Cesc Fàbregas celebrates Como’s qualification for European competition.
From Como’s historic European qualification to Leipzig’s Champions League return, and from Barcelona and Galatasaray’s league titles to the turmoil at Real Madrid, this weekend offered a mix of triumph and despair. On the losing side, Slavia Prague fans invaded the pitch, Nantes suffered relegation, and the Madrid crisis deepened after a clash between Tchouaméni and Valverde. Here are the highlights selected by Flashscore.
**Winner: Como**
Cesc Fàbregas’ side made history on Sunday by securing their first-ever European qualification with a 1-0 away victory over Hellas Verona, thanks to a solitary goal from Douvikas at the Marc’Antonio Bentegodi. Now, their next target is a Champions League berth. The Lombardy club sits sixth with 65 points, just behind Roma (67, fifth), Milan (67, fourth), and Juventus (68, third). The team boasts a strong Spanish influence beyond the bench: Álvaro Morata, Álex Valle, Alberto Moreno, Jacobo Ramón, Sergi Roberto, and Jesús Rodríguez all feature in the squad, alongside key players like Hispano-Argentine Nico Paz and Hispano-Senegalese Assane Diao.
**Loser: Tchouaméni and Valverde (Real Madrid)**
After a forgettable season—out of the La Liga title race early, eliminated in the Copa del Rey round of 16 by second-tier Albacete, and knocked out of the Champions League quarterfinals by Bayern despite a strong campaign—tensions boiled over in the Real Madrid dressing room. Following a verbal exchange during Wednesday’s training session, Tchouaméni and Valverde came to blows on Thursday. The French midfielder reportedly struck the Uruguayan, who was taken to hospital with a head trauma and will be sidelined for 10–14 days. Both players received fines of €500,000. To make matters worse, Madrid were outclassed in the Clásico, losing 2-0 as Barcelona secured the league title for the first time in a direct showdown against their eternal rivals.
**Winner: Galatasaray**
Galatasaray sealed their 26th Turkish league title—and fourth consecutive—on Saturday with a 4-2 win over Antalyaspor, clinching the championship with one game to spare. Okan Buruk’s squad, featuring standout performances from Gabriel Sara, Gündogan, Osimhen, Icardi, and Sané, has enjoyed a stellar season. They reached the Champions League round of 16 after eliminating Juventus in the play-offs. The Lions took the SüperLig lead in matchday four and never looked back. A pivotal 3-0 derby victory over second-placed Fenerbahçe on April 26 was instrumental in their title triumph.
**Loser: Nantes**
After 14 years in the top flight, Nantes has been relegated from Ligue 1. The Canaries, eight-time French champions (last in 2001), confirmed their drop after a narrow 1-0 loss to Lens on Friday. With 23 points, they sit 17th with one match remaining. The squad includes notable names such as former Lyon goalkeeper Antony Lopes, ex-Valencia and Villarreal midfielder Francis Coquelin, Rémy Cabella, and former Granada striker Youssef El Arabi from Morocco.
**Winner: RB Leipzig**
RB Leipzig secured a return to Champions League football on Saturday after a year outside European competitions. The Saxony-based side defeated St. Pauli 2-1, ensuring a top-four finish in the Bundesliga. This marks a crucial step for the club, which aims to re-establish itself among Europe’s elite after a brief absence.