The return of the Champions League has delivered on its promise of drama, goals, and historic moments right from the off. This week saw some fantastic results, with the standout fixtures providing a rollercoaster of emotions for fans across the continent.
The Big Stories
Real Madrid Begin with a Late Comeback: At the Santiago Bernabeu, Real Madrid had to dig deep to secure a 2-1 victory over Marseille. Despite playing with ten men after Dani Carvajal was sent off for a headbutt, two penalties from Kylian Mbappé sealed the win after the home side had initially gone behind. It was a gritty start to their campaign, showing a fighting spirit that will be vital as the season progresses.
Arsenal Make a Winning Start: Arsenal travelled to Athletic Bilbao and got their Champions League journey off to a perfect start with a solid 2-0 win. The victory was made possible by super-subs Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard, who both came on to score late goals. Mikel Arteta's tactical changes paid off, giving the Gunners a crucial three points on the road.
A Night of History and High Drama: Elsewhere, a few clubs marked historic moments with incredible wins. Union Saint-Gilloise secured their first-ever Champions League victory with a 3-1 win at PSV Eindhoven, and Qarabag also made history with a stunning 3-2 comeback victory against Benfica.
The Match of the Night: Juventus 4-4 Borussia Dortmund
The most electrifying match of the round took place in Turin, where Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a thrilling, end-to-end 4-4 draw. Dortmund led on four separate occasions, including a 4-2 lead in the final minutes of the game. However, a remarkable late surge from Juventus, with two stoppage-time goals including a last-gasp equaliser, saw them snatch an unlikely point in a truly chaotic and memorable encounter. It was a game that had everything and set a high bar for the group stage.
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