The four of the week

By Carlos Ramírez Zago

Leon is the champion of the CONCACAF Champions League

Club León was crowned champion of the CONCACAF Champions League after defeating Los Angeles FC by a 3-1 aggregate score.

This is the first international title won by the “panzas verdes,” and they become the thirteenth Mexican team to win the Concachampions in addition to earning a ticket to the next two editions of the Club World Cup, representing Concacaf.

In the first leg at the Nou Camp, William Tesillo opened the scoring for «La Fiera» at minute 8′ and Ángel Mena scored a penalty kick at minute 45+5′ to make it 2-0 in favor of the «panzas verdes.» It was not until minute 90+6′ that LAFC woke up, and Denis Bouanga scored the only goal for the North American team.

In the second leg at the Banc of California Stadium, León defeated the home team (LAFC) with a goal by Lucas Di Yorio at minute 20, which meant the title went to the Mexican team with a 3-1 aggregate score.

Club León returned the crown to Liga Mx after winning the CONCACAF Champions League again after the Seattle Sounders defeated Pumas UNAM in 2022 and cut the streak of 16 consecutive Mexican championships.

La Fiera roars! 

FC Barcelona, champions of the UEFA Women’s Champions League

FC Barcelona women’s team defeated Wolfsburg to become European champions.

The match was played at the Philips Stadion in Eindhoven, where at minute 3′, Ewa Pajor opened the scoring for the German team. Minutes later, at minute 37′, Alexandra Popp scored the second goal for Wolfsburg to go to the break with a two-goal advantage over the Catalan team. 

In the second half, FC Barcelona woke up. In the 48th minute, when Patri Guijarro cut the deficit for the Culés (2-1). Two minutes later at minute 50, Patri Guijarro scored again to tie the game at two goals. And it was not until the 70th minute that the Swedish player Fridolina Rolfö scored the goal that brought the game back.

FC Barcelona managed to overcome a 2-0 deficit to win the UEFA Women’s Champions League. After losing the final in 2022 to Olympique Lyon, they got their revenge and became European champions for the second time in their history. 

Undoubtedly, women’s soccer is on the right track and is getting bigger and bigger.

Historic women!

Max Verstappen is the champion in Spain and is getting closer and closer to the F1 tri-championship

Red Bull Racing’s Dutch driver Max Verstappen is getting stronger and stronger in the drivers’ world championship after winning the Spanish Grand Prix.

The Barcelona circuit was no problem for two-time world champion Max Verstappen, who dominated practically the entire race and ended up being the winner once again. The podium was completed by Mercedes drivers Lewis Hamilton (2nd) and George Russell (3rd), this being their first podium together this season.

Mexican driver Sergio Pérez had a bad qualifying time, which forced him to start the race in 11th place. However, the driver from Jalisco was able to climb seven positions during the race, obtaining a fourth place.

After the results of the Spanish Grand Prix, Max Verstappen increased his lead as undisputed leader with 170 points. In second place is Sergio Pérez with 117 points, followed by Fernando Alonso with 97 points. They are the three drivers with the most points in the season. 

Max Verstappen is going seriously for the three-time F1 championship, and the next challenge will be the Canadian Grand Prix on Sunday, June 18.

Will Max Verstappen win again in Canada?

Sevilla is the King of the UEFA Europa League

Sevilla FC is the new champion of the UEFA Europa League, after defeating Mourinho’s Roma in a very even and exciting match at the Puskás Arena in Budapest. 

Paulo Dybala opened the scoring for the Italian team at minute 35. This made the Roman fans dream, but an own goal by Gianluca Mancini at minute 55 gave Sevilla the equalizer.

With the match locked in the midfield, players taking care not to make mistakes, and controversy from the referee Anthony Taylor, the match went to the dreaded penalty shootout, where the Europa League champion would be defined. 

In the famous penalty shootout, Sevilla, together with its great goalkeeper Yassine Bounou and his excellent penalty kicks, managed to beat Roma 4-1 and be crowned in Hungary as the «King» of the Europa League, winning the seventh European Cup in its history. 

With this result, Sevilla FC gets a direct pass to the UEFA Champions League next season This is in addition to playing the European Super Cup against the next Champions League champion (Manchester City or Inter Milan).

Sevilla is invincible in the Europa League!