The Champions League proper got underway on Tuesday, and it sure didn’t disappoint. There really was something for everyone, from upsets to very-nearly-upsets to not-at-all-upsets. Let’s hope the excitement continues when the action resumes at the same time Wednesday.
Champions League scores: Olympiacos, Monaco both pick up shock victories
Olympiacos and Monaco both recorded surprise victories as the Champions League group stages got underway on Tuesday.
Group A
Olympiacos 3-2 Atlético Madrid
In the biggest shock of the day, Greek champions Olympiacos maximized their home advantage to see off last season's Champions League finalists, 3-2. Goals from Arthur Masuaku, Ibrahim Afellay and Kostas Mitroglou cancelled out replies from Atléti summer signings Mario Mandžukić and Antoine Griezmann.
Juventus 2-0 Malmö / Full match report here
Juventus were dominant in their match at home against Swedish champions Malmö, though they relied on a second half brace from Carlos Tévez to kick off their Champions League campaign with a win.
Group B
Liverpool 2-1 Ludogorets / Full match report here
In an end-to-end game at Anfield, Liverpool took the lead against Bulgarian minnows Ludogorets through Mario Balotelli in the 83rd minute, and seemed to have the game wrapped up. However, Ludogorets equalized through Dani Abalo in the dying moments of the game, only for Steven Gerrard to net a last-gasp penalty to snatch the victory.
Real Madrid 5-1 Basel / Full match report here
Real Madrid may be struggling in the league, but they showed no such weakness against Swiss champions Basel. Thanks to an own goal from Marek Suchý, and actual, real goals from Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodríguez and Karim Benzema, they recorded an emphatic 5-1 victory.
Group C
Monaco 1-0 Bayer Leverkusen
Ligue 1 club Monaco dusted off their domestic struggles to snatch a victory at home over German Champions League regulars Bayer Leverkusen. A goal from star midfielder João Moutinho just past the hour proved to be the winner, as coach Leonardo Jardim eased the pressure on his shoulders.
Benfica 0-2 Zenit St. Petersburg
When Zenit went 1-0 up through Hulk after five minutes, Benfica goalkeeper Artur Moraes was sent off after 18, and Axel Witsel added a second after 22, the hosts must have been fearing a mauling. However, they recovered and reorganized well with 10 men, and successfully kept their defeat respectable.
Group D
Galatasaray 1-1 Anderlecht
Turkish giants Galatasaray were nearly on the end of a big upset in Istanbul, with Belgian starlet Dennis Praet giving Anderlecht the lead early in the second half. However, Cesare Prandelli’s side snatched a 1-1 draw through a Burak Yılmaz goal in the last few minutes.
Arsenal never looked like challenging Borussia Dortmund at Signal Iduna Park, and had no response to goals from Ciro Immobile and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
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