Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 17, 2026, 11:42 AM ET

Premier League Wrap-Up

Bruno Fernandes equaled the Premier League single-season assist record with his 20th helper of the campaign, matching the mark previously held by Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry as Manchester United defeated Nottingham Forest 3-2. The Portuguese midfielder's record-equaling performance came as United secured a crucial victory that kept them in contention for European qualification, while Liverpool's title hopes crumbled following a 4-2 defeat to Aston Villa that leaves them needing results to go their way on the final day. Pep Guardiola's Manchester City celebrated FA Cup glory with a 1-0 victory over Chelsea but were immediately barred from post-match celebrations as attention turned to their decisive Premier League clash with Bournemouth, where a win would secure Champions League football.

Women's Super League Champions

Manchester City capped their dominant WSL campaign with a 4-1 victory over West Ham that saw Khadija "Bunny" Shaw net twice to finish with 21 goals for the season and secure the Golden Boot award. The triumph marked City's comfortable title win with three games to spare as they finished six points clear of Arsenal, who claimed second place behind a brace from Alessia Russo in their 3-1 victory over Liverpool. Chelsea's WSL campaign ended in third place despite Sam Kerr's winning goal in her final appearance for the club against Manchester United, while Mary Earps closed in on a WSL return after confirming her exit from Paris St-Germain is imminent.

Scottish Championship Drama

Celtic capped an eight-month chase to claim their fifth successive Scottish Premiership title with a dramatic 3-1 victory over Hearts that sparked chaotic scenes at Parkhead. Police Scotland launched an investigation into criminality after two officers were seriously injured and 14 arrests were made during disorder that followed the title celebrations, with Hearts officials reporting serious physical and verbal abuse toward their players and staff. Martin O'Neill kept the door open to staying as Celtic manager after delivering the championship, stating the club had given him "reasons to live," while Rangers prepared for substantial changes after chairman Andrew Cavenagh backed manager Danny Rohl for next season's rebuild.

Managerial Carousel Intensifies

José Mourinho admitted Real Madrid return talks are ongoing as he confirmed agent Jorge Mendes is in contact with the Spanish giants about potentially taking charge next season. The Portuguese tactician completed an unbeaten Primeira Liga campaign with Benfica but missed out on Champions League qualification, adding fuel to speculation about his departure. Meanwhile, Xabi Alonso officially joined Chelsea on a four-year deal as the club seeks stability after a turbulent campaign that included an FA Cup final loss and fan protests, with the former Real Madrid boss tasked with rebuilding confidence at Stamford Bridge.

Transfer Market Movement

Manchester United agreed to permanent terms with Michael Carrick on a two-year deal to continue as head coach after impressing in interim charge, while the club monitored Sporting Lisbon midfielder Mateus Fernandes among several transfer targets. Paris St-Germain entered the race for West Ham's Neco Williams as Arsenal and Manchester United also expressed interest in the Welsh full-back, and Barcelona continued pursuit of Chelsea's Joao Pedro as they look to strengthen their attacking options for next season.

Injury Concerns Mount

Manchester United defender Matthijs de Ligt will miss the World Cup with the Netherlands after undergoing back surgery that sidelines him until the start of the 2026-27 season, dealing a significant blow to Ronald Koeman's defensive plans. Romelu Lukaku made Belgium's World Cup squad despite ongoing injury concerns, while Mohamed Salah returned to Liverpool's squad for their crucial Premier League clash with Aston Villa after missing recent matches through injury. Christian Pulisic made a successful return from injury as a second-half substitute, helping AC Milan secure a vital 2-1 victory at Genoa that maintained their Serie A title challenge.

FA Cup Final Fallout

Manchester City's FA Cup victory came via January signings as Antoine Semenyo and Marc Guéhi delivered standout performances in the 1-0 win over Chelsea at Wembley. The triumph secured City's place in European competition but raised questions about whether it would paper over Chelsea's season-long struggles after a campaign marked by managerial changes and fan unrest. Guéhi described his FA Cup journey as "crazy" after a rollercoaster 12 months in the competition that culminated in his decisive contribution at Wembley.

World Cup Preparations

South Korea captain Son Heung-min earned selection for his fourth World Cup as South Korea's squad was announced, while France omitted Eduardo Camavinga and included Jean-Philippe Mateta in their 26-man roster. Kylian Mbappé revealed he was benched as Real Madrid's fourth-choice forward after Álvaro Arbeloa informed him of the decision, leading to boos from the Bernabéu crowd. The tournament gained an official anthem as Shakira and Burna Boy released "Dai Dai" for the 2026 World Cup, while Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund secured sponsorship status for the tournament.