The 2025/2026 UEFA Champions League kicked off thrillingly, with dramatic comebacks, late goals, and shock results marking the opening night of Europe’s premier club competition.
From Real Madrid’s hard-fought win to Qarabağ’s stunning upset, Matchday 1 delivered excitement and set the tone for an unpredictable group stage.
The opening night of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League delivered high drama, late twists, and several surprising outcomes across Europe.
Real Madrid began their campaign with a hard-fought 2–1 victory over Olympique Marseille at the Santiago Bernabéu.
Timothy Weah put the French side ahead, but Kylian Mbappé responded with two penalties to secure the comeback.
The match was not without controversy, as Madrid finished with ten men after Dani Carvajal was shown a red card for a head-butt incident.
In Turin, fans witnessed a spectacular contest as Juventus and Borussia Dortmund shared the spoils in a remarkable 4–4 draw.
The second half produced a flurry of goals, with Dortmund seemingly in control at 4–2 deep into stoppage time.
Juventus, however, staged a dramatic late rally, scoring twice in added time to rescue a point in one of the most memorable group stage clashes in recent years.
Arsenal made a winning return to the Champions League, defeating Athletic Bilbao 2–0 away from home.
After a goalless first half, substitute Gabriel Martinelli broke the deadlock within seconds of coming on before setting up Leandro Trossard for the decisive second goal.
The result underlined Arsenal’s ambition to make a deep run in the competition.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur edged Villarreal 1–0 in London, with the decisive moment arriving early as Villarreal conceded an own goal.
Spurs managed the game effectively thereafter to claim three important points.
The night also produced major upsets. Qarabağ stunned Benfica with a 3–2 away victory in Lisbon, turning the match on its head after falling behind.
Meanwhile, Union Saint-Gilloise impressed with a 3–1 triumph over PSV Eindhoven, marking a strong start for the Belgian side.
Overall, Matchday 1 delivered a mix of expected triumphs and shock results, setting the stage for an unpredictable and fiercely competitive group stage.
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