UEFA Europa League Final:
Chelsea: 4
Arsenal: 1
The stakes on this game were high for both teams as Arsenal’s hopes of making it to the Champions League next year as well as Chelsea’s goal of winning the Europa Cup undefeated rested on this London Derby. As a result, although the game was taking place in Azerbaijan in the Baku Olympic Stadium, the atmosphere of the stadium was just as intense. The first half of the game, however, turned out be stagnant and idle. Early into the game, Arsenal forward Alexandre Lacazette tripped off the Chelsea keeper inside the penalty box. Nonetheless, the referee concluded through the VAR that Arsenal will not be granted a penalty. The possession of the ball remained even between the two English teams as the whole of the first half remained goalless. Following the start of the second half, Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud headed a pass from Emerson and scored as he engaged in a humble celebration due to having scored against his former team. With one goal in the bag, Chelsea was motivated to get another one. In the 60th minute, forward Pedro finished a cross from star striker Eden Hazard marking the Blues’ second goal in the half as well as the game. After a run down the left wing and a pass to Giroud from Kovacic, Giroud was pushed to the ground right inside the penalty box. Taking the full advantage of the penalty, Chelsea’s third goal was scored as Eden Hazard netted the penalty in the bottom left corner. During a free-kick for Arsenal, the ball went back and forth between the players of both teams until it landed with substitute Alex Iwobi who shot straight through the crowd of players scoring Arsenal’s first and only goal in the final. However, his efforts prove to be in vain when Hazard scored his second goal after a give-and-go pass sealing Chelsea’s victory. The Blues won the Europa cup without even a single defeat earning a spot in the Champions League group-stage draw, and Arsenal fans are outraged by their loss.
UEFA Champions League Final:
Tottenham: 0
Liverpool: 2
In the first minute of the intense Champions League final, a chip from Sadio Mane in effort to guide the ball into the penalty area hit Tottenham midfielder Sissoko’s arm. The handball resulted in a penalty as Mo Salah scored Liverpool’s first goal in the 2nd minute of the game marking one of the earliest goals in Champions League finals history. Nevertheless, the game also turned out to be one of the more uneventful games in Champions League finals history as well. Tottenham striker’s attempts to score were constant throughout the whole game and players such as Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk who did not let a single player dribble past him stood out. A close attempt from Robertsen almost culminated into the reds’ second goal, but a deflection from the goalkeeper sent the ball into the back. Tottenham, on the other hand, who had the greater possession, failed to score despite the countless attempts by strikers such as Harry Kane and Son-Heung Min. In the second half, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino was substituted for Divock Origi who played a crucial role in Liverpool’s semi-final comeback against Barcelona as his brace proved to be the miracle that got the Reds to the Champions League finals. And in the 87th minute after a pass from Joel Matip during a corner, Origi netted a left-foot shot scoring yet again while sealing Liverpool’s victory. With the lack of remaining time, Tottenham remained helpless as the Reds won their 6th Champions League title, and Virgil van Dijk was named man of the match. Meanwhile, Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp celebrated his Champions League finals win after their failure in the Europa Cup and Premier League.
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