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A series of non-fungible token (NFT) releases for the Coppa Italia this past weekend resulted in a high sale of €3,500 for a one-of-a-kind virtual trophy designed by artist Diego Perrone, according to blockchain records. The item has been re-listed online for €57,000.

In an attempt to appeal to a younger, more tech-savvy audience, Lega Serie A partnered with cryptocurrency marketplace Crypto.com to release limited-edition digital collectibles related to Juventus' 2-1 cup win over Atalanta. Among the items were match highlights, rotating medals and a view of the victory ceremony, as well as the unique Perrone imagination of the Coppa Italia trophy.

But the set has not quite matched the success of NFTs stemming from other industries, such as a recent series unveiled by car maker Aston Martin. There is still time, however, for that to change.

Why does it matter?

Lega Serie A, the governing body for Italian football, created the NFT partnership to gauge interest from football fans in the crypto-driven market. If the project is deemed successful, it could invite Serie A clubs to release far more virtual collectibles in the coming year.

While the NFT drops from the weekend didn't generate an immediate bidding war of epic proportions, the €3,500 sale for the most scarce item available still indicated an initial price point that could surprise people not familiar with the rapidly growing market.

However, total sales from all Coppa Italia NFTs have not yet come close to the Aston Martin licensed drop from April that sold digital tokens worth well over €2 million.

Further reading

India are currently fourth in Group E of the World Cup 2022 qualifiers with three points from five matches. 

They will resume their campaign against Qatar on June 3, followed by Bangladesh on June 7 and finally Afghanistan in their last qualifying game on June 15.

While India does not stand a chance of qualifying for the next round of the World Cup, they can still finish third in the group stage and qualify directly for the third round of the Asian Cup. 

This is how things stand at the moment. 

What happens when three teams finish with the same points?

However, there is a possibility of India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan finishing on the same number of points. 

If India lose both against Qatar and Bangladesh and beat Afghanistan,then the Blue Tigers finish on six points. Whereas, if Afghanistan draw their first two games then both teams will finish on six points. Meanwhile, Bangladesh also can end up with the same number of points if they beat India and draw against Oman and Afghanistan. 

However, if India lose big against Qatar, by a narrow margin against Bangladesh and win against Afghanistan by a narrow margin then there is a possibility that we might see the three teams end up with the same goal difference and same goals scored. 

Then how will the ranking be decided?

Currently, the table looks like this. 

When will the 'Fair Play Point System' be invoked? 

However, after playing all the group matches and drawing up a separate table with the three locked teams the parameters remain the same, to break the deadlock, FIFA has devised an innovative method known as the 'fair play point system'. 

It considers the number of yellow and red cards in all group matches and the following deductions are made:

– first yellow card: minus 1 point

– second yellow card/indirect red card: minus 3 points

– direct red card: minus 4 points

– yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points

If the three teams can't be separated even after this, there will be a drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee. 

The Indian national team will resume their World Cup 2022 qualifying campaign against Qatar on June 3, followed by Bangladesh on June 7 and finally Afghanistan in their last qualifying game on June 15.

India started their journey in the qualifiers with a narrow 2-1 defeat at the hands of Oman at home followed by a historic goalless draw against Asian champions Qatar in Doha. In their third and fourth matches, the Blue Tigers managed 1-1 draws against Bangladesh and Afghanistan respectively but again suffered a narrow 1-0 defeat against Oman away from home in their fifth match. 

While India does not stand a chance of qualifying for the next round of the World Cup qualifiers, they still have a lot to play for in the remaining three fixtures. If India can finish at least in the third position then they will qualify directly for the third round of the Asian Cup 2023 qualifiers.

This is how the table looks like at the moment. 

What happens when two teams finish on the same points? 

If two teams finish with the same number of points at the league stage then the following criteria will be factored in while deciding the rankings. 

Overall goal difference

Overall goals scored

The goals scored away from home count double between the teams
concerned (if the tie is only between two teams);

If two or more teams are equal on the basis of the above criteria, their rankings shall be determined as follows:

         5. Greatest number of points obtained in the group matches between the teams concerned.

         6. Goal difference resulting from the group matches between the teams concerned.

         7. Greater number of goals scored in all group matches between the teams concerned.

         8. Fair play points system in which the number of yellow and red cards in all group matches is considered according to the following deductions:

– first yellow card: minus 1 point
– second yellow card/indirect red card: minus 3 points
– direct red card: minus 4 points
– yellow card and direct red card: minus 5 points

         9. Drawing of lots by the FIFA Organising Committee. 

In the event of a tournament being played in one of the countries of the participating member associations (in this case Qatar) or on neutral territory, if two or more teams are equal after the completion of the group stage in accordance with the above criteria 1-7 (barring number 3), the final rankings will be determined by rules 8 and 9. 

How can India finish in third place?

With Qatar and Oman locked in a battle for the top two spots, the rest of the three teams in Afghanistan, India, and Bangladesh are fighting for third place which will ensure a direct spot in the third round of the Asian Cup Qualification 2023. 

The easiest way for India to finish in third-place is to win all their games. Winning all their matches will take India to 12 points and since they will beat both Bangladesh and Afghanistan in the process, the third place will be sealed for the Blue Tigers. 

If India repeat their result against Qatar and win the remaining two matches they will finish on 10 points. In that case, even if Afghanistan win their two games against Bangladesh and Oman, they have high chances of finishing fourth as India have a better goal difference right now. However, if India lose against Qatar and win the last two games, then the Afghans must drop points against either Bangaladesh or Oman. Bangladesh do not have any chance to come third in this case. 

If India draw their first two matches then they must win against Afghanistan. Anoush Dastgir's men must also drop points in one of their first two matches. Whereas, if Bangladesh win their two games, they will finish level on points with India and then goal difference will come into play. India, right now, as a vastly superior goal difference.

If India lose both against Qatar and Bangladesh and beat Afghanistan, then The Lions of Khorasan must draw against Bangladesh and lose/draw against Oman. Bangladesh, must also lose/draw against Oman. 

India cannot afford to lose against Afghanistan as if they do so, things will get very complicated for Sunil Chhetri and co. Then even if they win their first two games, they have to hope that the Afghans do not pick up more than two points from their first two games. If India get a draw against Afghanistan then they will have leverage of three points.

What happens if India finish fourth? 

If India finish fourth then also they can qualify for the Asian Cup qualifying third round if they finish amongst the four best fourth-placed teams across all groups. The remaining four fourth-placed teams will advance to the Asian Cup qualifying play-off round.

Karl Toko Ekambi was on song twice as Olympic Lyon bowed 3-2 to Nice on the final day of the 2020-21 Ligue 1 campaign.

A win for the Kids could have guaranteed them a place in next season’s Champions League, however, they could only settle for a place in the Europa League after losing at home to Adrian Ursea’s men.

With just fourteen minutes into the game, Toko Ekambi put his team ahead after heading past goalkeeper Walter Benitez a cross from Memphis Depay.

That lead lasted for just 13 minutes as the hosts levelled matters through Kasper Dolberg after guiding home a pass from Pierre Lees-Melou.

Five minutes before the halftime break, the Cameroonian striker completed his brace with a simple header. Again, it was Depay who supplied the assist.

Nice stepped up their game in the second half and deservedly equalised through French midfielder of Gambian descent Hassane Kamara in the 50th minute.

Seven minutes later, Arsenal loanee William Saliba sealed victory for the visitors by heading Amine Gouiri’s free-kick past goalkeeper Anthony Lopes.

At the Stade Saint-Symphorien, Farid Boulaya was on target for Metz, nevertheless, they settled for a 1-1 draw against Olympique Marseille.

With the tight encounter looking destined to end 0-0, the Algerian midfielder powered Frederic Antonetti’s men ahead from the penalty mark following a handball incidence in the visitors’ box.

Almost immediately, Arkadiusz Milik ensured that the Phocaeans returned home with a point as he beat goalkeeper Alexandre Oukidja from the penalty spot following a foul on Djamel Benlamri.

Elsewhere, Andy Delort helped Montpellier secure a 2-1 away win over Moses Simon’s Nantes.

The Algeria international made amend for his penalty miss in the 29th minute of the encounter by netting the winner.

Despite needing a win to avoid demotion to the French second tier, the Yellow House got pegged down in the 30th minute courtesy of Gaetan Laborde’s strike.

That lead lasted for just three minutes before former France youth international of Congolese background Randal Kolo Muani equalised for the hosts.

14 minutes before full time, Delort had the final say after he was set up by Elye Wahi.

Nantes will have to come through a relegation play-off to save their top-flight place.

Mali international El Bilal Toure ended the season with a goal, nevertheless, Reims suffered a 2-1 loss to Bordeaux.

The 19-year-old forward put the Red and Whites ahead in the 15th minute after he was teed up by Thomas Foket.

A minute before the halftime break, French youth international of Algerian background Yacine Adli restored parity for the Girondins.

Ghana prospect Enock Kwateng sealed victory for Jean-Louis Gasset’s men in the second half.

In another fixture, Mauritania international Aboubakar Kamara scored Dijon’s only goal as they pipped Saint Etienne 1-0 away from home..

Franck Kessie was on target twice as AC Milan ended their 2020-21 campaign with a 2-0 away victory over 10-man Atalanta.

A goal in each half by the Cote d’Ivoire international helped the Red and Blacks subdue Gian Piero Gasperini’s men on Sunday night.

Unbeaten in their last four games in all competitions, AC Milan travelled to the Gewiss Stadium having in mind that anything short of victory would end their Champions League qualification hopes.

Nevertheless, they put a good fight and sealed all points at stake as Atalanta ended their impressive campaign in defeat.

With the first half of the keenly contested affair heading for a 0-0 draw, the visitors were awarded a penalty by referee Maurizio Mariani following a foul in the hosts’ area.

Theo Hernandez played a one-two to burst into the Black and Blues’ box, He got taken out by Joakim Maehle – prompting Mariani to point to the spot.

The Ivorian took the ensuing kick and sent the ball confidently into the bottom left corner of Pierluigi Gollini’s goal.  

Atalanta came out stronger in the second half, albeit, they were unable to find their way past Milan’s backline.

Their ambition of picking at least a draw faded into thin air as their opponents got a second penalty during added time.

Diogo Dalot cut back from the right for Hakan Calhanoglu. Calhanoglu fluffed his shot but Robin Gosens thoughtlessly had his arm raised and the referee pointed to the spot.

That decision caused a bit of uproar among Atalanta's players and Marten de Roon got sent off in the process for violent conduct.

Again, Kessie made no mistakes in sending the ball past goalkeeper Gollini. With this result, Stefano Pioli’s men finished in the second position and ultimately booked a ticket to next season’s Champions League.

Elsewhere, Victor Osimhen’s Napoli settled for a place in the Europa League following their 1-1 draw at home to Hellas Verona.

The tough Serie A showdown saw Amir Rahmani put the Parthenopeans’ ahead in the 61st minute after he was set up by Nigerian international Osimhen.

That lead lasted for just eight minutes as Ivan Juric’s team levelled matters through Marco Davide Faraoni.

Despite a late rally from Gattuso’s team, the game ended 1-1 – and that ruled Napoli out of the Champions League – as Juventus decimated Bologna 4-1 away from home.

While the Super Eagle was in action from start to finish, Senegal's Faouzi Ghoulam and Kalidou Koulibaly were not named for the cracker.

Andrea Pirlo has made one last public case to Juventus upper management that he should be retained for next season, claiming he has put the club "on the right path" during his first year in charge.

His men capped a positive week on Sunday by earning a Champions League berth through a 4-1 victory over Bologna and a Napoli draw. They also won the Coppa Italia last Wednesday.

However, Pirlo's defence of his record may be undercut by an early European exit to Porto and lack of a Serie A title charge.

What has been said?

“I never had fear," Pirlo told DAZN. "It took me a while to create that routine for the training sessions. It took some time to make the lads understand what I wanted, it was not easy to step in with so many champions, but everyone has helped me.

“I’ve improved, it was a complicated season, but it was useful for my development.

“We are on the right path as long as we help each other and run all together for the target. We lacked all these things many times this season.

"In the end, we achieved the result [of Champions League qualification]. If we start again together next season, we’ll have a solid base."

Vital four-match run

When Juventus lost 3-0 to AC Milan on May 9, it appeared virtually impossible for them to make the Champions League. Pirlo was said to have little hope of staying in Turin beyond the campaign.

They won their final three Serie A matches, though, and knocked off Atalanta in the Coppa Italia final.

It's unclear whether that's enough for Pirlo to have saved his job, but it has certainly given him ground to argue from.

Further reading

Sergio Aguero is close to signing a deal with Barcelona, revealed Pep Guardiola on Sunday.

The manager fully endorsed the move, saying Aguero would provide a huge boost to the Spanish giant's attack. He added that he was happy Aguero could play "alongside the best player of all time, Messi".

Aguero bid an emotional farewell to Manchester City on Sunday with his contract set to expire, scoring twice in a 5-0 victory over Everton.

What has been said?

"Maybe I reveal a secret," Guardiola told BBC. "Maybe he is close to agreeing a deal for the club of my heart - for Barcelona.

"He is going to be playing alongside the best player of all time, Messi.

"I'm pretty sure he is going to enjoy. And maybe Barcelona are stronger and stronger with him on the pitch."

Further reading

Giorgio Chiellini said Juventus players were happy for first-year manager Andrea Pirlo after qualifying for the Champions League on Sunday with a win over Bologna. The veteran defender considers Pirlo's job "not easy" and believes some of the criticism levied on the boss has been harsh.

The Bianconeri were on the brink of missing the top four before a run of three straight victories to close the campaign narrowly put them back in Europe's top competition. Chiellini admitted that a couple of weeks ago he thought a Champions League berth was an "impossible result to achieve" - which has only added to the sense of satisfaction the team feels now.

However, it remains unclear whether the late-season salvage job will be enough to keep Pirlo employed, with rumours swirling that the Turin club is already looking toward potential replacements.

What has been said?

“We are happy for the coach, it was his first season and it was not easy," Chiellini told DAZN.

"We breathe a sigh of relief as fifteen days ago, after the defeat against Milan, I thought this was an impossible result to achieve.

“If we had had this commitment for the entire season, we wouldn’t have been in this situation, we can’t have regrets, Inter deserved to win the title.

“We won two trophies this season and we can play the Champions League in the next campaign. Today we were playing for two seasons. This one and half of the next one."

Dramatic final matchday

Juventus required assistance on Sunday and got it in the form of a Napoli draw with Verona that pushed the Bianconeri into fourth place. Elsewhere, AC Milan toppled Atalanta to finish in second.

In addition to their Champions League qualification, Juventus also claimed a Coppa Italia title in the final stretch of the season.

Further reading

Cyriel Dessers was on the scoresheet as Genk secured a 2-1 victory over Club Brugge in Sunday’s Belgian First Division A of the Championship playoff game.

The 26-year-old was afforded his sixth league start and seized the opportunity to find the back of the net in the encounter.

His compatriot Paul Onuachu, who has been in terrific form for the club this season, was an unused substitute in the outing.

Genk started the game on the back foot with Club Brugge dictating the pace and could have opened the scoring in the 34th minute when they were awarded a penalty but Hans Vanaken missed his strike from the spot.

The newly crowned champions paid for their miss as the Blue and White gradually build into the game and broke the deadlock moments after the hour mark through Bastien Toma.

Club Brugge then levelled proceedings in the 80th minute when Ruud Vormer fired his effort past goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt after he was set up by Tahith Chong.

With five minutes before time, Dessers scored the match-winning goal, converting from the penalty spot after he was brought down in the area.

The Super Eagles centre-forward featured for the duration of the game in his 28thh league appearance of the season.

For Club Brugge, Senegal’s Youssouph Badji was on parade for 66 minutes before he was replaced by Tahith Chong while his teammate and Ivory Coast’s Odilon Kossounou featured for the entirety of the game.

With the victory, Genk finished the Championship group with 44 points to seal a place in the Champions League next season.

Dessers had previously lamented his limited game time as he is below his compatriot Onuachu in the pecking order, revealing he could leave Genk at the end of the season.

The attacker has now featured in 34 games this season, including 28 in the Belgian top-flight, bagging seven goals and three assists.

He teamed up with John van den Brom’s men last summer from Heracles Almelo, where he delivered eye-catching performances.

The attacker will hope to improve on his debut season with Genk when the 2021-22 campaign gets underway. 

Gareth Bale says that he knows where his future lies beyond the summer but that if he says anything now it will “cause chaos”.

Bale has spent the last season on loan at Tottenham from Real Madrid, though it is unclear whether he might stay with the Premier League club, return to Spain or move elsewhere.

The Wales star bagged a double for Spurs as they shocked Leicester 4-2 on the final day of the season on what may be his farewell appearance for the London club.

What did he say?

Speaking to Sky Sports, he said: “It will happen after the Euros. I know what I'm doing but it will just cause chaos if I say anything.”

He was then asked when the decision will be revealed.

Bale said: “Whenever I decide.

“I am not thinking about anything, all I’m concentrating on now is obviously finishing this season off strong.

“We meet up straight away for the Euros and I’m not thinking about anything else other than Wales.”

Bale has struggled to find space at Real Madrid in recent months under Zinedine Zidane, with his attitude towards the club having been questioned in the media.

With a sizeable wage, Madrid may feel that they cannot afford to carry such a burden on a player who may not feature.

Further Reading

Kelechi Iheanacho and Wilfred Ndidi featured prominently in Leicester City’s 4-2 defeat to Tottenham, but their contribution ultimately ended in disappointment on the last day of the 2020-21 Premier League season.

Needing a victory and hoping at least one of Chelsea or Liverpool drop points to secure a Champions League berth, the two Nigeria internationals - who played throughout the game - were unable to help the Foxes get the desired result.

Two goals from Jamie Vardy were not enough as a brace from Gareth Bale, a strike from Harry Kane and an own goal from Kasper Schmeichel ensured Spurs clinched all three points in the encounter.

The England international finished the campaign with 23 goals, one strike ahead of Salah to clinch the Golden Boot award for the third time.

It is the second consecutive time the Foxes missed out on a place in the Champions League on the last day of the Premier League.

Iheanacho and Ndidi have played significant roles for Leicester this season, helping them to win the FA Cup title.

Meanwhile, Liverpool secured a 2-0 victory over Crystal Palace at Anfield, with Sadio Mane scoring the goals on the day. 

Mane put Jurgen Klopp’s men in front in the 36th minute before completing his brace with a fine strike after he was set up by Salah, his 11th goal of the league campaign.

The victory secured the Reds a dramatic third place on the standings, having been 10 points behind Leicester with 10 games to go.

Elsewhere, Nicolas Pepe scored twice to help Arsenal secure a 2-0 victory over Brighton and Hove Albion at the Emirates Stadium.

The Ivory Coast international found the back of the net in the 49th minute before completing his brace on the hour mark.

The effort ensured the Gunners secure all three points and ended the campaign in the eighth spot on the table, finishing with 61 points from 38 games.

In another game, Bertrand Traore scored his seventh Premier League goal of the season to help Aston Villa stun Edouard Mendy‘s Chelsea 2-1.

The Burkina Faso international broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute after both sides had struggled to hit the back of the net.

The Blues then suffered a blow in the 46th minute when Senegal international Mendy suffered an injury and was replaced. 

Anwar El-Ghazi then doubled the lead which was enough to seal the victory for Dean Smith's men despite a strike from Ben Chilwell.

Riyad Mahrez and Alex Iwobi were on parade as Manchester City demolished Everton 5-0 at Etihad Stadium.

The Algeria international set up Kevin De Bruyne to open the scoring in the 11th minute and played for 65 minutes before he was replaced by Sergio Aguero.

Iwobi made a second-half appearance in the encounter after he was brought on for Abdoulaye Doucoure moments before the hour mark.

The Nigeria international was not involved in the Toffees’ victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers last time out.

While Mahrez ended the campaign with 14 goals and nine assists, Iwobi scored twice and set up three others in 36 appearances across all competitions.

Bertrand Traore has set a Chelsea record having found the net in Aston Villa’s 2-1 victory over the Stamford Bridge giants on Sunday evening.

The Burkina Faso international became the 25th different player to score a Premier League goal against the Blues having previously represented them in the tournament.

In the last game of the 2020-21 campaign staged at Villa Park, Traore gave Dean Smith’s men a first-half lead thanks to his 43rd-minute effort.

The former Chelsea man was unmarked as he directed Matt Targett's low corner kick into the box. Although he scuffed his first-time shot into the ground, it looped over the dive of Edouard Mendy and sailed in off the crossbar.  
That is his seventh goal in 36 Premier League games since joining the Birmingham-based outfit from Olympique Lyon on September 19, 2020, for an undisclosed fee.

With that, no team has had more former players score against the Blues and Tottenham Hotspur in the history of the English top flight.

Also, the 25-year-old had a hand in the hosts’ second goal of the evening having been tripped by Jorginho in the box as referee Stuart Attwell pointed to the penalty spot.

Anwar El-Ghazi stepped up and calmly sent Kepa Arrizabalaga the wrong way to give the Lions a two-goal lead.

In the 70th minute, Ben Chilwell reduced the deficit for Thomas Tuchel’s men courtesy of an assist from Christian Pulisic.

After an impressive shift, Traore was substituted for England youth international of Nigerian descent Carney Chukwuemeka in the 73rd minute.

“It is normally hard to create chances and score against Aston Villa, but we created a lot of chances, a lot of half-chances, many, many deliveries,” Tuchel told Chelsea website after the game.

“It was the story of the season. We needed many clean sheets to overcome this lack of composure and precision.

“We conceded two goals from set-pieces out of nothing and made it hard to come back, but we even then we had enough chances to come back.”

Even at the defeat, Chelsea secured Champions League football next season while Villa finished 11th, to sign off an impressive season in style.

Leicester manager Brendan Rodgers says it is a “huge disappointment” for his side that they failed to reach the Champions League next season.

The Foxes had a top-four spot in their hands but lost successive matches against Chelsea and Tottenham.

Indeed, Leicester would have finished in the top four had they overcome Spurs at home on the final day, but they suffered a 4-2 loss, having twice led through Jamie Vardy penalties.

What was said?

Speaking to the BBC, Rodgers said: "It's hugely disappointing for us. We fought so hard all season. I always said you’re judged after 38 games and unfortunately we couldn’t quite make it.

"I have nothing but pride and admiration for the players. They've constantly had things go against them with injuries. If you look at the importance of the players out today, we were able to take it down to the last game and the last 15 minutes.

"The biggest factor [in losing Wesley Fofana] is we lose that extra height and prescence in set-piece moments. Usually we have Jonny [Evans] and Wesley, good presence and we conceded from two set-pieces.

"I said to the players before the game we’ve been playing non-stop - except for 21 days - for two years. When we started work together we were mid-table and just over two years later we’re challenging the elite and won the FA Cup for the first time in our history and we’re on the right path without the resources [of other teams].

"I have nothing but pride. The ownership have given me amazing support. The players have given me their heart and souls every day. I’m so disappointed for them we couldn't get over the line.

"The fans pushed us through in the FA Cup final. It's brilliant to have them back in again and sorry we couldn’t get over the line. We’ll prepare even harder for next season.

"I’ve always said the other scores are not relevant. You have to look after your own score and unfortunately we couldn't.

"We need a period to go away and recover and relax a little bit. Premier League management is intense. We have work to do to improve the squad and come back early July motivated."

Further Reading