Last week, we saw some cup finals being played out among some of Europe's heavyweights to wrap up what has truly been a pulsating season.
Dutch manager for the last time was in charge of Manchester United when his side played Alan Pardew's Crystal Palace at the iconic Wembley Stadium. Substitute Jason Puncheon looked to won it in the closing stages of the game with a crisp volley of sorts past a hapless David De Gea, but Spanish high flyer Juan Mata almost immediately put in his side level as he saw his shot brush the legs of Joel Ward into the back of the net. Chris Smalling got sent by Mark Clattenburg for a mind-bogglingly stupid challenge on African Yannick Bolasie, Every king deserves a coronation in any kingdom and Louis Van Gaal had to wait until extra time to witness something like that. English substitute Jesse Lingard along wrote his name into Manchester United folklore in the second half of extra time with a truly gorgeous hit past Welsh goalie Wayne Hennessy to win it for the 10 men. United with that win equaled Arsenal's FA Cup record of 12 wins. Louis Van Gaal got the sack barely 24 hours after, as the Special One was given the reins at Old Trafford.
Another English heavyweight in Liverpool faced off against Unai Emery and Sevilla in the UEFA Europa League Final in St-Jakob Park in Basel, Switzerland. English striker Daniel Sturridge brilliantly put his side in front few minutes before the interval with a really magnificent finish to stake claim for all the pressure heaped on Sevilla. In the second half, we saw a different Sevilla. Frenchman Kevin Gameiro staked his importance as one of Europe's best in front of goal with the equaliser minutes after the restart. Never say die captain Coke in an impressive fashion scored twice to condemn Jürgen Klopp to his second final defeat this season and wrap up an astonishing third Europa League trophy in three straight years.
Barcelona and Sevilla clashed in the Copa Del Rey final at the Vicentè Caldèron. Both teams were in search for a second piece of silverware when they met on Sunday. Argentine defender Javier Mascherano was given his marching orders after illegitimately preventing Kevin Gameiro a clear goalscoring opportunity. Ever Banega followed suit deep into second half stoppage time as he impeded Neymar illegally from putting Barcelona ahead. Daniel Carrico also got sent off for Sevilla as it was a really intense affair. Fullback Jordi Alba put his side in front in the 96th Minute and Brazilian poster boy Neymar wrapped things up in the 122nd minute.
Pep Guardiola bowed out in tears after his side claimed their second trophy of the campaign in the DFB-Pokal final at the expense of almost-eternal rivals Borussia Dortmund. The final was played in the Olympiastadion in Berlin. Chances were the premium in this game as Pep and Tomas Tüchel animated on the touchline to see if their respective sides could nick the win. We had to wait till the lottery of the penalty shootout as Brazilian winger Douglas Costa from 12 yards out condemned Dortmund to a third German Cup final defeat in three consecutive years and to send Josep Guardiola into a whirlwind of emotions as he broke down in tears. It was also his last game in charge of the Germans as Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti takes charge next season.
In Italy, Juventus and AC Milan brought back a feeling of what used to be almost a norm in previous Coppa Italia finals: a game with two of Europe's high flyers. AC Milan last four years haven't found their wings at all while the Old Lady have rebranded of sorts and become a force to be taken note of in the world of football. It was a certain Spaniard who decided the game as he scored within two minutes of being introduced in the second half of extra time to send the Juventus camp into complete jubilation.
With all these finals wrapped up, we have one more final, a certain Spanish rivalry looking to write another chapter. Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid look for their first piece of silverware play on Saturday in the UEFA Champions League final. The historic Giuseppe Meazza Stadium in San Siro will be the venue of this European Blockbuster. This final sees two sides from the same city in an encounter for the second time in the competition's history; last time out was in 2014 in Lisbon. Could it be a case of history, or a new era? The final sound of Mark Clattenburg's whistle will tell us who takes this one home.
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