AFCON 2025
Erling Haaland struck twice as Manchester City beat FC Porto 2-0 away from home in the opening night of the 2026-27 Champions League. The Norwegian striker marked his 59th goal in 59 matches in the competition in a brilliant display on Tuesday night.
Haaland had been frustrated for long spells by Porto goalkeeper Diogo Costa, denied on multiple occasions in the first half, before finally breaking through in the 47th minute and adding a second in first-half stoppage time of the second half. The double took his career Champions League tally to 59 goals, moving him above German legend Thomas Müller into seventh on the competition’s all-time scoring list.
Real Madrid started brightly at home to Inter Milan, with Kylian Mbappé opening the scoring before a defensive mix-up from goalkeeper Josep Martínez handed Los Blancos a second just nine minutes later. Inter pulled one back through Carlos Augusto in the 77th minute and pushed hard for an equaliser, but Real Madrid held on to claim the win.
Real Betis produced the night’s biggest comeback, coming from behind to beat Lille 3-2 thanks to a Marc Bartra brace and a second-half winner from Troy Parrott, overturning an early deficit set up by a Lille goal involving the Mbappé brothers.
Aston Villa eased past Club Brugge 3-2 at home, with goals from John McGinn, Emiliano Buendía and Nicolas Jackson in the first half proving decisive. McGinn’s opener also made him Villa’s all-time leading scorer in UEFA competitions with 12 goals.
AEK Athens claimed their first Champions League win in 20 years, edging past LASK 1-0 courtesy of a Răzvan Marin free-kick in the 21st minute.
Borussia Dortmund and Villarreal played out a goalless draw, the only stalemate among Tuesday’s fixtures as both sides struggled to break through.
The 2026-27 Champions League league phase continues on Wednesday, with Liverpool hosting reigning back-to-back champions Atlético Madrid headlining the day’s action.
