domestic treble and emphasizes the magnitude of their domestic domination. If not for Inter’s heroics, they might be staring down a date with PSG in Munich for a shot at a quadruple.

What a campaign.

🇪🇺✅ Athletic Bilbao eased the sting of their Europa League defeat by clinching Champions League qualification with a two-goal win over Getafe.

🟡 Villareal took a lengthy stride toward their own Champions League dreams, beating Leganes 3-0 with a brace from Ayoze Perez. The Yellow Submarine has found its form at the perfect time, winning four straight with a surging Real Betis hot on their heels. The loss leaves Leganes a four-point hill to climb for safety, made steeper by Alavés’ critical 1-0 win over Valencia.

📈 Celta Vigo continues to charge toward Europa League qualification, beating Sociedad 1-0 with a goal from Alfonso Gonzalez.

😬 After Ultras stormed the training complex, forcing some players to shelter overnight, Sevilla rewarded that behavior with a dub to guarantee safety—from relegation and who knows what else. Alvaro Garcia Pascual was the lone goalscorer.

📉 Betis drew 2-2 with Rayo Vallecano, significantly hampering their hopes of playing Champions League football. Cucho Hernandez has scored in three of their last four La Liga matches.

🇮🇹 With a goal from Dan Ndoye, Bologna claimed its first major, domestic silverware since 1974, beating AC Milan 1-0.

The loss extinguishes Sergio Conceicao’s chances of continuing on the Milan bench next season.

🇳🇱 Holy bottlejob!

A 96th-minute equalizer for ten-man Groningen dealt a near-fatal blow to Ajax’s title hopes. The Amsterdam giant was nine points clear at the top of the Eredivisie mere weeks ago before going winless in their last four matches. Now, they’ll enter the final day trailing PSV (4-1 winners against Heracles) by a point. With a goal difference barely half of PSV’s, it’s a wonder Ajax led for as long as they did.

Incredible collapse, quite literally the largest in the history of European football. Hendo endured the Stevie G slip only to be reincarnated as a player on an Ajax side that’s the metaphorical equivalent.

Look at the reaction from the fans watching in the arena in Eindhoven:

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 The richest match in sports is set. With a 122nd-minute headed goal that would make a contortionist blush, Daniel Ballard sent Sunderland to Wembley in front of a rapturous Stadium of Light. The drama of lower-tier football in May remains undefeated.

The Black Cats will face Sheffield United for a chance at Premier League glory.

🇹🇷 As Galatasaray prepares its title celebrations, it’ll need to find room for two trophies in the cabinet, as they won the Turkish Cup Final 3-0 with a brace from Victor Osimhen. Osimhen has 35 goals in all competitions this season, a club record for a foreign player.

🇺🇸 The frustration continues for Inter Miami, who drew 3-3 with San Jose. They’ve failed to win five of their last six. Cincinnati stays put atop the Eastern Conference, as a Kevin Denkey goal sealed a 1-0 win over Toronto.

🇲🇽 In the first leg of Clausura Semifinal action, Tigres and Toluca drew 1-1, while Cruz Azul beat Club América 1-0 behind a “Richarlison” brace (what we call a goal and a red card) from Ignacio Rivero.

🇧🇷 In matchday five of six in the CONMEBOL Libertadores, Botafogo preserved its chances of advancing from Group A with a 3-2 win over second-place Estudiantes. They’re level on points, with the tiebreaker going to Estudiantes.

🇸🇦 With a 3-0 win over Al-Raed, Al-Ittihad clinched the Saudi Pro League title with two matches to spare. Former Spur Steven Bergwijn scored for the champions.

Chasing Champions League

• 2nd-place Arsenal (68 points) hosts 3rd-place Newcastle (66 points)

• 4th-place Manchester City (65 points) not in PL action (FA Cup)

• 5th-place Chelsea (63 points) hosts 16th-place Manchester United

• 6th-place Villa (63 points) hosts 17th-place Tottenham

• 7th-place Forest (62 points) visits 15th-place West Ham

Breakdown: Newcastle has a chance to climb into second place on Sunday, but the quality of the opposition also poses a threat, as Chelsea and Villa could climb level on points. On paper, Chelsea, Villa, and Forest are playing the worst non-relegated sides in the league. The question is which of those opponents will actually play to that dismal level. The Europa League finalists will be looking ahead, perhaps leaving Forest with the toughest draw. Do-or-die game for the Trees. 

Don’t forget: It’s goodbye Goodison on Sunday morning as Everton host Southampton in the final match at their storied ground. The echoes of James Tarkowski’s 96th-minute equalizer in a 2-2 win over Liverpool will reverberate around the ground in eternity.

FA Cup Final - Palace vs. City

Please, Eberechi Eze. Deliver this trophy for Palace and for everyone in the league not named Manchester City. Jean-Philippe Mateta, cement the immortality of your unparalleled, tucked-in aura.

Avenge him.

With the title decided, focus in Spain on the penultimate matchday turns to the races for Europe and the relegation fight.

Chasing Champions League

• 5th-place Villareal (64 points) @ 1st-place Barcelona

• 6th-place Betis (59 points) @ 3rd-place Atlético

Breakdown: Not a pretty draw for either side, though neither opponent has anything left to play for. A toss-up and a potential opportunity for Betis to pull within striking distance before the final matchday.

European notes: Should their push fail, Betis look a very likely candidate for Europa League, whether achieved through their league record or through a win in the Conference League Final. Celta Vigo and Rayo Vallecano meet on Saturday; a win would confirm Celta Vigo’s place in the competition, leaving Rayo Vallecano to fight with Osasuna and Mallorca for a Conference League spot.

Resisting Relegation

• 16th-place Espanyol (39 points) @ 9th-place Osasuna

• 17th-place Alaves (38 points) @ 20th-place Valladolid

• 18th-place Leganes (34 points) @ 19th-place Las Palmas

Advantage: A win would see Espanyol claim safety, and a draw would have them in good standing, though Leganes has the tiebreaker advantage. Alaves faces the worst team in the league, relegated weeks ago, with a chance to guarantee their survival. Meanwhile, it’s do-or-die time for Leganes against newly relegated Las Palmas. A must-win.

Scudetto Search

• 1st-place Napoli (78 points) @ Parma

• 2nd-place Inter (77 points) hosts Lazio

Advantage: Napoli. Lazio is a very difficult matchup, even at the San Siro. But beware: Parma drew against Lazio and beat Juventus last week. They’re no pushovers.

Chasing Champions League

• 4th-place Juventus (64 points) hosts 12th-place Udinese

• 5th-place Lazio (64 points) @ 2nd-place Inter

• 6th-place Roma (63 points) hosts 8th-place Milan

• 7th-place Bologna @ 9th-place Fiorentina

Advantage: Juventus. Not since Betty White was cast in The Proposal has an Old Lady had such an opportunity. Their Champions League case could become near-unassailable should their competitors fall against difficult opposition.

Resisting Relegation

• 16th-place Parma (32 points) hosts 1st-place Napoli

• 17th-place Venezia (29 points) @ 14th-place Cagliari

• 18th-place Lecce (28 points) hosts 11th-place Torino

• 19th-place Empoli (28 points) @ 20th-place Monza

Advantage: Empoli, again, though not decisively. A trip to Monza is about as accommodating a draw as they could hope for, but aside from Parma's, the other opposition isn’t particularly stiff either.

Auf Wiedersehen, Bundesliga!

Our final German matchday preview of the season is here, and there’s plenty left to contest.

Chasing Champions League

• 3rd-place Frankfurt (57 points) @ 4th-place Freiburg (55 points)

• 5th-place Dortmund (54 points) hosts 17th-place Holstein Kiel

Advantage: Dortmund, duh.

Holstein Kiel are already relegated. Win, and the rest will likely take care of itself with their opposition facing each other. Here’s how Dortmund could complete their improbable and amazing ascent into Champions League football.

• A win and either a Freiburg loss or draw, or a Frankfurt loss that erases their 3-goal advantage in goal difference

• A draw and a Freiburg loss (since Freiburg’s goal difference remains negative)

European notes: Whichever side is the odd man out of those three looks a likely bet for the Europa League spot. Mainz, Leipzig, and Bremen are all technically in the picture for Conference League play, but it will ultimately come down to Mainz and Leipzig, who are level on points. Mainz boasts a goal difference comfortably superior to Leipzig’s, but they host a Leverkusen side looking to give Xabi Alonso (and most of its star players) a sendoff.

Resisting Relegation

• 15th-place Hoffenheim (32 points) hosts 1st-place Bayern

• 16th-place Heidenheim (29 points) hosts 8th-place Bremen

Breakdown: For Heidenheim to achieve automatic safety and condemn Hoffenheim to the playoff, they would need a win and a Hoffenheim loss that overturns a 6-goal shortcoming in GD. And realistically, they need a 7-goal swing, as they would lose the second tiebreaker, which is goals scored.

It’s conceivable that Hoffenheim could lose to Bayern 4-0 if the champions are in the mood. But is it conceivable that Heidenheim could blank Bremen and run up the score? Less so.

Don’t forget: The match against Hoffenheim will be Thomas Muller’s final act in the Bundesliga as a Bayern Munich player. How watery your eyes should get for it depends on how seriously you take the Club World Cup, as Muller makes his last bow for Bayern in the competition.

Au revoir, Ligue 1!

The title was decided weeks ago, but the frenzied battle for Europe has given us a delightfully chaotic finish to the season, and the final day looks like a drama-soaked occasion.

Chasing Champions League

• 4th-place Nice (57 points) hosts 8th-place Brest

• 5th-place Lille (57 points) hosts 14th-place Reims

• 6th-place Strasbourg (57 points) hosts 16th-place Le Havre

• 7th-place Lyon (54 points) hosts 13th-place Angers

Breakdown: Nice have a four-goal advantage over Lille and a six-goal advantage over Strasbourg, meaning the 5th and 6th-place sides will have to hope for a Nice slip-up against Brest. They are the toughest opposition of the weekend by some margin, but Strasbourg face a Le Havre side fighting for survival. Lyon’s chances—needing all three sides above them to lose—look extremely dim, though their goal difference is superior to Lille’s and Strasbourg’s, which could be important for Europa (5th) or Conference League (6th) qualification.

Have to like the look of the slate if you’re Lille.

Resisting Relegation

• 14th-place Reims (33 points) @ 5th-place Lille

• 15th-place Nantes (33 points) hosts 18th-place Montpellier

• 16th-place Le Havre (31 points) visits 6th-place Strasbourg

• 17th-place St-Etienne (30 points) hosts 12th-place Toulouse

Breakdown: The relegation fight looks incredibly intriguing in France, where four sides all have a chance to go down. Reims and Nantes can only fall into the relegation playoff spot, while Le Havre will fight for automatic safety, and St-Etienne will hope for a chance to contest its survival in the playoff.

Certainly reason to be concerned if you’re Le Havre, though, frankly, nobody will feel safe heading into the final day.

🇵🇹 The final matchday in Portugal arrives on Saturday, as first-place Sporting hosts fifth-place Vitoria SC at 1:00 PM ET, and second-place Benfica pays a visit to fourth-place Braga. This title race is so tight that even their final-day opposition is separated by one place. Should they finish the day as they started, level on points, Sporting will be champions thanks to their superior head-to-head performance.

🇧🇪 It’s the penultimate matchday in Belgium this weekend, with leaders Union Saint-Gilloise visiting Antwerp (SAT 2:45 PM ET) and second-place Club Brugge visiting Anderlecht (SUN 7:30 AM ET). Just one point separates the sides.

🇳🇱 Ajax will have to rise from the grave and hope PSV plummets into one to avoid one of the most embarrassing collapses on record. Ajax hosts six-place Twente at 8:30 AM ET, while PSV visits 11th-place Sparta Rotterdam. PSV leads by a point with a goal differential nearly double Ajax’s.

Chances of a Hendo shuffle looking very slim.

🇹🇷 A win would see Galatasaray (home against Kayserispor SUN @ 12:00 PM ET) seal the title in Turkey, as would dropped points from Fenerbahce (home against Eyupspor, same time).

🇺🇸 The top two teams in the Eastern Conference clash on Saturday as second-place Philadelphia hosts first-place Columbus at 7:30 PM ET Saturday. Messi and company will pay a visit to Minnesota, who currently sit second in the West, at 4:30 ET.

🇲🇽 In Mexico, the second legs of the Clausura Semifinals await:

• Toluca vs. Tigres UANL (1-1 Agg, 9:00 PM ET SAT)

• Club América vs. Cruz Azul (0-1 Agg, 9:15 PM ET SUN)

🇧🇷 Third-place Bragantino hosts first-place Palmeiras on Sunday at 5:30 PM ET. Two points separate the sides in the season’s early going.

🇦🇷 The Torneo Apertura knockouts continue, as Boca Juniors hosts Independiente in the quarterfinals on Monday at 8:30 PM ET.

⚪ Real Madrid have reportedly approached Bournemouth to trigger the release clause of defender Dean Huijsen. Huijsen, a Spanish international, always preferred a move to Madrid, though it was unclear if it would be a priority for the club this summer. Question answered. His favored Premier League club was reportedly Liverpool, though he did not lack for suitors.

If those two clubs meet at Anfield in Champions League competition next season, the rivalry might accelerate to bitter heights. Liverpool may want to start planting fake rumors of transfer interest in the media to goad Madrid into some poor signings. Rumor has it Liverpool is head over heels about the idea of a reunion with Iago Aspas…

🏎️ The race for Florian Wirtz is heating up. Long thought to be destined for Bayern, Wirtz is one of the most attractive young attacking talents in football, and Leverkusen want their money’s worth…which may be more than Bayern is willing to pay. Enter the Premier League. Liverpool and City are both interested and better positioned to offer the requisite fee.

🦩 Jordi Alba has extended his contract with Inter Miami through 2027. Core among the “Friends” in “Messi and Friends,” Alba will hope to shore up Miami’s recent struggles and win a title in the coming years.