(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Champions League Highlights: PSG Dominates, Liverpool Wins Late Thriller
Paris Saint-Germain roared to a 4-0 victory over Atalanta on Wednesday as the Champions League group stage kicked off, while Liverpool snatched a dramatic stoppage-time win against Atletico Madrid.
Liverpool’s Last-Minute Heroics
Liverpool captain Virgil van Dijk scored a towering header in the second minute of stoppage time, securing a 3-2 victory over Atletico Madrid. The Reds had taken a two-goal lead early on through Andy Robertson and Mohamed Salah, only to see Marcos Llorente pull Atletico back into the game with two crucial strikes.
Coach Arne Slot praised his team’s resilience but admitted, “We should have made it easier for ourselves.” Liverpool continues its remarkable run of late winners, having scored decisive goals after the 80th minute in all four Premier League matches this season.
PSG Cruises Despite Penalty Miss
PSG showcased their dominance, with goals from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Nuno Mendes, and others, securing a comfortable 4-0 win over Atalanta. A missed penalty by Bradley Barcola didn’t affect the outcome, and coach Luis Enrique expressed delight at the team’s performance, saying, “It’s a joy to see such a performance. Our fans can be happy.”
Bayern Munich and Inter Milan Also Shine
Bayern Munich edged past Chelsea 3-1, powered by two goals from Harry Kane, avenging their 2012 final loss on home soil. Meanwhile, Inter Milan defeated Ajax 2-0 with two headed goals from Marcus Thuram, claiming early bragging rights over a historic rival.
Debutants Impress
The new teams in the Champions League are learning fast. Bodo/Glimt came from two goals down to draw 2-2 at Slavia Prague, with Sondre Brunstad Fet scoring a stunning stoppage-time volley. Pafos earned a hard-fought 0-0 draw against Olympiakos despite playing with ten men for most of the match. Belgian debutant Union Saint-Gilloise also claimed a 3-1 road victory at PSV Eindhoven.
Key Takeaways
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PSG looks set to retain the Ballon d’Or spotlight in Paris, with standout performances from Dembélé, Mendes, and Hakimi.
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Liverpool continues to rely on clutch moments late in games, a testament to their mental toughness.
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Newcomers Bodo/Glimt, Pafos, and Union Saint-Gilloise have shown they can compete at the highest level, remaining unbeaten on the road so far.
The Champions League promises more thrills as the group stage continues, with fans eagerly watching both established giants and exciting debutants battle for early supremacy.