...to The Tap-Inn.

Ah 2025. It’s been a hell of a ride. Pull up a stool one last time as we take a look back at the biggest moments of the year in this bumper edition of The Tap-Inn.

This week:

Grab yourself a beverage and let’s tap in.

2025 belonged to first-timers and long-timers with underdogs finally getting their moment in the limelight. Here’s The Tap-Inn’s 10 biggest moments, as we look back at the year that was:

1. PSG win their first-ever Champions League 🇪🇺

Since the arrival of Qatar Sports Investments as owners in 2011, PSG have invested heavily in world-class players like Messi, Neymar and Mbappé (the latter two being the most expensive transfers in soccer history) all with the intention of lifting the European Cup. This year, they realised that dream with a record 5-0 win over Inter Milan in the final.

2. Crystal Palace shock Man City to win the FA Cup 🦅

A Wembley classic. Palace pulled off a famous upset to win the first major trophy in their history. Eberechi Eze may be an Arsenal player today, but he’ll be a Palace legend forever with his single goal making the difference in the final.

3. Chelsea win the FIFA Club World Cup 🌎

Chelsea conquered the new-look global tournament, defeating PSG 3-0 in the final to be crowned world champions and earning themselves $114.6 million in prize money.

4. Liverpool win the Premier League 🏆

Liverpool won the Premier League (their first since 2019/20) drawing level with Manchester United on 20 league titles and reigniting the debate over England’s most successful club.

5. Newcastle United end their trophy drought 🐧

The Magpies ended their 56-year trophy drought by lifting the English Football (Soccer) League Cup after defeating Liverpool 2-1.

6. THAT Troy Parrott Hat-Trick for Ireland vs Hungary 🇮🇪

Is this just here because of my Irish ancestory? Probably. Nevertheless, a 96th-minute hat-trick goal from Parrott sealed a famous come-from-behind 3-2 victory for Ireland. The win keeps their World Cup hopes alive by guaranteeing them a playoff game in March against Czechia.

7. Scott McTominay named Serie A MVP 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

From squad player at Man United in England to league champ with Napoli in Italy — McTominay dominated Italian soccer and took home Serie A’s top individual honour in a wildly unexpected career story arc.

8. Ousmane Dembélé wins the Ballon d’Or ⚽️

After years of “what ifs” and being booed off the field at Barcelona, Dembélé put it all together and was crowned the world’s best player — another one of 2025’s great redemption stories.

9. Curaçao qualify for the World Cup 🇨🇼

One of the most uplifting stories of the year was Curaçao booking their place at the World Cup, rewriting the soccer history books as they became the smallest nation ever to qualify with a population of just over 150,000.

10. Tottenham Hotspur win the Europa League ⚪️

The drab final was decided by a Man United own goal as Spurs finally actually won a trophy with Ange Postecoglou delivering on his promise of always winning silverware in his second season.

Doing the rounds at The Tap-Inn over the past weekend was a viral online rumour that Christian Pulisic is dating Hollywood star Sydney Sweeney.

“The blonde bombshell from Euphoria?? With our Chris??”

Yes. Well actually… no. Pulisic put the gossip to bed pretty quickly after scoring for AC Milan against Verona last night — he celebrated by forming an “A” with his hands, a nod to his long-term girlfriend, pro golfer Alexa Melton.

Case closed.

In Winter 1963, an FA Cup game between Norwich and Blackpool was postponed ELEVEN times due to a frozen field. In an attempt to defrost the field and finally get the game played, it was treated with:

A) Hot water

B) Flamethrowers

C) Fans walking accross the field

Some fun facts for Wolves fans this Monday as we reflect on their season so far:

If someone sees manager Rob Edwards anytime soon, please send him my way. Next round’s on me, bro.

🏟️ Where is the AFCON final being held?

The AFCON final on January 18th will be at Rabat’s Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium — a brand-new 69,500-seater that only opened in September 2025. Tasty stuff.

Answer: B) Flamethrowers. Yes reader, you read that correctly.

It ended up being a complete fail though — as soon as the ice melted it refroze again immediately after. Nowadays, we have heated fields to keep the snow away in the winter. And that’s why you can’t bring a flamethrower to a game in England anymore. Probably.

Thanks for stopping by The Tap-Inn.

If you enjoyed this, forward it to that friend who knows nothing about soccer and help spread the good word.

I’ll be behind the bar every week, Monday and Friday, serving up soccer. Sláinte.

— Joe