PSG Dominates, Liverpool Scores Late Champions League Winner/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Paris Saint-Germain, Bayern Munich, Inter Milan, and Liverpool all opened their Champions League campaigns with strong results. PSG cruised to a 4-0 win, while Liverpool secured another dramatic late victory. Meanwhile, newcomers Bodo/Glimt and Pafos earned hard-fought draws on the road.
Champions League Matchday 1 – Quick Looks
- PSG dominates Atalanta 4-0, with goals from Mendes and Kvaratskhelia.
- Liverpool wins 3-2 vs Atletico Madrid, Van Dijk scores in stoppage time.
- Bayern defeats Chelsea 3-1, with Harry Kane scoring twice.
- Inter Milan beats Ajax 2-0, Thuram scores two headers.
- Bodo/Glimt rallies for 2-2 draw at Slavia Prague.
- Pafos holds Olympiakos 0-0, despite going down to 10 men.
- Three Champions League debutants remain unbeaten after away games.
- Juventus draws 4-4 with Dortmund, Real Madrid wins 2-1 with 10 men.
- Ballon d’Or buzz continues in Paris, with PSG stars in contention.
Deep Look
Champions League Matchday 1: PSG, Liverpool, Bayern, and Inter Start Strong as Newcomers Impress
The 2025-26 UEFA Champions League kicked off with a compelling mix of dominance, drama, and debut brilliance as European powerhouses like Paris Saint-Germain and Liverpool made bold statements, while newcomers Bodo/Glimt and Pafos showed they belong on the continental stage.
PSG’s Dominant Display Sets the Tone
Reigning Champions League titleholder Paris Saint-Germain began its defense with a commanding 4-0 victory over Atalanta at Parc des Princes. Coach Luis Enrique praised the performance, calling it “a joy to see” as the Parisians overwhelmed the Italian side, now adjusting to life without former coach Gian Piero Gasperini.
Despite a missed penalty from Bradley Barcola, PSG controlled the match with relentless attacking. Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi were constant threats down the flanks, with Mendes netting in the 51st minute. The highlight came from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, whose mesmerizing solo run ended in a stunning rising shot just before halftime.
Liverpool’s Late Magic Continues
Liverpool added another dramatic chapter to its season with a 3-2 win over Atletico Madrid at Anfield. The Reds raced to a 2-0 lead within six minutes through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. However, Atletico fought back with goals from Marcos Llorente—one deep into first-half stoppage and another in the 81st minute—drawing level.
In true Liverpool fashion, the winner came in stoppage time. Captain Virgil van Dijk rose above the defense to meet a corner from Dominik Szoboszlai, nodding it into the net to seal victory. Manager Arne Slot acknowledged the nervy ending, admitting, “We should have made it easier for ourselves.”
The victory continues Liverpool’s trend of scoring late winners; they’ve now claimed all their Premier League wins this season with goals after the 80th minute.
Bayern and Inter Get Revenge in Historic Rematches
Bayern Munich dispatched Chelsea 3-1 in a rematch of their iconic 2012 final, which Chelsea famously won on Bayern’s home turf. Harry Kane led the way with two goals, while Cole Palmer provided a bright moment for the visitors with a stylish strike.
Inter Milan mirrored Bayern’s revenge narrative with a 2-0 win at Ajax. Marcus Thuram’s aerial dominance was on full display as he headed home twice, echoing Inter’s historic clashes with Ajax in the 1970s.
Debutants Hold Their Own
This season features four Champions League debutants, and three have already made their mark with unbeaten starts. On Tuesday, Union Saint-Gilloise stunned PSV Eindhoven with a 3-1 away win. On Wednesday, Norway’s Bodo/Glimt and Cyprus’ Pafos both fought for impressive results.
Bodo/Glimt trailed 2-0 at Slavia Prague after missing a penalty but rallied with two late goals. A thunderous volley from substitute Sondre Brunstad Fet struck the crossbar and bounced over the line in the 90th minute to level the score. Goalkeeper Nikita Haikin then ensured the point with a key save in stoppage time.
Pafos battled for a gritty 0-0 draw at Olympiakos despite playing with 10 men from the 26th minute after Bruno Felipe received a second yellow card. The Cypriot side also lost veteran defender David Luiz to injury after just 33 minutes. Pafos is the first Cypriot team in the Champions League main phase since 2017.
Kairat Almaty, the fourth debutant, faces Sporting Lisbon on Thursday after a 7,000-kilometer journey from Kazakhstan—a logistical challenge for players and fans alike.
Ballon d’Or Anticipation in Paris
As the Ballon d’Or ceremony approaches in Paris, PSG is advocating for injured winger Ousmane Dembélé, though defenders Nuno Mendes and Achraf Hakimi have also bolstered their cases with standout performances. Monday’s awards could keep the golden trophy in the French capital.
Looking Ahead: More to Come
Matchday 1 of the expanded Champions League format stretches into a third day, with Thursday’s six remaining games wrapping up the opening round. Headliners include Manchester City vs Napoli, with Kevin De Bruyne set to return, and Barcelona visiting Newcastle without star winger Lamine Yamal.
Tuesday’s standout fixture—a 4-4 thriller between Juventus and Borussia Dortmund—set the tone for a goal-heavy opening week, while 10-man Real Madrid secured a 2-1 comeback win over Marseille thanks to two penalties from Kylian Mbappé.
With new clubs thriving, old giants asserting their dominance, and drama unfolding across the continent, the 2025-26 Champions League campaign is already living up to its storied legacy.
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