For a landmark of high pedigree to be achieved, there must be a defining moment. A moment that takes you through it all, a moment of all or nothing, and passing through all these moments and coming out strong determines whether or not you should be called a champion. The Atatürk Olympic Stadium in Istanbul on Saturday hosted one for the history books, as Manchester City’s obsession of winning a Champions League trophy came to an end.
West Ham United have emerged champions of the 2023 Europa Conference League winning in dramatic fashion on Wednesday by beating Fiorentina 2-1 in the final match played in Prague, Czech Republic.
Jarrod Bowen’s last-minute goal helped the Hammers clinch what was their first piece of major silverware in 43 years. Bowen with great composure latched onto Lucas Paqueta’s pass and fired home a low finish to spark wild West Ham celebrations at the Fortuna Arena in Prague.
Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City beat Manchester United to win the 2023 FA Cup. Manchester City class of 2023 have become the 13th team to win the FA Cup and be crowned league champions of England in the same season. City, who finished five points ahead of Arsenal in the Premier League, beat Manchester United 2-1 at Wembley in Saturday’s FA Cup final.
Sevilla have won the Europa League final, beating Roma 4-1 on penalties following a 1-1 draw after extra time. The Spanish side came from 1-0 down to take the game to penalties in which they stepped up to win the competition once again. Gonzalo Montiel, who initially missed his deciding penalty to win it for the La Liga side, scored the retake after VAR spotted encroachment by Roma’s keeper. The victory extends Sevilla’s Europa League record as they lift the trophy for a record seventh time. In addition to winning the competition, they have also secured qualification for next season’s Champions League.
Borussia Dortmund wasted a golden opportunity to end Bayern Munich’s decade-long reign as title holder and clinch the Bundesliga title after falling to a 2-2 draw at home to Mainz. Bayern clinched the title by beating Köln 2-1 in one of the most exciting season finales in recent memory.
Going into the final day, the title was within Dortmund’s grasp. It held a two-point advantage over Bayern at the top of the table, they had home advantage for the final match and a parade had even been planned.
Newcastle United have qualified for the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League for the first time since 2003. Liverpool’s home draw against Aston Villa on Saturday meant that Newcastle needed only a point from their final two Premier League matches to secure a top-four finish and an automatic spot in the group stage of the 2023-24 Champions League.
Brentford forward Ivan Toney has been banned from football for eight months with immediate effect after admitting and proving guilty to 232 breaches of the FA betting rules.
Ivan’s suspension will start with immediate effect, which means he will miss Brentford’s final two games of the season (Spurs on Saturday and Manchester City on the final matchday of the season). Toney, who has scored 33% of Brentford’s Premier League goals this season, will be banned until January 16, 2024, and has been fined £50,000 after he admitted to the alleged breaches.
he Ballon D’Or is the pinnacle of individual achievement in a football calendar year, and its recipients are forever etched into the football history books. From the legendary Alfredo Di Stefano, to Johan Cruyff, to Ronaldo De Lima, down to the inimitable Lionel Messi, the Ballon d’Or has been won by some of the greatest players to ever grace the game. It is a prize that encapsulates excellence and sheer love for the game, and it is no wonder that every footballer dreams of holding it one day. Truly, the Ballon d’Or is a significant symbol of everything that is pure and magical about the sport.
West Ham are hopeful of keeping Declan Rice beyond this season, however, manager David Moyes has admitted that he will most likely leave the club this summer.
The skipper, whose contract expires at the end of the campaign, has long been on the radar of the Premier League’s big sides. Speculation has intensified in recent months about a big money move to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United.
Manchester City striker Erling Haaland won the prestigious Football Writers’ Association (FWA) Footballer of the Year award after his impressive debut season in England, it was announced Friday.
Haaland, who has been imperious this season, won the prize by a record margin, earning 82% of the vote ahead of Arsenal players Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard, who finished second and third respectively.
Elsewhere, Chelsea striker Sam Kerr became the first back to back winner of the Women’s Footballer of the Year. The Australia international gained twice as many votes as second place Rachel Daly, while Kerr’s teammate, Lauren James came third.
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