The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League league phase got underway on Tuesday night with thrilling results across Europe.
At San Mames, Arsenal defeated Athletic Bilbao 2-0 thanks to second-half goals from substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard. The Gunners showed composure in a tight contest, making the perfect start to their campaign.
In Lisbon, Qarabag produced the shock of the night, coming from two goals down to stun Benfica 3-2. The hosts were 2-0 up inside 16 minutes, but the visitors responded through Leandro Andrade and Camilo Durán before Oleksii Kashchuk netted a dramatic late winner.
Real Madrid edged Marseille 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu despite playing the final 20 minutes with ten men after Dani Carvajal’s red card. Los Blancos held firm to secure three vital points.
In Turin, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund delivered an eight-goal spectacle, finishing 4-4. The Italians fought back from 4-2 down with stoppage-time strikes in the 94th and 96th minutes to salvage a point.
Elsewhere, Belgian side Union Saint-Gilloise impressed with a 3-1 away win at PSV Eindhoven, while Tottenham, under head coach Thomas Frank, opened their campaign with a narrow 1-0 victory against Villarreal.
Defending champions Paris Saint-Germain begin their title defence on Wednesday night as the league phase of the Champions League action continues.
