Game Recap - Soccer Wiretap

U.S. men's national team head coach Mauricio Pochettino challenged Christian Pulisic to carry Sunday's sharp, high-tempo display into the World Cup after the AC Milan winger ended a five-month scoring drought in a 3-2 friendly victory over Senegal in Charlotte.

Pulisic's last international goal had come in November 2024, a drought spanning eight appearances. He assisted Sergino Dest's opener before adding the second himself in the first half.

"The performance of Christian, for 45 minutes, was really, really good," said Pochettino. "He still has the potential to improve. I am happy for him also because after a long time, a few months, he scored again. Obviously, that is important for our players in the preparation to the World Cup."

Folarin Balogun came off the bench to score the decisive third goal after Sadio Mane inspired a Senegal comeback with goals on either side of halftime. Pochettino made 10 substitutions at the interval.

Pochettino described the performance as one of the most complete of his tenure, though defensive lapses drew concern. Both Senegal goals resulted from errors by the hosts.

"The way that we concede the goals I think we need to improve," said Pochettino. "In my opinion, we conceded through our own mistakes."

The USMNT had dropped back-to-back friendlies against Belgium and Portugal in March. Sunday's victory inflicted just Senegal's second defeat in 16 matches.

"It was important for the environment to trust in us after the last two games," said Pochettino. "I think it was a positive day."

The U.S. faces Germany in Chicago on June 6 before opening World Cup play against Paraguay on June 12.

Paris Saint-Germain claimed back-to-back Champions League titles Saturday, defeating Arsenal 4-3 on penalties after a 1-1 draw through extra time at Puskas Arena in Budapest, becoming only the second club to successfully defend the trophy since the competition was rebranded in 1992.

Gabriel Magalhaes blasted the decisive spot kick over the crossbar to end Arsenal's hopes of a first European crown. Arsenal held just 26 percent possession, the lowest recorded figure in a Champions League final since 2004 per Opta. PSG dominated the chances, generating a 1.77 to 0.44 expected goals advantage over Arsenal.

PSG joins Real Madrid, which won three successive titles between 2016 and 2018, as the only clubs to defend the championship in the modern era. It was also the first final decided by penalties since Madrid defeated Atletico Madrid a decade ago.

Kai Havertz gave Arsenal an early lead, converting after Marquinhos' clearance ricocheted into his path. PSG leveled when Ousmane Dembele converted a second-half penalty after a VAR review confirmed Cristhian Mosquera had brought down Khvicha Kvaratskhelia in the area. Goalkeeper David Raya also saved from Nuno Mendes during the shootout to briefly keep Arsenal level before Gabriel's decisive miss.

"It's even more special because we knew before the match how difficult it would be," said Luis Enrique. "I think it's deserved over the course of the whole season, even if the final was very closely contested."

The victory elevated Luis Enrique into elite coaching company. The Spaniard, who also won the title with Barcelona in 2014-15, became just the fourth manager to claim three or more European Cups, joining Carlo Ancelotti, Bob Paisley, Zinedine Zidane, and Pep Guardiola.

PSG's starting lineup averaged under 24 years of age.

"We are a young team and we know we are really ambitious," said midfielder Desire Doue. "Next season we have to go again."

Jean-Philippe Mateta scored a close-range rebound winner early in the second half as Crystal Palace defeated Rayo Vallecano to claim the UEFA Conference League title in Leipzig, delivering outgoing manager Oliver Glasner his third trophy in two and a half years at Selhurst Park.

Palace dominated the statistical battle, holding a 2.57 to 0.52 advantage in expected goals. Mateta's 16th goal of the season came when Rayo goalkeeper Augusto Batalla could only palm Adam Wharton's strike into the striker's path, who diverted it into the net six minutes into the second half.

Glasner departs having transformed Palace into trophy winners, leading the club to the FA Cup, Community Shield, and now the Conference League. Palace had never won a major trophy before last season's FA Cup victory over Manchester City.

The triumph was especially meaningful given the obstacles Palace faced. They were forced to drop from the Europa League to Europe's third-tier competition due to ownership issues, suffered an FA Cup exit to non-league Macclesfield, and finished 15th in the Premier League. Key players Eberechi Eze and Marc Guehi were also sold during the campaign.

Mateta nearly left Palace in January before a knee injury blocked a proposed move to AC Milan. He has scored 46 goals in 110 matches under Glasner after managing just 11 in 80 appearances before the Austrian's arrival in February 2024. The striker has since earned a place in France's World Cup squad.

Wharton was equally impressive throughout, delivering a strong performance just one week after missing out on England's World Cup selection.

Palace become the second English club to win a European trophy this season, joining Europa League champions Aston Villa. Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League final Saturday with the chance to complete an unprecedented English treble.

Tottenham escaped Premier League relegation on the final day Sunday, with their 1-0 victory over Everton condemning West Ham to the Championship despite the Hammers beating Leeds 3-0 in a simultaneous kickoff.

Joao Palhinha's scrappy first-half goal, which barely crossed the line, proved the decisive moment at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. West Ham finish with 39 points, matching the joint-highest total ever accumulated by a relegated club, but it was not enough. It marks the club's first season in the second tier since 2012.

Spurs needed only to avoid defeat to guarantee survival, with relegation requiring both a home loss and a West Ham victory. When the Hammers went ahead at Leeds with just over 20 minutes remaining, tension surged through north London. Roberto De Zerbi's side held firm through nine minutes of stoppage time, with goalkeeper Antonin Kinsky producing a crucial late save to secure safety.

Sunday's result was Tottenham's first home league win since early December, capping a turbulent campaign that saw Thomas Frank dismissed and replaced by Igor Tudor, whose tenure also failed to stabilize results. De Zerbi's appointment at the end of March proved the turning point, with Spurs collecting 11 points from a possible 21 under the former Brighton manager to edge clear of the drop zone.

West Ham's relegation ends a 13-year run in the top flight. Tottenham's survival, achieved with little margin, sets up a significant summer rebuild under De Zerbi as the club looks to avoid another brush with the drop next season.

Chelsea's hopes of European football next season ended in collapse Sunday, as a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland dropped them from eighth to 10th in the final Premier League standings, one point outside the European places.

Wesley Fofana's second yellow card in the 62nd minute left Chelsea a man down at a critical moment, and they were unable to recover after conceding twice in the opening stages of the second half. Malo Gusto turned an Enzo Le Fee cross into his own net five minutes after the restart to double Sunderland's advantage, before Cole Palmer pulled one back in the 56th minute.

Trai Hume had opened the scoring in the 25th minute, squeezing a finish into the bottom corner after Luke O'Nien nodded down a goalkeeper kick.

Chelsea had started the day in eighth place with European qualification within reach but the defeat, combined with results elsewhere, ultimately cost them a continental spot.

Palmer offered brief hope with his strike in the 56th minute, but Fofana's dismissal six minutes later effectively ended Chelsea's chances. Reece James had a late effort saved as Chelsea pushed for an equalizer through 10 minutes of added time without success.

The result completed a dramatic afternoon for the hosts. Sunderland secured Europa League football for the first time in 53 years, on the one-year anniversary of their Championship playoff final victory that earned them promotion. For Chelsea, it was a damaging final-day failure with significant consequences for their summer planning and squad investment ahead of Xabi Alonso's first season as manager.

Arsenal have clinched their first Premier League title since 2004 after Manchester City drew 1-1 at Bournemouth on Tuesday, ending the Gunners' need to secure a result at Crystal Palace on Sunday. Mikel Arteta's side had done their part with a 1-0 victory over Burnley at the Emirates on Monday. After losing 2-1 at City on April 19 to effectively be tied for first place after having a commanding lead in the standings, Arsenal were the more consistent club during the run-in.

Declan Rice was seen saying "It's not done" following Arsenal's loss at City and he was vindicated with a match to spare.

The title represents the culmination of a rebuilding project Arteta began in late 2019 when he left Manchester City to take charge at the Emirates. After finishing eighth in consecutive seasons, Arsenal showed early signs of progress with a fifth-place finish in 2021-22 as Bukayo Saka emerged as the focal point of the club.

Three straight second-place finishes followed in 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25, with the Gunners finishing on 89 points in 2023-24, just one point behind City. The additions of Declan Rice and David Raya proved transformative, elevating Arsenal into a club capable of competing with any side in the Premier League.

This season, Arsenal's defensive solidity and squad depth stood out as the strongest throughout the season. The additions of Viktor Gyokeres, Eberechi Eze and Martin Zubimendi further solidified the roster.

The title sets up a historic fortnight for the club. Arsenal face Paris Saint-Germain in the Champions League Final in Budapest on May 30, giving Arteta's side the opportunity to complete a remarkable domestic and European double.

Arsenal's 14 top-flight English championships trails only Manchester United and Liverpool, who have 20 apiece.

Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League table with a 1-0 victory over Burnley at the Emirates Stadium, putting the club within reach of their first league title in 22 years. Kai Havertz headed in a goal off a Bukayo Saka corner in the 34th minute to provide the only goal in the match, with Arsenal generating an xG advantage of 1.03 to 0.21. The goal was Arsenal's 18th from a corner this season, accounting for more than a quarter of their 69 league strikes.

Manchester City must now win at Bournemouth on Tuesday to keep the title race alive. Should City drop points at the Vitality Stadium, Arsenal will be crowned champions with one match remaining.

Havertz was fortunate to remain on the pitch in the 65th minute after a high challenge on Lesley Ugochukwu, with VAR electing not to intervene. 

Saka recorded his 50th Premier League assist on the play, placing him fifth on Arsenal's all-time list behind Dennis Bergkamp, Thierry Henry, Cesc Fabregas, and Mesut Ozil.

The Gunners, runners-up in each of the past three seasons, have now won four consecutive matches without conceding after suffering a 2-1 defeat at City on April 19 that appeared to derail their title bid.

Arsenal face Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park before a Champions League final against Paris Saint-Germain in Budapest on May 30.

Addressing supporters at the Emirates afterward, Arteta said, "It's an absolute joy to witness the transformation and the contribution each of you have had to turn this place into the most beautiful place to enjoy and play our football games.

"This is the soul of this football club and each of you contribute to that. Make sure that every time you come into this stadium, you face the responsibility now to keep it at these standards because it makes such a difference for us and all these players. I'll see you soon in Selhurst Park and for sure in Budapest as well."

Arsenal now sit at 86 percent odds to win the Premier League.

Antoine Semenyo scored a inventive back-heel goal in the 72nd minute to deliver Manchester City a 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. The result secured an English cup double for Pep Guardiola's side, who also claimed the League Cup in March.

Semenyo controlled an Erling Haaland cross and improvised a back-heel finish past Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to settle what had been a cautious match.

"Everything happened so fast to be honest," said Semenyo. "It came straight to me and I had to improvise myself as quickly as I can.

"I have never competed for trophies like this before, so everything is new to me. Hopefully, we can finish the job off."

The goal opened up the final's closing stages, with Rayan Cherki forcing a strong save from Sanchez and Matheus Nunes striking the post as City pressed for a second. City had a 0.93 to 0.82 edge over Chelsea in xG.

City captain Bernardo Silva, departing at season's end, and defender John Stones, also leaving the club, lifted the trophy together after Silva received it from Prince William. It was City's eighth FA Cup title.

"It's really nice to finish this way and maybe we can still have a small dream that we can still fight for the Premier League," said Silva.

City trail Arsenal by two points with two league matches remaining. They face Bournemouth on Tuesday in their penultimate match.

The loss extended Chelsea's run to seven straight domestic cup final defeats. The London club sits ninth in the Premier League and hired Xabi Alonso as their next head coach after the match.

Pep Guardiola rested Erling Haaland, Jeremy Doku and Rayan Cherki in Manchester City's 3-0 win over Crystal Palace on Wednesday, citing player fatigue, but insisted his side will remain in position to capitalize if Arsenal drop points in the Premier League title race. City moved to within two points of the leaders with both clubs having two games remaining.

"If they win two games, nothing to do, nothing to talk," Guardiola said. "All we can be is in there just in case."

City generated an xG of 1.58 in the victory compared to Palace's 0.79, controlling the match despite making six changes to his starting lineup. Haaland, the Premier League's top scorer with 26 goals, did not feature for the full 90 minutes.

City was led by goals from Antoine Semenyo, Omar Marmoush and Savinho.

The result keeps City's title hopes alive, but Guardiola faces a demanding schedule. The club visits Wembley for Saturday's FA Cup final against Chelsea before hosting Bournemouth and closing the season against Aston Villa.

"It's not just the FA Cup final," Guardiola said. "It's Bournemouth three days after. So travel to London, they will be at home with wife and kids, so fatigue, fatigue."

Guardiola acknowledged the remaining fixtures will test his squad's depth but expressed confidence in his full roster and made clear winning at Wembley remains the immediate priority.

"We are going to go to Wembley to win," he said. "I cannot ask for more from the players."

City are -265 favorites to beat Chelsea, according to oddsmakers, giving them a 72 percent probability. 

Arsenal moved five points clear at the top of the Premier League Saturday as Leandro Trossard's deflected late winner and a dramatic VAR intervention denied West Ham United a stoppage-time equalizer in a 1-0 victory at the London Stadium. The result leaves West Ham deep in relegation trouble and Arsenal on the brink of their first league title in 22 years.

Trossard, who struck the woodwork twice in the first half, broke the deadlock in the 83rd minute when his shot deflected in off Tomas Soucek. West Ham's Callum Wilson then appeared to equalize in the 95th minute, but after a four-minute, 17-second VAR review involving 17 replays, referee Chris Kavanagh disallowed the goal for a foul by Pablo on goalkeeper David Raya.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta praised the officials for their handling of the decision.

"When I had to be critical, I have been," Arteta told Sky Sports. "Today I have to congratulate them. You needed a lot of courage and bravery to stand out and give the opportunity to the referee to have a look at the action. When you see the picture, there is no question that it is a clear foul. They were very brave."

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo questioned the consistency of officiating without directly addressing the call.

"Even the referees don't know what is a foul and what is not a foul," Nuno said. "It creates doubt."

Jarrod Bowen also pushed back on the decision. "Look at something for five minutes, trying to find something," he said. "Goalkeepers are protected more than outfield players. The keeper has come in to grab the ball and has to expect contact."

Arsenal keeper David Raya was central to the result, producing a crucial point-blank save from Mateus Fernandes before Trossard's winner. Arsenal have also reached the Champions League final, where they will face Paris Saint-Germain on May 30.

West Ham sit 18th, one point behind Tottenham having played a game more. They travel to Newcastle before a potentially decisive final-day meeting with Leeds United.

Arsenal had a narrow 1.38 to 1.32 xG margin over West Ham in the match. Arsenal is now at 87 percent to win the Premier League on Polymarket after dropping to 55 percent during the match when it appeared they would only walk away with a tie and one point.