Belgian assist, gem of old acquaintances and spectacular final phases: this is what you missed from this CL evening
What was that all about? The Champions League did not disappoint again tonight. The highlights of Manchester City and Real Madrid in particular will remain in the collective memory, but much more happened on all fields. Experience all the action below.
UEFA Champions League
Sporting CP
Manchester City
The surprise of this evening was Sporting, who gave Manchester City the reddish cheeks. Phil Foden scored the lightning opening goal after five minutes, but then Ruben Amorim’s team made it 4-1. To make matters worse, Haaland also missed a penalty.
UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid
AC Milan
But the surprises didn’t stop there. Real Madrid also failed to put together a remontada against AC Milan this time. On the contrary, in the first half they already fell behind twice – despite a penalty goal from Vinicius. And after halftime, a brilliant Tijjani Reijnders sealed the fate of De Koninklijke, which is sinking further and further in the rankings.
UEFA Champions League
A less major stunt, but still a striking result: Juventus did not get past Lille OSC. Old acquaintance Jonathan David (ex-Ghent) scored the lead for the home team with a real striker’s goal in the first half, but Vlahovic limited the damage from the spot in the second half.
UEFA Champions League
Celtic
RB Leipzig
No new victory for Loïs Openda’s RB Leipzig. The Red Devil took the lead against Celtic through Baumgartner, but the home team then took on the “Real Madrid” role. With captain Kuhn in a leading role, it ensured a resounding comeback at home: 3-1.
UEFA Champions League
Liverpool
Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Liverpool against Bayer 04 Leverkusen was also known as a huge hit, but it took a long time to wait for concrete danger after a game of chess. On the hour mark, Luis Diaz scored the opening goal, but that was it. The Colombian scored himself a hat-trick and Gakpo also scored: 4-0.
UEFA Champions League
Borussia Dortmund
Storm Graz
Borussia Dortmund against Sturm Graz looked like The Great Nothing for a long time, but after defensive errors by the visiting team, Malen finally broke the spell in the 85th minute: 1-0. Nothing more, nothing less.
UEFA Champions League
Bologna
AS Monaco
A similar scenario played out in the mediocre match between Bologna and AS Monaco. Only in the 86th minute did Kehrer appear in the right place after a corner kick to make it 0-1.
UEFA Champions League
PSV
Girona FC
PSV once again proved to be unbeatable at home. With Johan Bakayoko and Matteo Dams in the starting line-up, the Dutch home team took a comfortable 2-0 lead before half-time.
Bakayoko also proved to be invaluable in the attractive final phase with an absolute gem. Girona had to leave the field with embarrassment after (again) an own goal: 4-0.
UEFA Champions League
Slavic Bratislava
Dinamo Zagreb
The goal mill was also running at full speed in Bratislava. After the home team – with compatriot Siemen Voet at the kick-off – surprisingly took the lead, Dinamo Zagreb attacked mercilessly. The score ended up being 1-4 after a one-sided match.
END
What was that all about? The Champions League did not disappoint again tonight. The clear defeats of Manchester City and Real Madrid in particular will remain in the collective memory, but much more happened on all fields. Experience all the action below.
Hattrich for Luis Diaz: 4-0
He shouldn’t even look at the ball. After a sharp counter, Luis Diaz scores himself another hat-trick during Liverpool’s thrilling second half. After Nunez saw his shot blocked, his striker brother scored the final score against Bayer Leverkusen with a no-look goal: 4-0.
Ultimate moment Monaco: 0-1
Monaco also only does it in the absolute final phase. Thilo Kehrer reacts well to an extended corner kick and scores the 0-1.
Real Madrid also keeps swearing. Rudiger seems to take credit for the tying goal, but the referee has (indirectly) noticed offside. Not 2-3.
Liberation for Dortmund: 1-0
Dortmund against Sturm Graz looked like The Great Nothing for a long time, but after defensive errors by the visiting team, Malen finally broke the spell in the 85th minute: 1-0.
Liverpool also makes its superiority clear in the end. It is once again Diaz who manages to keep a strong hold on a cross to accurately push the 3-0 over the line.
Painful evening for City: 4-1
What a disappointment for Manchester City. After a slight contact from Nunes, the referee points to the spot again. Once again Gyokeres takes responsibility and again he drives the ball into the goal – albeit this time in the other corner. Even Guardiola seems to have lost track for a moment: 4-1.
Real far away from remontada: 1-3
A new remontada of Real Madrid seems increasingly distant. After a sharp and technically gifted combination between Leao and Reijnders, the latter delivers the death blow to Real Madrid: 1-3
Celtic on roses: 3-1
Arne Engels has already been substituted, but Celtic seem to be in complete control against RB Leipzig. After a mistake by goalkeeper Gulacsi, Reo Hatate gets a free goal: 3-1.
Penalty miss Haaland!
Things are going from bad to worse for City. After Bernardo Silva saw his shot fly against his opponent’s arm, the referee points to the spot. Haaland thus gets the ultimate chance to score the tying goal, but the City striker hits the crossbar very hard.
Juventus is also alive again. From the spot, Vlahovic puts his team back on level terms with Lille: 1-1.
Finally Liverpool: 1-0 and 2-0
A sigh of relief at Anfield: finally. Liverpool had to wait an hour for it, but Luis Diaz finally broke the ban against Bayer Leverkusen. He makes it 1-0 with a lovely lob. Barely a minute later, Gakpo doubled the lead.
Double uppercut for City: 3-1!
Suddenly things are moving very quickly for Sporting against City. After another sharp counterattack, Gvardiol simply knocks over his opponent in the large rectangle. The ball goes on the spot. A piece of cake for price shooter Gyokeres: suddenly it is 3-1.
Belgium
