AFCON 2025
The Champions League group stage delivered drama on Tuesday night, with late comebacks, shock upsets and debut heroics across Europe.
Juventus and Borussia Dortmund produced an eight-goal thriller in Turin, Qarabağ stunned Benfica in Lisbon, Tottenham edged Villarreal in North London, while Belgian newcomers Union Saint-Gilloise announced themselves with a famous win away at PSV.
Juventus 4–4 Borussia Dortmund
Turin witnessed one of the wildest games of the night as Juventus and Dortmund shared eight goals. After a goalless first half, the contest exploded into life with Dortmund racing ahead and even leading 4–2 deep into stoppage time, thanks to a Ramy Bensebaini penalty.
Just when the visitors thought they had sealed it, Juve staged a dramatic late comeback. Substitute Dušan Vlahović pulled one back before Lloyd Kelly struck at the death to salvage a thrilling 4–4 draw.
Benfica 2–3 Qaraba
In Lisbon, Qarabağ produced the shock of the round with a stunning comeback. Benfica had looked comfortable after going 2–0 up in the first half, but the Azerbaijani champions turned the tie on its head after the break. Oleksii Kashchuk grabbed the decisive winner in the 86th minute to complete an unlikely 3–2 victory, leaving the home fans stunned.
Tottenham 1–0 Villarreal
Tottenham made a winning start in North London, though their victory owed much to good fortune. Just four minutes in, Villarreal goalkeeper Luiz Junior fumbled a routine ball into his own net under pressure. From then on Spurs focused on solidity, soaking up Villarreal’s pressure and holding on to a narrow 1–0 win, secured as much by resilience as by attacking play.
PSV 1–3 Union Saint-Gilloise
Belgian debutants Union Saint-Gilloise made headlines in Eindhoven with a statement win over PSV. Promise David opened the scoring from the penalty spot, before Anouar Aït El Hadj doubled the lead with a brilliant solo run.
Kevin Mac Allister’s header made it 3–0 midway through the second half, and though Ruben van Bommel pulled one back late on, PSV were left ruing wasted chances in a 3–1 defeat.
