In a Champions League match on Thursday, Barcelona suffered a 2-1 loss to Monaco, which marked the end of Spanish club’s flawless start to the season, as they played with 10 men after an early red card.
Elsewhere, Florian Wirtz made a stunning Champions League debut for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring twice in a commanding 4-0 victory over Feyenoord. Leverkusen’s impressive performance came just months after their sole defeat in an otherwise remarkable season, which saw them clinch the Bundesliga title and the German Cup.
Atalanta, the team responsible for Leverkusen’s Europa League final defeat in May, was held to a goalless draw by Arsenal at home, with a penalty being saved during the match.
In other fixtures, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-1 win against Leipzig, while Benfica emerged victorious over Red Star Belgrade with the same scoreline. Brest, making their European competition debut, celebrated a 2-1 triumph over Sturm Graz.
These matches were part of the third evening of the revamped Champions League format, which has replaced the traditional group stage.
The Champions League has undergone a change in format, with 36 teams now competing against eight different opponents until January. The teams are ranked in a single league table, which determines their progression to the knockout stage.
Despite his young age, Lamal has already achieved numerous scoring records for both Barcelona and Spain. He played a crucial role in Spain’s victory at the European Championship this summer, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history.
However, Lamal’s goal in the Champions League was not a record-breaking achievement for him. At 17 years old, he became the second-youngest scorer in the competition, narrowly missing out on the record held by his teammate Ansu Fati, who was 28 days younger when he scored his first Champions League goal in December 2019.
Lamal’s impressive 28th-minute equalizer showcased his skill and precision. After cutting inside from the left, he expertly placed the ball between two defenders, finding the bottom right corner of the net. His goal canceled out Maghnes Akliouche’s earlier opener for the opposing team.
Barcelona faced a challenging match after Eric Garcia, their defender, was sent off within the first 11 minutes of the game. Monaco capitalized on this advantage when George Ilenikhena, an 18-year-old forward, scored an impressive goal in the 71st minute.
The 21-year-old Writz maintained his goal-scoring streak on Thursday in Rotterdam. After Robert Andrich intercepted a misplaced Feyenoord pass, he played the ball through to Wirtz, who charged forward and struck the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Leverkusen increased their lead to two goals at the half-hour mark. Victor Boniface made an intelligent pass from the edge of the penalty area to Jeremie Frimpong on the right wing. Frimpong then delivered a cross that Alejandro Grimaldo slotted in at the far post.
Six minutes later, Wirtz volleyed in another cross from Frimpong to further extend Leverkusen’s lead.
Leverkusen hardly needed any help but it was given it on the stroke of halftime when a howler by Feyenoord’s German goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther saw him turn the ball over the line following Edmond Tapsoba’s header.
Antoine Griezmann, a seasoned player at 33 years old, stood out for Atletico despite the emphasis on youth. He scored in the Champions League for the 11th consecutive season and provided the assist for Jose Maria Gimenez’s dramatic headed winner. Leipzig had initially taken the lead through Benjamin Å eÅ¡ko in the fourth minute.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, proved to be their savior by making a double save from a penalty in the 51st minute, which was awarded after Thomas Partey fouled Ederson. Raya first denied Mateo Retegui’s spot kick, but the rebound fell back to the striker. However, Raya managed to claw Retegui’s header off the line in a scrambling effort.
Without the injured Martin Odegaard, their primary creative player, Arsenal found it challenging to create chances in attack. They relied on their characteristically resolute defense and Raya’s heroics to secure a point in Bergamo. In the upcoming round, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain at home.
Brest’s inaugural goal in European competition was netted by midfielder Hugo Magnetti at home, but not at their usual stadium.
Due to Brest’s stadium failing to meet UEFA’s standards, the club’s European home matches were played at Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou, situated approximately 114 kilometers (71 miles) away.
Brest achieved an impressive third-place finish in the French league last season. Sturm is making its first appearance in the Champions League proper in 24 years, following their successful campaign to end Salzburg’s decade-long dominance of the Austrian league.
Under the guidance of new coach Bruno Lage, Benfica secured their second consecutive victory, courtesy of goals from Turkish internationals Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Orkun Kokcu.
Kokcu’s goal was particularly impressive, as he skillfully curled a free kick into the top right corner from a distance of 25 yards. Felicio Milson managed to score a late goal for the home side.
Elsewhere, Florian Wirtz made a stunning Champions League debut for Bayer Leverkusen, scoring twice in a commanding 4-0 victory over Feyenoord. Leverkusen’s impressive performance came just months after their sole defeat in an otherwise remarkable season, which saw them clinch the Bundesliga title and the German Cup.
Atalanta, the team responsible for Leverkusen’s Europa League final defeat in May, was held to a goalless draw by Arsenal at home, with a penalty being saved during the match.
In other fixtures, Atletico Madrid secured a 2-1 win against Leipzig, while Benfica emerged victorious over Red Star Belgrade with the same scoreline. Brest, making their European competition debut, celebrated a 2-1 triumph over Sturm Graz.
These matches were part of the third evening of the revamped Champions League format, which has replaced the traditional group stage.
The Champions League has undergone a change in format, with 36 teams now competing against eight different opponents until January. The teams are ranked in a single league table, which determines their progression to the knockout stage.
Despite his young age, Lamal has already achieved numerous scoring records for both Barcelona and Spain. He played a crucial role in Spain’s victory at the European Championship this summer, becoming the youngest goalscorer in the tournament’s history.
However, Lamal’s goal in the Champions League was not a record-breaking achievement for him. At 17 years old, he became the second-youngest scorer in the competition, narrowly missing out on the record held by his teammate Ansu Fati, who was 28 days younger when he scored his first Champions League goal in December 2019.
Lamal’s impressive 28th-minute equalizer showcased his skill and precision. After cutting inside from the left, he expertly placed the ball between two defenders, finding the bottom right corner of the net. His goal canceled out Maghnes Akliouche’s earlier opener for the opposing team.
Barcelona faced a challenging match after Eric Garcia, their defender, was sent off within the first 11 minutes of the game. Monaco capitalized on this advantage when George Ilenikhena, an 18-year-old forward, scored an impressive goal in the 71st minute.
The 21-year-old Writz maintained his goal-scoring streak on Thursday in Rotterdam. After Robert Andrich intercepted a misplaced Feyenoord pass, he played the ball through to Wirtz, who charged forward and struck the ball into the bottom right corner of the net.
Leverkusen increased their lead to two goals at the half-hour mark. Victor Boniface made an intelligent pass from the edge of the penalty area to Jeremie Frimpong on the right wing. Frimpong then delivered a cross that Alejandro Grimaldo slotted in at the far post.
Six minutes later, Wirtz volleyed in another cross from Frimpong to further extend Leverkusen’s lead.
Leverkusen hardly needed any help but it was given it on the stroke of halftime when a howler by Feyenoord’s German goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther saw him turn the ball over the line following Edmond Tapsoba’s header.
Antoine Griezmann, a seasoned player at 33 years old, stood out for Atletico despite the emphasis on youth. He scored in the Champions League for the 11th consecutive season and provided the assist for Jose Maria Gimenez’s dramatic headed winner. Leipzig had initially taken the lead through Benjamin Å eÅ¡ko in the fourth minute.
Arsenal’s goalkeeper, David Raya, proved to be their savior by making a double save from a penalty in the 51st minute, which was awarded after Thomas Partey fouled Ederson. Raya first denied Mateo Retegui’s spot kick, but the rebound fell back to the striker. However, Raya managed to claw Retegui’s header off the line in a scrambling effort.
Without the injured Martin Odegaard, their primary creative player, Arsenal found it challenging to create chances in attack. They relied on their characteristically resolute defense and Raya’s heroics to secure a point in Bergamo. In the upcoming round, Arsenal will face Paris Saint-Germain at home.
Brest’s inaugural goal in European competition was netted by midfielder Hugo Magnetti at home, but not at their usual stadium.
Due to Brest’s stadium failing to meet UEFA’s standards, the club’s European home matches were played at Guingamp’s Stade de Roudourou, situated approximately 114 kilometers (71 miles) away.
Brest achieved an impressive third-place finish in the French league last season. Sturm is making its first appearance in the Champions League proper in 24 years, following their successful campaign to end Salzburg’s decade-long dominance of the Austrian league.
Under the guidance of new coach Bruno Lage, Benfica secured their second consecutive victory, courtesy of goals from Turkish internationals Kerem Aktürkoğlu and Orkun Kokcu.
Kokcu’s goal was particularly impressive, as he skillfully curled a free kick into the top right corner from a distance of 25 yards. Felicio Milson managed to score a late goal for the home side.
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