The Champions League served up more drama and goals on Wednesday as 19 strikes flew in across Europe, with defending champions Paris Saint-Germain cruising to victory while Liverpool once again left it late at Anfield.
Liverpool looked in control early against Atletico Madrid, racing to a two-goal lead inside six minutes through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah. But just like in 2020, Marcos Llorente punished the Reds again.
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The Spanish midfielder struck twice — first in first-half stoppage time and then in the 81st minute — to silence the home crowd and level the score.
Just when extra time loomed, Liverpool’s captain Virgil van Dijk rose highest in the second minute of stoppage time to head in the winner, sealing a 3-2 triumph and continuing his team’s remarkable run of late victories this season.
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In Paris, PSG brushed aside Atalanta 4-0 to begin their title defence in style.
Even a missed penalty from Bradley Barcola did little to trouble the French champions, who had far too much quality for their Italian visitors. Nigeria’s Ademola Lookman was conspicuously missing in action for the Italian side.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich claimed a statement win over Chelsea in a rematch of the 2012 final. England captain Harry Kane led the way with two goals in a 3-1 win, while his international teammate Cole Palmer grabbed a fine consolation strike for Chelsea.
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For Bayern, the victory was a measure of belated revenge for that painful defeat on home soil 13 years ago.
In Amsterdam, Inter Milan defeated Ajax 2-0. Marcus Thuram powered in two headers to seal the points for last year’s beaten finalist
Newcomers also made their mark. Norway’s champion Bodø/Glimt staged a thrilling late fightback at Slavia Prague, rallying from 2-0 down to snatch a 2-2 draw in the 90th minute.
The result ended Norway’s 18-year wait for representation at this stage of the competition.
Cypriot debutants Pafos also earned respect with a gritty 0-0 draw away to Olympiakos despite playing with 10 men from the 26th minute after Brazilian midfielder Bruno Felipe was sent off.
READ ALSO: UCL Roundup: Mbappe double lifts Madrid as Juve, Dortmund battle in eight-goal thriller
Pafos became the first Cypriot club to reach the group phase since 2017.
With the new league-phase format in full swing, Matchday 1 has already provided a mix of late goals, historic reminders, and bold newcomers refusing to be overwhelmed.
The last set of Matchday 1 fixtures will be played on Thursday.
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