The Champions League action in Gameweek 1 continued to entertain fans on the third and final day, with six matches taking place on Thursday. It was a night filled with excitement, drama, and plenty of goals as teams battled it out on the European stage.
Arsenal, the fourth English team to kick off their European campaign, ended up with a draw against Atalanta. However, the real fireworks were happening across the continent, with some big teams showcasing their attacking prowess.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the standout matches from the Champions League action on this thrilling night of football.
Feyenoord 0-4 Bayer Leverkusen
Bayer Leverkusen put on a clinic at Feyenoord, securing a dominant 4-0 victory. Florian Witz was the star of the show, scoring a brace in the first half to set the tone for his team.
A solid start. Together. 🖤❤️ pic.twitter.com/DenehzeS81
— Bayer 04 Leverkusen (@bayer04_en) September 19, 2024
Full-back Alejandro Grimaldo also got on the scoresheet with a close-range finish, while an own goal from Feyenoord goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther added to the misery for the home side. Xabi Alonso’s men walked away from the Netherlands with a convincing win under their belts.
Red Star Belgrade 1-2 Benfica
Benfica faced a tough test in Belgrade but managed to come out on top with a 2-1 victory over Red Star. Kerem Akturkoglu opened the scoring early on, giving the visitors a perfect start.
📸 First #UCL night of the season! ✨#FKCZSLB pic.twitter.com/O76ER9pf4b
— SL Benfica (@slbenfica_en) September 19, 2024
Okrun Kokcu doubled Benfica’s lead with a stunning long-range strike, putting them in a commanding position. Although Red Star managed to pull one back through Milson late in the game, they couldn’t find the equalizer against their Portuguese opponents.
Atletico Madrid 2-1 RB Leipzig
Atletico Madrid narrowly edged out RB Leipzig with a late 2-1 victory, thanks to a 90th-minute winner. Benjamin Sesko’s early goal put Leipzig in front, but Antoine Griezmann equalized for Atletico to set up a tense finish.
❤️🤍💪 pic.twitter.com/ba7aaaX349
— Atlético de Madrid (@atletienglish) September 19, 2024
Just when it seemed like the match would end in a draw, Jose Gimenez popped up at the back post to score the decisive goal for Simeone’s side. Leipzig gave a strong performance, but it was Atletico who emerged victorious in the end.
Brest 2-1 Sturm Graz
Brest secured a 2-1 win against Sturm Graz in France, with Hugo Magnetti and Abdallah Sima both finding the back of the net for the home side. Sturm Graz equalized through an Edmilson Fernandes own goal but couldn’t hold on for a point.
Things went from bad to worse for the visitors as Dimitri Lavalee was sent off late in the game, compounding their misery.
Monaco 2-1 Barcelona
Full Time.#MonacoBarça | @ChampionsLeague pic.twitter.com/nyxW3e32Wg
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 19, 2024
Monaco pulled off a stunning upset by defeating Barcelona 2-1 at home. Eric Garcia’s early red card set the tone for the match, with Monaco taking advantage and dominating proceedings.
Maghnes Akliouche opened the scoring before Lamine Yamal equalized for Barcelona. George Ilenikhena then found the winner for Monaco, sealing a memorable victory against the odds.
Conclusion:
The Champions League never fails to deliver excitement, drama, and moments of brilliance. With teams from across Europe battling it out for glory, each match brings its own share of thrills and spills. From big wins to last-minute goals, the tournament showcases the best of football on the continental stage.
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