Champions League matchday 1 

The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase kicked off in spectacular fashion last night, with dramatic comebacks, debut victories, and a handful of headline performances as Europe’s best returned to action.

Juventus and Dortmund Play Out a 4-4 Classic

The standout fixture unfolded in Turin, where Juventus and Borussia Dortmund delivered an eight-goal thriller that ended 4-4. After a cagey opening, the second half exploded with scoring, and Dortmund appeared to have the match sealed with a two-goal lead in stoppage time. However, Dušan Vlahović rescued Juventus with a 94th-minute strike before Lloyd Kelly completed the comeback moments later, salvaging a point for the Italian side in one of the most dramatic nights of recent memory. Every goal of the match arrived in the second half, making for an unforgettable opening.

Real Madrid Fight Back with Ten Men

Over at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid had to overcome both an early strike from Marseille’s Timothy Weah and a second-half red card to Dani Carvajal. Kylian Mbappé twice converted from the penalty spot to secure a 2-1 win for Madrid, who registered their 200th victory in the competition. Xabi Alonso celebrated his Champions League debut as Madrid manager with three points, despite a first-half injury to Trent Alexander-Arnold.

Shock Wins for Qarabağ and Union Saint-Gilloise

Elsewhere, the night belonged to the underdogs. Qarabağ produced a stunning comeback in Lisbon, overturning a 2-0 deficit to defeat Benfica 3-2, thanks to a late Olexiy Kashchuk winner. Belgian champions Union Saint-Gilloise also celebrated their first-ever Champions League victory with an impressive 3-1 away win at PSV Eindhoven, with Promise David opening the scoring from the penalty spot.

Premier League Sides Shine

English clubs impressed on the road as Arsenal defeated Athletic Club 2-0 in Bilbao, with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard contributing a goal and an assist each. Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to Europe’s top club competition with a 1-0 victory over Villarreal, secured by a Luíz Júnior own goal in the opening minutes.

The opening night thrills set the scene for another unpredictable Champions League campaign, with more group stage matchups to come this week.

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