The UEFA Champions League returned with a thrilling opening day, showcasing Europe’s elite teams and players. This season’s revamped format, featuring a league phase with 36 teams, promises even more excitement.
Champions League Kicks Off with a Bang
Juventus got the ball rolling with a 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven at the Allianz Stadium, thanks to goals from Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie, and Nicolas Gonzalez.
Meanwhile, Aston Villa made a stunning Champions League debut, thrashing Young Boys 3-0 away from home.
As the big guns took to the pitch for the traditional 8pm kickoffs, Liverpool bounced back from their shock weekend reverse at the hands of Nottingham Forest by beating AC Milan 3-1 at the San Siro. Virgil Van Dijk, Ibrahim Konate, and Dominik Szoboszlai scored for the Reds, canceling out Christian Pulisic’s opener.
Bayern Munich stole the show with a jaw-dropping 9-2 demolition of Dinamo Zagreb. Harry Kane bagged four goals, including three penalties, while Michael Olise chipped in with two. Real Madrid also impressed, defeating Stuttgart 3-1 courtesy of goals from Kylian Mbappe, Antonio Rudiger, and 18-year-old sensation Endrick.
Rounding out the opening day, Sporting comfortably dispatched 10-man Lille 2-0.
