We're just three weeks away from the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, and this weekend saw the English Premier League, Spanish LaLiga and Italian Serie A all come to an end, with domestic cups decided in France and Germany as we turn our attention toward the summer. So what did we learn?
Arsenal had already cemented their title and Pep Guardiola had already announced he was leaving Man City, so the big news in England involved Tottenham completing a remarkable, last-day escape to avoid relegation and stay in the English top flight. The real work is just beginning for Roberto De Zerbi & Co. as they begin a painful rebuild.
Elsewhere in Europe, Bayern Munich won another trophy with Harry Kane again in the goals, Como secured a spot in the Champions League through a strong Serie A finish, while Juventus and Milan could not. Barcelona Femeni won the Women's UEFA Champions League with a four-goal romp over OL Lyonnes that was a much closer game than it seemed on paper, and Liverpool bid goodbye to Mohamed Salah and Andy Robertson in an emotional afternoon at Anfield.
It's Monday morning, so what better time for some musings? Let's get into it.
- Becherano: Argentina, World Cup fans on tenterhooks as Messi limps off - Olley: Arsenal finally lift Premier League trophy after 22-year wait - Lindop: Salah, Robertson say goodbye to Liverpool as questions linger
Tottenham successfully stay up, but how far away are they from where they really want to be?
Logic told you it was hugely unlikely that Tottenham were going to be relegated heading into the final day, and in this often illogical sport, logic held Sunday. Spurs would have needed to lose at home to Everton, a side with nothing to play for, and West Ham would have needed to beat an equally "on the beach" Leeds United. The latter happened, the former did not and Spurs emerged as 1-0 victors thanks to João Palhinha's strike at the end of the first half.
Some got sniffy and criticized Tottenham players for celebrating at the final whistle because, of course, when you have the sixth-highest wage bill in the league, you ought to be embarrassed to be in that position. They're wrong; that's not how sports work. Each moment has its own context, and the fact that this underachieving, bedraggled bunch could coalesce the way they did and avoid the drop is very much worth jubilation -- in the moment. That moment is over now and as coach Roberto De Zerbi said postgame, it's now time to get to work on 2026-27. Because what happened this season and last season -- yes, consecutive 17th-place finishes -- is a massive embarrassment and can't happen again.