Football/Soccer 3 Days

Last updated: May 24, 2026, 2:50 PM ET

Premier League Final Day: Title, Goodbyes and Relegation

Arsenal celebrated their league triumph with a 2-1 victory over Crystal Palace on the final day, completing a campaign built on the best defensive record in the club's history. Across the divide, Tottenham scrambled to safety with a 1-0 win over toothless Everton, Joao Palhinha's first-half strike sparing them from the drop in a season littered with embarrassment and near misses. West Ham were less fortunate, relegated despite a 3-0 demolition of Leeds, while Burnley and Wolves played out a 1-1 draw in their farewell before returning to the Championship. Liverpool secured Champions League qualification with a 1-1 draw against Brentford, a day of emotional goodbyes for Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson who depart as all-time greats. Mohamed Salah's nine-year spell at Anfield has seen him transform from a so-called "Chelsea flop" into a legend who transcended the sport and Bruno Fernandes broke the single-season assist record in United's final match. Sunderland clinched a 2-1 win over Chelsea to confirm their Europa League spot, with manager Frédéric Le Bris calling it a "perfect" qualification one year on from promotion and Bournemouth, Brighton and Liverpool completing the European contingent.

Pep Guardiola's Farewell and the managerial reckoning

Pep Guardiola confirmed he is leaving Manchester City after nearly a decade, with his final game set against Aston Villa where Watkins put Villa ahead early. The Spaniard declined to advise City on his successor, insisting the club cannot "copy and paste" his approach. He also revealed his biggest regret was not giving Joe Hart a chance to prove himself at the Etihad. Guardiola's departure raises questions about how City's 115 Premier League charges for alleged financial rule breaches could affect his legacy, while rival fans offered mixed tributes ahead of his last match and Spanish football expert Guillem Balague argued he stands apart from every other manager in history. The debate over whether Guardiola or Sir Alex Ferguson is the greatest Premier League manager continues to divide opinion, with no clear method to crown a definitive No. 1.

European Action and Cup Finals

Harry Kane scored a hat trick in Bayern Munich's 3-0 German Cup final win, taking his season tally to 61 goals and lifting the trophy for the 21st time. Meanwhile, Lens won their first French Cup with a 3-1 victory over Nice, Florian Thauvin scoring and assisting in a season-capping triumph. In the UEFA Women's Champions League, Alexia Putellas was named Player of the Season while Barcelona prepare for the final against Lyon, a rematch of the 2024 showpiece that the Catalans won 2-0. North Korea's Naegohyang FC defeated Tokyo Verdy Bealeza 1-0 to lift the Asian Women's Champions League. Valencia came from behind to beat Barcelona 3-1 in LaLiga, with Lewandowski scoring in his farewell appearance, though the result was not enough for European qualification. In Scotland, Celtic completed a domestic double with a Scottish Cup win under Martin O'Neill, though the SPFL is investigating two of their matches after a panel ruled a penalty against Motherwell should not have been awarded.

Transfer Moves and Squad Preparations

Manchester United are in advanced talks for Atalanta midfielder Ederson and close to completing a deal for Tonali, while also reportedly interested in AC Milan's Rafael Leao at a cut-price fee and Jarrod Bowen potentially heading to Old Trafford. Liverpool have reached out to Jurgen Klopp as manager Arne Slot's future remains uncertain, with Slot promising the club will return to winning ways next season. Tottenham have agreed to sign Germany forward Shekiera Martinez from West Ham, while Hearts are set to lose striker Lawrence Shankland to Rangers after being crowned SWPL champions and Yang Hyun-jun extended his Celtic deal until 2030. Real Madrid will hold presidential elections for the first time in 20 years with Enrique Riquelme challenging Florentino Pérez, and Álvaro Arbeloa confirmed his departure from the club. Manchester City are reportedly setting their sights on Chelsea's Enzo Fernández, and Barcelona have put Harry Kane on their shortlist to replace Lewandowski.

World Cup and International Football

Iran moved their World Cup training camp from the United States to Mexico after receiving FIFA approval, a logistical shift driven by political sensitivities. The USMNT big board for the 2026 World Cup is being finalized with Mauricio Pochettino set to announce his 26-man squad on Tuesday. Former England captain Wayne Rooney said Harry Maguire is "very unlucky" to miss out on Thomas Tuchel's World Cup squad, while a injuries tracker flags