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Bayern Munich wrapped up another Bundesliga title on Sunday, the club’s 13th in 14 years, after a record-breaking season that could still get better. The Bundesliga is just the first of a potential treble of trophies with Bayern next facing Bayer Leverkusen in the semifinals of the German Cup on Wednesday before it takes on defending champion Paris Saint-Germain in the semifinals of the Champions League. The Bundesliga is seen within the club as the minimum target for the season and this is Bayern’s record-extending 35th German championship. Apart from the first in 1932, when it was decided by regional champions in a knockout competition, all the others came after the Bundesliga’s formation in 1963. Bayern is always keen to assert its domestic dominance. Leverkusen’s triumph in 2024 was an outlier that spurred Bayern to back-to–back titles and may be the start of another long run. Bayern bounced back from the trauma of 2012 – when it lost the Champions League final in Munich to Chelsea, as well as the Bundesliga and German Cup final to Borussia Dortmund – by winning the Champions League, Bundesliga and German Cup treble the following season under Jupp Heynckes. The Bundesliga this season is just the first step as Bayern chases another treble. Here’s a closer look at how it was won: Goals Bayern smashed its own league record for goals scored in a season by clocking five against St. Pauli to take its tally to 105 goals last weekend. The previous record was 101 goals scored by Bayern’s 1971-72 team featuring Franz Beckenbauer and Gerd Müller. England forward Harry Kane was among the scorers in the title-clinching 4-2 win against Stuttgart on Sunday to extend the record to 109 goals. And there are still four rounds remaining. Kane took his club tally for the season to 50 against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals. It’s 51 now. He has 32 goals in 27 Bundesliga games so far. New signing Luis Díaz chipped in 15 and Michael Olise has 12, but Bayern’s goals came from all over the team with Leon Goretzka getting the record-breaking 102nd goal against St. Pauli. Including the win over Stuttgart, Bayern scored four goals or more in 14 league games starting on the opening day with a 6-0 rout of Leipzig. Rivals Bayern again has no rival capable of challenging its dominance. Borussia Dortmund came closest this season but it was long clear it couldn’t provide a match for Bayern, which ended any notions of a contest at the end of February by winning 3-2 in Dortmund. “We have an 11-point advantage,” Joshua Kimmich said at the time, “we’re not going to give it away.” Dortmund opened the way for Bayern to clinch the title on Sunday by losing two consecutive games. None of Stuttgart, Leipzig or Leverkusen could even keep up with Dortmund. Kompany Though he was far from first choice, Bayern coach Vincent Kompany has proven an inspired appointment for a team that was misfiring and underachieving with Thomas Tuchel. In his second season at Bayern, Kompany has more than steadied the ship, promoting young players like Lennart Karl – who looks set to become a star – while thoughtfully rotating the squad to keep all his players involved and happy while minimizing the likelihood of injuries. Kane has had his sights on breaking Robert Lewandowski’s season record of 41 Bundesliga goals but Kompany decided to manage his star forward’s playing time to rest him for key games in the Champions League and German Cup. Kompany also earned praise for speaking up against racism after José Mourinho blamed Real Madrid star Vinícius Júnior for provoking the abuse he receives, and he welcomed the appointment of Marie-Louise Eta as the first female coach in the Bundesliga last week. Kompany has brought harmony to Bayern, a club previously known as “FC Hollywood” for all the tabloid headlines it generated.

It's a huge day in the Premier League title race, with Arsenal travelling to Manchester City in a meeting between the top two. A win for Arsenal and the long-time league leaders will regain a nine-point advantage, leaving them in a strong position to become English champions for the first time since 2004. A win for City and the gap would be reduced to three points. City would also have a game in hand, at next-to-last Burnley on Wednesday. After that, both teams would have five matches left. A draw? That would suit Arsenal more, keeping a six-point cushion between the teams. City is at home and is in better form, winning its last three games — 2-0 over Arsenal in the English League Cup final, 4-0 against Liverpool in the FA Cup quarterfinals and 3-0 at Chelsea in the league — and having one of the division's most exciting players in France playmaker Rayan Cherki. Arsenal, meanwhile, has lost three of its last five games in all competitions as it stumbles toward the end of a season that could still bring the Premier League and Champions League titles. Before the City-Arsenal match, Everton hosts Liverpool in the Merseyside derby, and it's also Aston Villa-Sunderland and Nottingham Forest-Burnley.

Reigning world champions Spain kept their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification hopes alive with a commanding 5-0 victory over Ukraine on Saturday at the Nuevo Archangel Stadium in Cordoba, Spain, Xinhua reports. The result came after Spain’s midweek defeat away to England, and the win ensured that their home clash against England on June 5 is likely to decide who tops the qualifying group and who must go through the playoffs. Spain, who had earlier beaten Ukraine 3-1 in the reverse fixture, took the lead after just 90 seconds when Lucia Corrales delivered a precise cross from the left for Edna Imade to head home. Ronaldo, Portugal eye World Cup push in Group K with Colombia, Uzbekistan, Congo Despite dominating possession with over 70 percent and earning 10 first-half corners, Spain struggled initially to break down Ukraine’s disciplined defence. Ukrainian goalkeeper  made a single notable save in the first half, denying Alexia Putellas. In the final minute before the break, Olha Ovdiychuk nearly equalised with a powerful strike that hit the post and almost deflected in off Spanish goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares. Two minutes after the restart, Corrales and Imade combined again, with Imade scoring another header to double Spain’s lead. As temperatures rose above 30 degrees Celsius, Ukraine began to fade, and Spain added more goals. Vicky Lopez assisted Maria Mendez for the third in the 61st minute, while Eva Navarro’s shot deflected in for the fourth in the 70th minute. Lopez then sealed the emphatic win in the 75th minute, finishing after rounding the goalkeeper to complete the 5-0 scoreline.

Cristiano Ronaldo is set for what could be his final World Cup campaign as Portugal headline Group K alongside Colombia, Uzbekistan and Congo. At 41, the five-time Ballon d’Or winner, who holds the record for most international goals in men’s football with 143, is expected to feature if fit. He has indicated the upcoming tournament will be his last and could become, alongside Lionel Messi, one of the first players to appear in six World Cups. Portugal, ranked fifth, qualified despite a setback against Ireland and will be looking to improve on their 2022 quarterfinal finish. Managed by Roberto Martinez, the squad includes Bruno Fernandes and João Neves. Their campaign begins against Congo on June 17 in Houston. Colombia, ranked 13th, return after missing the 2022 tournament, led by captain James Rodriguez, the 2014 World Cup Golden Boot winner. Coached by Néstor Lorenzo, they face Uzbekistan in their opener. Uzbekistan, ranked 50th, will make their World Cup debut under Fabio Cannavaro, with captain Eldor Shomurodov leading the side. Congo, back for the first time since 1974, secured qualification via a playoff win over Jamaica. Led by Chancel Mbemba and coach Sébastien Desabre, they complete a competitive group. Group K promises a mix of experience and emerging talent as Portugal pursue another shot at global glory.

Football star Lionel Messi has been sued by a Miami-based event promoter who claims he broke the terms of a $7 million contract by failing to play in a scheduled exhibition match last year. According to court records, Vid Music Group filed a lawsuit last month in a Miami-Dade circuit court, accusing Messi and the Argentine Football Association (AFA) of fraud and breach of contract. The company says it had secured exclusive rights to organize and promote Argentina’s friendly matches against Venezuela and Puerto Rico in October, in return for ticket sales, broadcast rights and sponsorship revenue. It claims the agreement required Messi to play at least 30 minutes in each match unless he was injured. Messi did not play in Argentina’s 1-0 win over Venezuela on October 10, instead watching from a suite at Hard Rock Stadium in Florida. However, he played the following day for his club Inter Miami in an MLS match, where he scored twice in a 4-0 win over Atlanta United. He later featured in Argentina’s 6-0 victory over Puerto Rico on October 14. That match had originally been scheduled in Chicago but was moved to Florida amid low ticket sales and security concerns. The promoter alleges it suffered losses running into millions of dollars due to Messi’s absence from one match and poor attendance at the other. Messi and the AFA have not yet responded to the lawsuit.

Bayern Munich scored twice late in the match to beat Real Madrid 4-3 in a dramatic quarterfinal second leg and advance to the UEFA Champions League semifinals with a 6-4 aggregate win. Late goals from Luis Diaz in the 89th minute and Michael Olise in stoppage time sealed the victory on Wednesday, setting up a semifinal clash with holders Paris Saint-Germain. The match produced a thrilling first half, with Real Madrid taking the lead three times. Arda Guler capitalised on an early mistake by Bayern goalkeeper Manuel Neuer to score in the opening minute and later added a fine free kick after Bayern had equalised through Aleksandar Pavlovic. Harry Kane levelled the score again for Bayern, taking his tally to 12 goals in this season’s competition. Vinicius Jr then set up Kylian Mbappe to restore Real’s lead before halftime. The turning point came in the 86th minute when Real Madrid were reduced to 10 men after Eduardo Camavinga received a second yellow card. Bayern took advantage, scoring twice late to secure the win. Tensions ran high after the match, with Real players protesting the red card decision. Madrid coach Alvaro Arbeloa said his team was “very upset and angry” over the dismissal. Kane, meanwhile, expressed his satisfaction after the win, describing it as a reward for the team’s hard work and determination. In the other quarterfinal, Arsenal advanced to the semifinals after a goalless draw against Sporting Lisbon secured a 1-0 aggregate victory. Despite an underwhelming performance at the Emirates Stadium, Mikel Arteta’s side held on to their first-leg advantage. Arsenal will face Atletico Madrid in the semifinals after the Spanish side defeated Barcelona 3-2 on aggregate. #By Al Jazeera

Real Madrid coach Álvaro Arbeloa faces a defining test of his short tenure as his side travels to Bayern Munich for the second leg of their UEFA Champions League (UCL) quarterfinal, needing to overturn a 2-1 deficit. Kylian Mbappé’s goal in the first leg gave Madrid hope after Bayern Munich took control through Luis Díaz and Harry Kane, but history is not on the Spanish club’s side. Real Madrid have only once overturned a first-leg home defeat in European knockout history. Bayern, meanwhile, hold a strong record when protecting first-leg advantages, progressing on 30 of 31 occasions after winning away first legs, with their only exception coming in 2011 against Inter Milan. Arbeloa is expected to recall Jude Bellingham and Éder Militão to the starting XI, while Aurélien Tchouaméni is suspended. Madrid also face defensive concerns with Raúl Asencio ruled out and Ferland Mendy unlikely to start despite being included in the squad. Madrid’s domestic form has added pressure, with a recent draw leaving them nine points behind Barcelona in La Liga and early-season setbacks in cup competitions further limiting their trophy hopes. With the league title slipping away and other domestic trophies already lost, the Champions League remains Madrid’s only realistic chance of silverware this season. Elimination in Munich would leave the club without a trophy and intensify scrutiny on Arbeloa’s future, as well as on the squad’s performance under pressure.

Atletico Madrid advanced to the UEFA Champions League semifinals after a 3-2 aggregate victory over FC Barcelona on Wednesday night, despite a 2-1 home defeat in the second leg. Barcelona, who trailed 2-0 from the first leg, levelled the tie with goals from Lamine Yamal and Ferran Torres, but Atletico held firm to progress. Ademola Lookman scored Atletico’s crucial away goal, while goalkeeper Juan Musso produced a series of key saves to deny the visitors. Barcelona started strongly, taking an early lead through Yamal before Torres doubled the advantage. However, Atletico pulled one back before halftime through Lookman after a counterattack involving Antoine Griezmann and Marcos Llorente. The Catalan side continued to press after the break, but had a goal ruled out for offside and later saw Eric Garcia sent off following a VAR review, reducing them to 10 men in the closing stages. Despite late pressure, including a missed header from Ronald Araujo in stoppage time, Barcelona could not find the equaliser as Atletico secured their place in the final four.

Barcelona will need to overturn a two-goal deficit against Atletico Madrid on Tuesday to secure a place in the Champions League semifinals, as the two sides meet for the fifth time in less than two months. Atletico Madrid will host the second leg, defending a 2-0 advantage from the first match as they aim to reach the last four of Europe’s elite club competition for the first time in nearly a decade. The teams have faced each other repeatedly in recent weeks. Before last week’s Champions League first leg, Barcelona defeated Atletico 2-1 in a Spanish league clash on April 4. The sides also met twice in the Copa del Rey semifinals, where Atletico secured a 4-0 home win and progressed to the final despite losing 3-0 in the second leg in Barcelona. Man City hold psychological advantage over Arsenal, says Rooney Atletico last reached the Champions League semifinals in 2017, while Barcelona were eliminated at the last-four stage by Inter Milan last season. Atletico coach Diego Simeone has not ruled out goalkeeper Jan Oblak’s return, as he has resumed training after a muscle injury sustained on March 10 and is expected to be fit. The winner will face either Arsenal or Sporting CP in the semifinals, with Arsenal holding a 1-0 advantage from the first leg ahead of Wednesday’s return match in England.

Former England captain Wayne Rooney believes Manchester City have a mental edge over Arsenal in the Premier League title race. League leaders Arsenal are currently nine points ahead, though they have played two more matches. They are set to face City at the Etihad Stadium on Sunday. Speaking on his show, Rooney said City’s experience in winning titles and the presence of manager Pep Guardiola give them an advantage. He said City’s players are more used to handling pressure and can stay calmer in crucial moments compared to Arsenal’s squad. Rooney also warned that losing a few matches can affect a team’s confidence, creating doubts about scoring goals and winning games, which can impact overall performance. City boosted their chances with a 3-0 win over Chelsea, while Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat to Bournemouth. According to Rooney, the outcome of Sunday’s clash could play a key role in deciding the title, with the winner likely to become favourites. He added that a draw would still be a positive result for Arsenal, but suggested they may need to adopt a more defensive and disciplined approach under manager Mikel Arteta. Rooney said Arsenal must remain compact, avoid leaving gaps and look to hit City on the counter-attack, stressing that they need to be resilient to stop City from scoring. Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur have dropped into the relegation zone after a defeat to Sunderland and a win for West Ham over Wolves. Rooney described Spurs’ recent performance as lacking intensity, saying they failed to benefit from a fresh start under new coach Roberto De Zerbi. He said the team appeared uncertain in their approach and needs quick improvement. Rooney warned that relegation would be a major setback for the club, adding that some players might consider leaving if that happens. He also cautioned that failing to return to the Premier League immediately would create serious long-term problems. Tottenham are still searching for their first league win of 2026 and will face Brighton at home next. Rooney said ending their winless run is crucial to rebuilding confidence, as continued poor results will make the situation even more difficult. Source: BBC