DIVISION 3

At the top of Division 3, Everton were already Champions but the other two places were still to be settled. Sevilla 68pts, Southampton 66pts and Aston Villa 65pts were the teams fighting for two automatic promotion places with the losing team going into the play offs. To add spice, Aston Villa were playing at home to Sevilla. Borussia Mönchengladbach were guaranteed to be in the play offs. The other two play off places would be fought out between Udinese (needing a draw) 57pts, Lille 54pts, Club Brugge 54pts, Manchester United 52pts and outsiders 1FC Köln 51pts.
The relegation places were already decided.

The games we follow are INTERNAZIONALE v MANCHESTER UNITED; ZENIT SAINT PETERSBURG v UDINESE CALCIO; CELTA VIGO v CLUB BRUGGE; LILLE v SOUTHAMPTON; FC KÖLN v FENERBAHÇE and ASTON VILLA v SEVILLA. We will also keep an eye on Everton’s game at Dnipro.
This is how the night unfolded:

0min - It’s 8pm and the final games of Season 12 are underway all across Europe and South America as we concentrate on Division 3.

1min - Penalty!! Incredibly just 60 seconds into tonight’s games and Southampton have a penalty in Lille!

2min - ⚽️ Goal!! Arnautovic converts the spot kick and it’s Lille 0 Southampton 1 and as that penalty was being taken, Bamba was giving Udinese the lead at Zenit! So already the table is changing:

1. EVERTON 76pts
2. SOUTHAMPTON 69pts
3. SEVILLA 69pts
4. ASTON VILLA 66pts
5. BORUSSIA MGB 62pts
6. UDINESE 60pts
7. BRUGGE 55pts
8. LILLE 54pts
9. MAN UTD 53pts
10. KÖLN 52pts

9min - ⚽️ Goallll!! and it’s a huge one as Moutinho turns back the clock to give Sevilla the lead at Aston Villa!

1. EVERTON 76pts
2. SEVILLA 71pts
3. SOUTHAMPTON 69pts
4. ASTON VILLA 65pts

It’s still early doors but Villa have a lot to do.

11min - It’s been an all action start to the games with important goals already scored and the champions have just went 1-0 up in Dnipro with Moreno being the Everton scorer.

18min - ⚽️ FC Köln have a very difficult task to grab a play off spot with an 8 goal swing needed to pip Lille as well as other results going their way. Well, Lopes has given Köln the lead against Fenerbahce and with Lille trailing, it means it is now a 6 goal swing needed. It’s still a huge ask.

25min - ⚽️ Goal!! and it’s a minor setback for Udinese with Perotti making it Zenit 1 Udinese 1. Remember Udinese only require a point to make the play offs, so they are still on track.

32min - And we hear that Rabiot has scored from the spot to put Champions Everton 2-0 up in Ukraine against Dnipro. Everton looking forward to Division 2 football next season.

34min - ⚽️ Goal!! And it’s bad news for Club Brugges. They have fallen behind to a Delph goal and that lets Lille back into the play off places. Celta Vigo 1 Club Brugge 0

35min - ⚽️ Goal in Russia!! Bonaventura has restored Udinese’s lead and it is Zenit 1 Udinese 2. We will have an updated table for you at half time, that’s when we might catch a breath because...

36min - ⚽️ the goals are coming in quicker than we can react. Ok, catching up. Goal in Italy and it’s Harry Winks who has made it Inter 0 Man Utd 1. United still in the play off race but how about this!! It’s the big game of the night and it’s an equaliser for Villa!! De Tomás has scored and it’s Villa 1 Sevilla 1. Villa back in the automatic promotion race. What a night so far!

39min - ⚽️Goal!! and just as I thought we were getting a breather, Lille have equalised in France. Spanish striker Iglesias has made it Lille 1 Southampton 1 and it is as you were at the top of the table.

40min - ⚽️ Goal!! This is unbelievable!! No sooner did we say it was ‘as you were’ at the top, there is a third goal at Villa Park. Vela has restored Sevilla’s lead 5min before half time and Villa have it all to do.

42min - That was seven goals in eight minutes. Every time we went to update the table, another goal was hitting the back of the net. All updates coming up at half time. And breeeaaathe!!

45min - HT - The half time whistle is sounding around the grounds and we have the half time scores

INTERNAZIONALE 0-1 MANCHESTER UNITED

ZENIT ST PETERSBURG 1-2 UDINESE CALCIO

CELTA VIGO 1-0 CLUB BRUGGE

LILLE OSC 1-1 SOUTHAMPTON

DNIPRO 0-2 EVERTON

FC KÖLN 1-0 FENERBAHÇE

ASTON VILLA 1-2 SEVILLA

1. EVERTON 78pts
2. SEVILLA 71pts
3. SOUTHAMPTON 67pts
4. ASTON VILLA 65pts
5. BORUSSIA MGB 61pts
6. UDINESE 60pts
7. LILLE OSC 55pts
8. MAN UNITED 55pts
9. CLUB BRUGGE 54pts
10. 1FC KÖLN 54pts

So that’s how it stands with 45min left of the season. Sevilla look good for automatic promotion along with Southampton, but a Villa goal would mix things up again. For the play offs, it looks like 1 place left with 4 teams battling for it. We are set for an engrossing second half and it’s coming right up

And off we go as games restart after a thrilling first half...

46min - ⚽️ Goal!! And we are not even 1min into the second half as we hear that Lopes has doubled FC Köln’s lead against Fenerbahçe in Germany. It’s very unlikely that Köln will do enough but they are giving it a go.

47min - ⚽️ Goal!! and the goals keep coming and Llorente has made it Celta Vigo 2 Club Brugge 0 which is surely the end of the Brugge play off chances. They need to score 3 now to have any chance.

51min - ⚽️ Goal!! It comes in from Germany and Cheryshev has pulled one back for Fenerbahçe and that could be the death knell for Köln. They really needed a 4 or 5 goal win but conceding that goal should rule them out of the play off picture.

56min - ⚽️ Goal!! and we said Brugge had to score 3 to have a chance of getting into the play offs. Well, Elkeson has got one. Celta Vigo 2 ClubBrugge 1.

58min - Everton are showing why they are Division 3 Champions with Moreno putting them 3-0 up in Ukraine against Dnipro

60min - Half an hour left to play and it’s still Sevilla and Southampton that will win automatic promotion with Aston Villa left in the play offs. Will it all change?

63min - PENALTY!!! It’s a penalty for Manchester United in Milan. Will bring news ASAP.

64min - ⚽️ Goal!! Demirbay confidently nets the spot kick to make it Inter 0 Man Utd 2 but United need a Southampton goal to make the play offs at Lille’s expense. It is still 1–1 in France.

70min - ⚽️ Goal!! and it’s a huge one. It’s disaster for Aston Villa as Lovren scores a third goal for Sevilla. It’s Villa 1 Sevilla 3 and Sevilla have one foot in Division 2. Villa need to score three goals in the last 20min or it is the lottery of the play offs for them.

76min - 🟥 I’m sure it won’t ruin their night but Rabiot has been red carded for Everton in the Ukraine. 10 man Everton still lead 3-0.

81min - ⚽️ Goal!! and as calm as you will get, Everton shrug off the red card as Weghorst makes it 4-0 to the title winners. That’s either arrogant or just class. You choose.

82min - ⚽️ Goal!! and that is the goal that seals a play off place for Udinese!! Fernando gets on the scoresheet as Udinese darn their place in the post season.

90min - We are heading into stoppage time and although it’s been a quieter second half, there has been some crucial goals. Just waiting on the full time whistle.

It’s all over in Milan where goals from Winks and Demirbay have given Manchester United a 2-0 win over Internazionale but it looks like it won’t be enough as it is still 1-1 in Lille.
It’s full time in Russia and Udinese have sealed their place in the play offs and they could be the team to beat. Zenit 1 Udinese 3

One team that won’t be in the play offs are Club Brugge. They have went down 2–1 to Celta Vigo in Spain and it’s Division 3 for them next season and it’s full time in France where Lille and Southampton have drawn 1-1. Southampton are celebrating with their fans as they are going up to Division 2. The full times are in for the other games and Sevilla are promoted along with Southampton after a 3–1 win over Aston Villa, who have to settle for the play offs. FC Köln have missed out despite a 2-1 win over Fenerbahçe. So, to summarise - Everton go up to Division 2 as Champions with Sevilla and Southampton also going up. In the play offs it will be Aston Villa v Lille OSC and Borussia Mönchengladbach v Udinese Calcio.

The last day of the season always brings the excitement, celebrations and the tears of titles, promotion and the dreaded relegation. This season was no different with, despite a lot of things already being settled, plenty of nerve wracking minutes to be played out. I was going to cover all 5 divisions individually but before the games got underway, decided to concentrate on the extraordinary last day in Division 4.
Therefore, there is a quick ‘as it happened’ of the last day in Division 1, 2, 3 & 5 with extensive coverage of how it happened in Division 4.
So here is how it all unfolded:

DIVISION 1

BARCELONA had already been crowned Champions for the 8th time. A truly incredible achievement for the Spanish giants as they made it 4 titles in a row. Who can truly stop them? They finished 15pts ahead of Chelsea and an amazing 26pts ahead of 3rd places Paris Saint-Germain. They 3 teams were already guaranteed a Champions Cup place with the last spot between Bayern Munich, Juventus and RSC Anderlecht. Bayern required a win at Barcelona, Juventus required a win at home to Chelsea with a Bayern defeat while Anderlecht had to win at home to relegated Hamburger SV and hope for a Bayern Munich defeat and for Juventus to fail to win.
The two clubs who failed to take the last spot would compete in the Euro Shield along with Atlético Madrid, SC Internacional, Real Madrid and Tottenham Hotspur.
At the bottom, Genoa CFC only needed a point at home to AS Roma to be safe while FC Basel required a win at relegated FC Schalke and a Genoa defeat.
This is how it panned out for these games only:

4min - ⚽️ A fantastic start for Genoa as Júnior gives them an early lead. Genoa currently safe no matter what FC Basel do.

9min - ⚽️ Van Aanholt gives Basel the lead at Schalke to put pressure on Genoa.

24min - ⚽️ Schalke 0 Basel 2, Talisca scores as Basel try and finish the game early. Genoa still 1-0 up.

27min - ⚽️ Juventus strike first blow in the race for the remaining Champions Cup place. Jesus with the goal.
As it stands, 4th Juventus 68pts, 5th Bayern Munich 68pts, Anderlecht 66pts.

35min - ⚽️ Anderlecht ahead!! Ocampos scores As they join Bayern and Juventus on 68pts. Juventus have the best goal difference followed by Bayern and then Anderlecht.

39min - ⚽️ Parejo pulls one back for Schalke. Basel lead 2-1 while it is still 1-0 for Genoa.

45min - It is half time around the grounds and, as it stands, Juventus will be in the Champions Cup while, at the bottom, it will be Division 2 football for FC Basel.

2nd half - And we are underway again with the next 45min deciding the fate of the teams with something to play for.

47min - ⚽️ Goal for Anderlecht!! The Belgians go 2-0 up on Hamburger with Mendy scoring. They remain in 6th on goal difference and are depending on news from elsewhere to get them excited.

49min - ⚽️ It’s bad news for Juventus but great news for Bayern and Anderlecht as Alcântara equalises for Chelsea. That means it is now

4. Bayern Munich 68pts

5. Anderlecht 68pts

6. Juventus 66pts

53min - ⚽️ Schalke 1 FC Basel 3. Talisca scores his second of the night but it all counts for nothing unless Roma can score twice at Genoa.

54min - ⚽️ Absolute scenes in the away end in Barcelona as Cavani strikes to put Bayern Munich ahead!! Bayern now have 70pts, Anderlecht 68pts and Juventus 66pts. Sensational stuff!

65min - ⚽️ Nothing more to report as Bayern still lead in Barcelona and Genoa are still 1-0 up on Roma.

67min - ⚽️ There is no doubt that Anderlecht are doing their part as Ocampos makes it 3-0 against Hamburg but realistically they need Barcelona to score twice against Bayern.

73min - ⚽️ It looks all over for Juventus as Pjanic puts Chelsea 2-1 in front in Italy. Juventus have just 17min to salvage their Champions Cup hopes. At the same time, Muniain pulls a goal back for Schalke and it is now Schalke 2 FC Basel 3.

75min - ⚽️ Basel have added a fourth goal through Nani to make it 4-2 in Schalke but it is not enough at the moment with Genoa still 1-0 ahead of Roma.

81min - ⚽️ Anderlecht 4 Hamburger 0. Ocampos completes his hat trick for Anderlecht but it will be the Euro Shield for the Belgians unless Barcelona can turn it around in Spain.
Strootman has scored a 5th goal for Basel at Schalke but it all looks in vain.

82min - ⚽️ Aspas scores a consolation for Hamburger to make it 4-1 to Anderlecht.

90min - The games are into stoppage time as we wait for the full time whistles.

It’s all over for Juventus as they lose 2-1 at home to Chelsea meaning they will compete in the Euro Shield and it’s also full time in Belgium where Anderlecht have beaten Hamburger 4-1. Barring a miracle in Barcelona, they will also compete in next season’s Euro Shield.

The whistle goes in Gelsenkirchen as FC Basel win 5-2 against Schalke. A great effort but it doesn’t look like it will be enough.

And Bayern Munich claim the last Champions Cup place as the full time whistle goes in Spain, giving them an unexpected 1-0 win Over Barcelona and it’s also full time in Genoa as the home fans celebrate survival with an early goal giving them a 1-0 win over AS Roma. The tears flow amongst the Basel fans but it is Division 2 football for them.

DIVISION 2

At the top of Division 2, it was already all sorted out. Hellas Verona were champions with SSC Napoli and Ajax Amsterdam joining them in Division 1 next season. Arsenal, Hertha BSC, RCD Espanyol and Levante UD will be in the play offs.
At the bottom it was relegation for Shakhtar Donetsk, AS Monaco and Montpellier HSC. This left one relegation place to be filled. Standard Liege were in that position with 41pts with Chievo Verona on 42pts, Galatasaray 43pts, Wolfsburg 44pts and Stoke City 44pts trying to survive. This is how it unfolded:

0min: Here we go as the games kick off and we have 5 teams trying to avoid that last relegation spot in Division 2. Standard Liege v Ajax, RCD Espanyol v Chievo, Stoke City v Bayer Leverkusen and the huge Wolfsburg v Galatasaray are the games we are following.

10min - we are 10min into the games and we await the first goal.

12min - ⚽️ Goal!! First goal of the night comes for Chievo and it’s Mitrović who puts them 1-0 up at Espanyol.

13. Stoke City 45pts

14. Chievo Verona 45pts

15. Wolfsburg 45pts

16. Galatasaray 44pts

17. Standard Liege 42pts

18. Montpellier 40pts

19. AS Monaco 34pts

20. Shakhtar 28pts

17min - ⚽️ Stoke City are ahead! Stoke take a huge step towards safety with Baldé putting them in front against Leverkusen.

25min - Not a lot of goal action with Chievo 1-0 up at Espanyol and Stoke 1-0 up on Bayer Leverkusen. Standard Liege are still 0-0 v Ajax and there are no goals between Wolfsburg and Galatasaray.

30min - 🟥 Red card!! Standard Liege’s survival hopes take a huge blow with defender Komar sent off. Still 0-0.

31min - ⚽️ Stoke City go 2-0 ahead!! The Potters look like they will survive as Raphinha scores. Stoke 2 Leverkusen 0

37min - ⚽️ It’s a huge goal as Grealish scores to give Galatasaray the lead at Wolfsburg!! The bottom of the table now looks like this

14. Galatasaray 46pts

15. Chievo Verona 45pts

16. Wolfsburg 44pts

17. Standard Liege 42pts

18. Montpellier 40pts

19. AS Monaco 33pts

20. Shakhtar 30pts

43min - ⚽️ Stoke City cannot consider themselves safe just yet as Costa pulls a goal back from the penalty spot before half time for Leverkusen. 2-1 Stoke.

45min - It’s half time all over Europe and it is

RCD ESPANYOL 0-1 CHIEVO VERONA

STANDARD LIEGE 0-0 AJAX AMSTERDAM

STOKE CITY 2-1 BAYER LEVERKUSEN

VFL WOLFSBURG 0-1 GALATASARAY SK

As it stands, with 45 minutes of the season left, it will be Standard Liege that will be relegated.

We are off and running again with a lot resting on the next 45 minutes.

54min - ⚽️ Stoke City have been pulled back to 2-2 by Leverkusen after leading 2-0. Hulk scores the equaliser and Stoke are back in the mix and just as I say that, there is huge news coming in from Belgium where Ben Yedder has put Standard Liege ahead!! Wow!! What has that done to the table. Let’s look

13. Galatasaray 46pts

14. Stoke City 45pts

15. Chievo Verona 45pts

16. Standard Liege 44pts

17. Wolfsburg 44pts

18. Montpellier 40pts

19. AS Monaco 33pts

20. Shakhtar 30pts

60min - Half an hour to play and as it stands, it will be Wolfsburg that are relegated.

70min - No more goals to report as nerves will be on edge across Europe on this final day of the season.

82min - ⚽️ It’s bedlam in Belgium as Cutrone scores a second goal for Standard Liege. They are just 8min from survival but a goal for Wolfsburg would still see Liege going down. Tense stuff.

90min - The games will be going into time added on and it is currently Wolfsburg who will go down.

FT - It’s all over in Belgium and Standard Liege have beaten Ajax 2-0 with goals from Ben Yedder and Cutrone but they face an anxious few moments as they are still playing in Wolfsburg.

FT - Stoke City are safe as the whistle goes at the end of a 2-2 draw at home to Bayer Leverkusen. Still playing in Wolfsburg.

FT - An early goal from Mitrović gives Chievo a 1-0 win at Espanyol and they are also safe.

FT - And it’s tears in Germany as the full time whistle sounds. A first half Jack Grealish goal has saved Galatasaray but sends Wolfsburg down to Division 3. There are celebrations in Belgium as Standard Liege stay up but for Wolfsburg and their fans it is heartbreak.