The Champions League matchday three threw up some surprise results and some big wins as we reach the halfway point of the group stages. Here are five takeaways from Tuesday and Wednesday’s ties.
Champions League Matchday Three: Five Takeaways
Important Win for Manchester City in Belgium
Manchester City headed into their third group game with one win and one loss and were tasked with facing a tricky Club Brugge side that had already drawn with Paris Saint-Germain and won against RB Leipzig.
Despite that, Pep Guardiola’s side came out the blocks quickly but still had to wait until the 30 minute mark before Joao Cancelo opened the scoring.
Riyad Mahrez netted from the penalty spot before the break and Kyle Walker scored his first-ever Champions League goal after the restart as the result looked beyond doubt.
Substitute Cole Palmer became City’s third teenager to score in the competition by adding a fourth before Brugge pulled one goal back. However, City restored their four goal advantage as Mahrez netted a second.
The result leaves City on six points from three games, one point behind leaders PSG.
Messi Magic Against Leipzig
Having stole the show against Manchester City on matchday two, Lionel Messi was at it again PSG came from behind to beat RB Leipzig.
Kylian Mbappe gave the hosts an early lead but the visitors levelled before the break through Andre Silva and took a second half lead through Nordi Mukiele.
However, a defensive error allowed Messi the chance to level the match for a second time, which he did, before he was presented an opportunity from 12 yards after Mbappe was fouled in the box. The outcome was never in doubt as the Argentine successfully converted with a cheeky Panenka.
PSG are one point above Manchester City while Leipzig are bottom, having lost all three group games.
Liverpool Enjoy Winning Return in Madrid
A return to the Wanda Metropolitano Stadium for Liverpool was always going to be an exciting affair, with the Reds having lifted the Champions League trophy in 2019 at the same venue.
Another memorable night looked on the cards as Jurgen Klopp’s men raced into a two-goal lead inside 13 minutes through Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita.
However, the hosts levelled the match with a quickfire double themselves through Antoine Griezmann, but the Frenchman would quickly turn from hero to villain after he received a red card just seven minutes into the second half for a challenge on Roberto Firmino.
Liverpool made the man advantage count but could only settle the tie from the penalty spot after Mario Hermoso bundled over Diogo Jota before Salah calmly slotted home from 12 yards.
The Reds remain top of the group with three wins from three while Atletico, who suffered just a seventh loss in their new stadium, find themselves level on four points with Porto.
Comeback Complete as Manchester United Win Against Atalanta
Manchester United‘s recent form has been somewhat patchy, so to go two goals down inside half an hour at home to Atalanta in their Champions League matchday three tie was raising alarm bells.
However, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer revitalised his team at the break and the Red Devils came out looking for something to prove. Marcus Rashford, who struck the bar in the first half, reduced the deficit just eight minutes after the restart before Scott McTominay hit the post.
However, Manchester United did level the match through Harry Maguire before Cristiano Ronaldo headed home a late winner.
Solskjaer’s side move above the Italian outfit and top the group with six points with Atalanta and Villarreal sitting on four points each.
Differing Results for Bundesliga’s Top Two
Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund both headed into this Champions League matchday three with two wins from their opening two group games. However, the German giants had differing results.
On Tuesday, BVB headed to Holland to face Ajax, with both sides recording 100 per cent records in the competition so far. However, the Dutch club put on a masterclass and ran out 4-0 winners.
It was the same scoreline for the Bavarians but they hit four past Benfica in Portugal. However, the result may be somewhat flattering, with the German club netting all four goals within the final 20 minutes of the match.
Main Photo
