By Samaila Emmanuel
Bayern Munich kicked off the new Champions League season in style, thrashing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2. Harry Kane scored four goals, including three penalties, as Vincent Kompany’s side became the first team to score nine goals in a modern Champions League match.
Title holders Real Madrid and Liverpool also secured victories. Kylian Mbappe scored on his Champions League debut for Real, who edged VfB Stuttgart 3-1. Liverpool came from behind to beat AC Milan 3-1.
Action continues on Wednesday with Manchester City facing Inter Milan in a rematch of the 2023 final.
Aston Villa marked their return to the competition with a 3-0 win over Young Boys. Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1, while Sporting defeated Lille 2-0.
The Champions League’s new format features 36 teams in a single league, with the top eight advancing to the last 16. Teams finishing 9th-24th will enter a play-off round. Action continues on Wednesday with Manchester City facing Inter Milan in a rematch of the 2023 final.
Bayern’s impressive victory was highlighted by Michael Olise’s two goals on his Champions League debut, alongside strikes from Raphael Guerreiro, Leroy Sane, and Leon Goretzka. Dinamo Zagreb briefly threatened a comeback, scoring twice in two minutes after halftime through Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara. However, Bayern responded with six goals from the 57th minute onwards.
“It was an amazing game, a bit of a crazy game,” Kane told broadcaster DAZN. “It’s the first time I’ve scored three penalties in a game. That doesn’t happen at all really.”
Real Madrid’s win over Stuttgart was marked by Mbappe’s opening goal just after halftime. Stuttgart equalized through Deniz Undav, but Antonio Rudiger headed Real back in front, and Endrick sealed the victory in stoppage time.
“I know I can do more, each game I feel better, and now I’m scoring goals, and I’m happy here,” Mbappe told broadcaster Movistar.
Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Young Boys was their first Champions League match in 41 years. Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey scored in the first half, and Amadou Onana completed the victory late on.
Liverpool’s comeback win at AC Milan saw Christian Pulisic give Milan an early lead, but Ibrahima Konate equalized, and Virgil van Dijk headed Liverpool in front before halftime. Dominik Szoboszlai wrapped up the victory late on.
Aston Villa’s 3-0 win over Young Boys was their first Champions League match in 41 years. Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey scored in the first half, and Amadou Onana completed the victory late on.
Villa boss Unai Emery dedicated the win to former striker Gary Shaw, who passed away on Monday. “Forty-two years ago, they achieved winning the Champions League. We want to try and follow what that team achieved.”
Wednesday’s action features Manchester City facing Inter Milan in a rematch of the 2023 final, alongside other highly anticipated matches.
