Fast improving Brazilian striker Rodrygo Goes struck twice, either side of the breather, to propel Real Madrid to a 2-1 victory over hard battling Osasuna 2-1 in the Copa del Rey final. Victory allowed manager Carlo Ancelotti to complete a quartet of four major trophies under his guidance.
Already the first coach to win titles in Europe’s five major leagues, the Italian is now one of a select few gaffers to be reigning Liga Santander, Champions League, UEFA Super Cup and Copa del Rey champion.
In England, Arsenal proved they are not going to give up their fight for a first Premier League title since the Invincibles of 2003/4 by subduing Newcastle United 2-0 at St James Park. Victory kept the Gunners within a point of leaders Manchester City, 2-1 winners over Leeds United on Saturday. Mikel Arteta’s side have however played a game more.
Fifth placed Liverpool won their sixth Premier League game in a row by felling Brentford 1-0 to increase pressure on Manchester United who fell 0-1 to West Ham United when long serving custodian David de Gea fumbled a weak Said Benrahma effort into his net. It was United’s second loss on the road within 72 hours, following Thursday’s 0-1 setback at Brighton and Hove Albion.
Tottenham Hotspur remained sixth courtesy of an identical margin at home to Crystal Palace but they are under pressure from Roberto di Zerbi’s Brighton who have two games in hand.
There were no fresh twists in the race for this season’s Bundesliga title with second placed Borussia Dortmund responding to Bayern Munich’s 2-1 victory at Werder Bremen on Saturday by pummeling Wolfsburg 6-0.
RB Leipzig were the weekend’s biggest beneficiaries, their 1-0 win over Freiburg allowing Marco Rose’s side to leapfrog Christian Steich’s high flyers into third. Urs Fischer’s Union Berlin dropped to fourth thanks to a 0-1 setback at Augsburg.
Across the Alsace Lorraine region border, Paris Saint Germain made hay of the absence of suspended star Lionel Messi and injured talisman Neymar Jr to dismiss Troyes 3-1 on Sunday. Victory extended PSG’s advantage atop the standings to six points, courtesy of Racing Lens’ 2-1 win over Olympique Marseille who dropped to fourth.
Veteran Olympique Lyon target man Alexander Lacazette meanwhile plundered four goals to help Laurent Blanc’s former titlists to a comeback 5-4 victory over Montpellier.
Napoli celebrated their first Scudetto since 1990 by edging Fiorentina 1-0 thanks to a Victor Osimhen penalty. It was the Nigerian striker’s 23rd Serie A goal this campaign. Juventus moved into second place by seeing of a spirited Atalanta 2-0.
The record champions dislodged Maurizio Sarri’s Lazio after the Rome club lost 2-0 at AC Milan on Friday night. Champions League semifinalists Inter Milan are now fourth courtesy of a 2-0 success at AS Roma.
