AFCON 2025
The UEFA Champions League matchday 1 concluded with 6 more exciting matches to cap off an amazing opening round of European football. Benfica got the day rolling with a 2-1 win over Crvena Zvezda.
Bayer Leverkusen got their campaign underway with a 4-0 win over Eredivisie side Feyenoord, thanks to a brace from star man Florian Wirtz, Alex Grimaldo, and an own-goal.
The biggest game of the night saw Arsenal travel to Italy to face last year’s Europa League winners Atalanta. The game failed to live up to the hype with both sides playing out a goalless affair. The hosts missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring when 25-year-old Mateo Retegui missed a first-half penalty.
Elsewhere Atletico Madrid came back from a goal down to beat Leipzig 2-1 at the Wanda Metrpolitano and Brest defeated Sturm Graz 2-1 in their first ever Champions League game.
Finally, Barcelona lost 2-1 to Monaco in the night’s most eventful game. Eric Garcia saw red after just 13 minutes leaving Hansi Flick’s side to contest the next 80 minutes with 10 men. Monaco opened the scoring through midfielder Maghnes Akliouche before teenage superstar Lamine Yamal equalised for the visitors.
Flick’s men defended resolutely but ultimately conceded in the 71st minute to Nigeria-eligible star George Ilenikhena.
