The initial wave of UEFA Champions League matches concluded with star names across the board. With big clubs sailing and top players thriving, the premier club competition delivered more action.
However, not all popular clubs found the first day easy. Some clubs already find an uphill climb in this quick group stage in 2022/23.
Here are some of the biggest talking points from Tuesday’s Champions League fixture list.
UEFA Champions League opening matches
Borussia Dortmund 3 – Copenhagen 0
Dortmund dominated the visitors thanks to goals from Marco Reus, Raphael Guerreiro and Jude Bellingham. American Giovanni Reyna made his first start of the current campaign and did not disappoint. As a substitute in the first half, Reyna provided assists on Dortmund’s second and third goals. The German giants now have a couple of tough games with Leipzig ahead of a trip to Manchester City. Then, it is Revierderby’s return against Schalke.
Dinamo Zagreb 1 – Chelsea 0
This is the most impressive result of this young Champions season. The hosts achieved a great victory against one of the favorites in Group E. Mislav Orsic scored the only goal of the game in a quick counterattack inside the first half. Chelsea lost the game despite having 68% possession and taking 10 shots in total. Newcomer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his debut for the club. However, the Gabon international failed to make an impact and came off in the 59th minute.
Seville 0 – Manchester City 4
Unsurprisingly, Erling Haaland continued his incredible scoring streak as Manchester City ran all over the Spanish club. The Norwegian scored a brace on the night, with Phil Foden and Ruben Dias scoring the other two goals in the game. Haaland now has 12 goals in total in just seven games so far this season. City are hoping the new striker can help bring home their elusive Champions League medal. Haaland has scored an incredible 25 goals in just 20 UCL games in his short career so far.
PSG 2-Juventus 1
In possibly the most anticipated matchup of the day, Kylian Mbappe scored twice for the Parisians at home. The first of which came with a sumptuous lob from Neymar before the World Cup winner lobbed it into the back of the Juventus net.
A GOAL WORTH THUNDERING APPLAUSE FROM MBAPPE! 💥
BUT WHAT ABOUT THAT MAGISTERIAL ASSISTANCE FROM NEYMAR! 👑 pic.twitter.com/w7zGzFNb3k
— UCL at Paramount+ ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 6, 2022
American Weston McKennie scored Juventus’ only goal of the game with a stunning header. While the Italian club played much better in the second half, PSG controlled the pace for most of the opening period. In the end, the hosts held the lead in a battle between two of Europe’s biggest clubs.
RB Leipzig 1 – Shakhtar Donetsk 4
Another surprising result came in Germany, as Shakhtar Donetsk comfortably dispatched Leipzig en route. Goals by Marian Shved (double), Mykhailo Mudryk and substitute Lassina Traore upset die Roten Bullen. Leipzig goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi gifted the visitors with his first goal of the game. Despite leveling the score in the second half, Shakhtar regained the lead just 81 seconds later. After that, Mudryk and Traore led the way with two second-half counterattack goals.
Celtic 0 – Real Madrid 3
The main topic of conversation in this game is the first-half exit of star striker Karim Benzema. Despite losing the likely Ballon d’Or winner to an apparent knee injury, Real Madrid made easy work of the Scottish champions. Celtic started the match very promising. In fact, midfielder Callum McGregor hit the post within the first 25 minutes of the game. However, Madrid scored three goals in the second half to take all three points. Vinicius Junior, Luka Modric and the great Eden Hazard were the scorers of the night.
Eden Hazard scores his first UCL goal since an open game in 5 years. 👏 pic.twitter.com/tpwca3oaHt
— UCL at Paramount+ ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 6, 2022
This was the first time in almost five years that Hazard had scored in an open game in the UCL.
RB Salzburg 1 – AC Milan 1
The Italians were unable to maintain their momentum after the big win against rivals Inter Milan at the weekend. Noah Okafor opened the scoring of the night, when the Salzburg striker turned Pierre Kalulu around and scored from inside the area. However, Milan leveled the score just 12 minutes later. Alexis Saelemaekers scored the only goal for his team in the game with the help of Rafael Leao. USMNT defender Sergino Dest made his Milan debut as a second-half substitute.
Benfica 2 – Maccabi Haifa 0
The hosts dominated most of the match. However, they couldn’t find the first goal until the second half. Alex Grimaldo provided an assist to Rafa Silva for the Eagles to fly home. Grimaldo then took matters into his own hands by scoring the goal of the day in the entire UCL game. The Spaniard fired a fierce shot from outside the area straight into the top corner of the goal.
GRIMALDOOOOOOO BANGER! 🚀😱 pic.twitter.com/s4mRUFqyQv
— UCL at Paramount+ ⚽️ (@CBSSportsGolazo) September 6, 2022
PHOTO: IMAGO / Federico Pestellini / Panoramic
