Chelsea To Face Real Betis In UEFA Conference League Final After Easing Past Djurgardens

Published

1 year ago

May 8, 2025

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Chelsea To Face Real Betis In UEFA Conference League Final After Easing Past Djurgardens—-Chelsea advanced to the final of the UEFA Conference League after a 1-0 win over Swedish side Djurgarden on Thursday sealed a 5-1 aggregate victory in their last-four tie.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall struck the only goal at Stamford Bridge late in the first half on a night 16-year-old Reggie Walsh became the youngest player to start a European game for Chelsea.

Defender Marc Cucurella was the only player retained from the team that beat Liverpool in the Premier League last weekend as manager Enzo Maresca made sweeping changes to his line-up with an eye on Sunday’s crucial game at Newcastle.

The Italian has been criticised for his cautious tactics but he has fifth-placed Chelsea on course to qualify for the Champions League via a top-five finish in England.

Teenage midfielder Walsh made his debut off the bench in the 4-1 win in Stockholm a week ago as Chelsea seized control of the tie, but that result didn’t deter some 6,000 Djurgarden fans from making the trip to London for the second leg.

Dewsbury-Hall and Tyrique George forced saves from Djurgarden goalkeeper Jacob Rinne before the two Chelsea players combined to put the hosts in front in the 38th minute.

George threaded a pass through for Dewsbury-Hall who accelerated past a couple of defenders before sweeping in a crisp finish via the base of the post.

That goal killed off any remote hopes for Djurgarden, the first Swedish club to appear in a European semi-final since Gothenburg won the 1986-87 UEFA Cup.

Dewsbury-Hall had a chance to double his tally when he headed Malo Gusto’s cross straight at Rinne, but the visitors rarely threatened with the exception of a long-range shot from Daniel Stensson that was tipped over by Filip Jorgensen.

Chelsea haven’t won a major trophy since the 2021 Champions League, but they will be strong favourites to win their first silverware since Todd Boehly’s consortium took over from Roman Abramovich three years ago.

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BREAKING: PSG Retain Champions League Title After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Arsenal

Published

2 weeks ago

May 30, 2026

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BREAKING: PSG Retain Champions League Title After Penalty Shootout Victory Over Arsenal—-French champions edge Gunners 4-3 on penalties in Budapest to secure back-to-back European crowns.

Paris Saint-Germain successfully defended their UEFA Champions League title after defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties following a 1-1 draw in the final at Budapest’s Puskás Aréna. PSG became only the second club in the modern Champions League era to retain the trophy in successive seasons.

Arsenal made the perfect start to the final when Kai Havertz fired the Premier League champions into an early lead in the sixth minute, giving Mikel Arteta’s side hope of winning the club’s first-ever Champions League title.

The holders responded in the second half, with Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé converting a penalty in the 65th minute after a foul on Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, bringing PSG level and setting up a tense finish.

Neither side could find a winner during the remainder of normal time or extra time, forcing the final into a dramatic penalty shootout. PSG held their nerve from the spot, while Arsenal defender Gabriel missed the decisive penalty, blasting his effort over the crossbar.

The victory caps another remarkable European campaign for Luis Enrique’s side, who reached the final after eliminating FC Bayern Munich in the semi-finals and entered the showpiece as defending champions.

For Arsenal, the defeat is a heartbreaking end to an otherwise historic season. Arteta’s men arrived in Budapest having won their first Premier League title in 22 years and reached their first Champions League final since 2006, but they fell just short of completing a memorable double.

PSG’s triumph further cements their place among Europe’s elite, while Arsenal will be left to reflect on a campaign that brought domestic glory but ended in European heartbreak.

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BREAKING: Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot With Immediate Effect After 2-Years at Anfield

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2 weeks ago

May 30, 2026

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BREAKING: Liverpool Sacked Arne Slot With Immediate Effect After 2-Years at Anfield—-Dutch manager leaves despite Premier League success as Reds begin search for new direction.

Liverpool FC have reportedly parted ways with manager Arne Slot after two seasons in charge at Anfield. Reports on Friday indicated that the club decided to make a managerial change following an internal review of a disappointing 2025/26 campaign.

Slot’s departure comes just a year after he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title in his debut season, becoming the first Dutch manager to win England’s top flight.

However, Liverpool endured a difficult title defence campaign, finishing outside the title race and facing criticism over inconsistent performances throughout the season. Reports suggest the club’s hierarchy concluded that a fresh direction was needed ahead of the new campaign.

The Dutch coach leaves Anfield with mixed memories — delivering the club’s 20th league title but struggling to maintain momentum during his second season.

Several reports have linked former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as a leading candidate to replace Slot, although Liverpool are yet to officially announce a successor.

Slot, who arrived in 2024 following the departure of legendary manager Jürgen Klopp, oversaw 113 matches during his tenure and leaves having secured one Premier League title and a place in Liverpool’s recent history.

Tributes from supporters have already begun appearing online, with many thanking the Dutchman for delivering league glory during his time on Merseyside.

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