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Saturday European Rewind: Arsenal lifts FA Cup, Dortmund wins German Cup, and more

Arsenal ended the domestic season on a high note, defeating Premier League champions Chelsea, 2-1, in Saturday’s FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium.

A 79th-minute winning goal from Aaron Ramsey clinched Arsenal their 13th FA Cup trophy, and the goal came just minutes after Chelsea drew level. Diego Costa brought Chelsea level at 1-1 after 76 minutes, scoring from inside the box. Antonio Conte’s side were reduced to 10 men after 68 minutes when Victor Moses saw a second yellow card for diving.

Alexis Sanchez’s fourth-minute opener put the Gunners ahead early, as the Chilean scored his 30th goal in all competitions. Danny Welbeck and Ramsey both saw first-half chances deflect off the left-post, which easily could have added to the Blues dismal first half. Mesut Ozil also struck the post after 87 minutes which could have added to the Gunners lead late. Regardless at the final whistle, Arsenal held on for a 2-1 victory over their London rivals. David Ospina made four saves for Arsene Wenger’s side, while Thibaut Courtois also made four.

Elsewhere, Borussia Dortmund lifted the German Cup after a 2-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt. Barcelona retained the Copa Del Rey crown after a convincing victory over Alaves, while PSG earned a dramatic Coupe de France win over Angers. Celtic finished their domestic season in Scotland unbeaten, lifting their first treble in 16 years.

Here is a rundown of all Saturday’s European action:

ENGLISH FA CUP

Arsenal 2 – Chelsea 1

SPANISH COPA DEL REY

Despite no Champions League or La Liga title this season, Barcelona retained the Copa Del Rey trophy with a 3-1 thumping of Alaves in Madrid. A trio of first-half goals from Luis Enrique’s side propelled them to their third consecutive Copa Del Rey crown. Lionel Messi opened the scoring after 30 minutes, finding the back of the net from long-range. Theo Hernandez drew Alaves level three minutes later, scoring from a dangerous free-kick.

Neymar’s 20th goal in all competitions put Barcelona back in front after 42 minutes before Paco Alcacer extended the lead in stoppage time. Alaves could not break down the Barcelona back-line for a second time, eventually falling, 3-1, at the Vicente Calderon.

Barcelona 3 – Alaves 1

GERMAN DFB POKAL

Borussia Dortmund used a 67th-minute penalty kick from Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to outlast Eintracht Frankfurt in a 2-1 German Cup victory. However, it was Christian Pulisic who made the difference, winning the penalty as a second-half substitute. The 18-year-old was fouled by Lukas Hradecky which allowed Aubameyang the chance to put Dortmund back ahead. The Gabon international rifled home from the spot, giving Thomas Tuchel’s side a lead they would not relinquish.

Ousmane Dembele opened the scoring after eight minutes, scoring from a difficult angle inside the box. Ante Rebic’s right-footed goal after 29 minutes brought Frankfurt level going into halftime. Aubameyang’s 40th goal across all competitions proved to be the winner as Dortmund held on as 2-1 winners.

Eintracht Frankfurt 1 – Borussia Dortmund 2

ITALIAN SERIE A

Atalanta finished the season on a high, defeating Chievo Verona, 1-0, at the Atleti Azzurri d’Italia. A 52nd-minute winner from Alejandro Gomez proved to be the difference, as the hosts ended the season 10 matches unbeaten. Gomez’s right-footed effort found the bottom left corner, for the Argentine’s 16th goal of the season. Chievo mustered three shots on goal, but ultimately fell for the second time in their last four matches. Atalanta ends the season in fourth, good for a Europa League spot, while Chievo finishes in 14th.

Juventus ended its Serie A campaign on a winning note defeating Bologna, 2-1, away from home. Massimiliano Allegri’s side used a 94th-minute winner from Moise Keane to end the season on 91 points. Keane, 17, headed home Miralem Pjanic’s cross to the bottom left corner in stoppage time. Paulo Dybala drew Juventus level after 70 minutes, finishing from close range for his 17th goal of the season in all competitions. Despite an opening goal from Saphir Taider in the 52nd minute, Bologna fell for the third time in the month of May. The hosts end the season in 15th, while Juventus now prepares for a UEFA Champions League final against Real Madrid next Saturday.

Atalanta 1 – Chievo Verona 0

Bologna 1 – Juventus 2

FRENCH COUPE DE FRANCE

Paris Saint-Germain recorded the club’s 11th Coupe de France victory on Saturday, defeating Angers, 1-0, at the Stade De France. A 91st-minute own goal off of Angers’ Issa Cissokho proved to be the difference in the low-scoring fixture. PSG recorded five shots on goal in the win, while Angers only had one in the defeat. Unai Emery’s side ends the season with both domestic cups, despite finishing as runners-up in the Ligue 1 title race. Angers ends the season in 12th place in the Ligue 1 table, and surely will felt hard done by after Saturday’s painful ending.

Angers 0 – PSG 1

SCOTTISH CUP

Celtic ended the domestic season unbeaten, defeating Aberdeen, 2-1, in the Scottish Cup final. Brendan Rodgers’ side received a 92nd-minute winner from Tom Rogic to clinch their first domestic treble in 16 years. Rogic, who came on as a first-half substitute, slid his way inside the box and finished cleanly past Joe Lewis. Aberdeen struck first after nine minutes, as Jonny Hayes struck home from a beautifully taken half-volley. The lead for the Dons lasted two minutes as Stuart Armstrong equalized for Celtic from a nice finish. Derek McInnes’ side was pushing for extra time, until Australian international Rogic played the hero in stoppage time. The winner gave Celtic a 2-1 win at Hampden Park, while Aberdeen falls short again in a cup final.

Celtic 2 – Aberdeen 1

 

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