The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League kicked off with thrilling matches, surprise wins, and standout performances. Here’s a breakdown of the action:
Tuesday Night’s Action
- Aston Villa 3, Young Boys 0: Villa returned to the European Cup after 41 years, dominating in Bern.
- Juventus 3, PSV Eindhoven 1: Juventus opened with an emphatic win, thanks to Kenan Yıldız’s inaugural goal.
- Liverpool 3, AC Milan 1: Liverpool recovered from an early deficit, with Ryan Gravenberch earning Player of the Match.
- Bayern München 9, GNK Dinamo 2: Harry Kane scored four, breaking Wayne Rooney’s English goalscoring record.
- Real Madrid 3, Stuttgart 1: Real Madrid began their title defense with a win, thanks to Thibaut Courtois’s heroics.
- Sporting CP 2, Lille 0: Sporting secured victory over ten-man Lille.
Wednesday Night’s Action
- Sparta Praha 3, Salzburg 0: Sparta dominated in their first Champions League match in 19 years.
- Bologna 0, Shakhtar Donetsk 0: The teams played to a goalless draw.
- Celtic 5, Slovan Bratislava 1: Celtic achieved their biggest Champions League win.
- Borussia Dortmund 3, Club Brugge 0: Jamie Gittens shone with two goals.
- Manchester City 0, Inter 0: The rematch of the 2023 final ended in stalemate.
- Paris 1, Girona 0: A late own goal sealed Paris’s win.
Thursday Night’s Action
- Monaco 2, Barcelona 1: Monaco marked their Champions League return with victory.
- Atalanta 0, Arsenal 0: David Raya’s double save earned Arsenal a draw.
- Atlético de Madrid 2, Leipzig 1: José María Giménez scored a 90th-minute winner.
- Leverkusen 4, Feyenoord 0: Florian Wirtz made history with two goals on debut.
- Benfica 2, Crvena Zvezda 1: Orkun Kökçü’s free-kick sealed Benfica’s win.
- Brest 2, Sturm Graz 1: Abdallah Sima starred in Brest’s debut win.
The 2024/25 UEFA Champions League has kicked off in spectacular fashion, with thrilling comebacks, record-breaking wins, and standout performances. Matchday 1 has set the stage for an unpredictable and captivating campaign. As the competition heats up, teams will look to build momentum and secure their spot in the knockout stages. The Champions League is back, and it’s shaping up to be an unforgettable season. Take a look at the table after Matchday 1.
