Co-hosts Mexico made a strong start to their 2026 World Cup campaign as they defeated nine-man South Africa at a packed Azteca Stadium in the tournament opener. Three players were sent off in all, with Mexico reduced to 10 men in the closing moments. Mexico had only needed nine minutes before they delighted their fans with the first goal of the finals.
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Gabriel Magalhaes skied the decisive spot-kick as Arsenal were denied a first Champions League triumph in a penalty shootout defeat by Paris St-Germain, who won the competition for a second successive year. Mikel Arteta’s side lifted the Premier League title for the first time in 22 years last weekend, but missed out on a league and European double in the most heartbreaking of fashions in a hot and humid Puskas Arena.
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Jean-Philippe Mateta fired Crystal Palace to their first European trophy as the Eagles edged out Spanish side Rayo Vallecano in the Conference League final. The France striker turned home a close-range winner on the rebound from an Adam Wharton strike early in the second half in Leipzig. Outgoing Palace boss Oliver Glasner leaves the club having led them to the FA Cup, Community Shield and now Conference League in a remarkable two-and-a-half-year spell at Selhurst Park.
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Tottenham Hotspur overcame Everton to secure the result they required to ensure Premier League survival on a day of nerve-shredding tension. Spurs needed a point to avoid their first relegation from the top flight since 1977 and send West Ham United into the Championship instead, and only their third home league win of a dismal season ensured they sent their fellow Londoners down instead. Joao Palhinha scored the only goal of the game rendering the Hammers’ 3-0 win over Leeds fruitless.
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Oli McBurnie’s stoppage-time goal gave Hull City a dramatic victory in the Championship play-off final over reinstated Middlesbrough and took the Tigers back to the Premier League. Boro were given a place in the final after Southampton, who beat them over two legs in the semi-final, were expelled on Tuesday for the Spygate scandal.
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