The first eight games of Champions League Matchday 3 are over after a goal-filled day of European soccer. The eight matches in total brought 35 goals, as seven of the eight matches featured at least four goals. On the night, Liverpool got their first ever win over Atletico Madrid, 3-2, while PSG came from behind thanks to Lionel Messi to beat RB Leipzig, 3-2.
Ajax were able to absolutely destroy Dortmund, 4-0, and Real Madrid got back on track after their loss to Sheriff by putting five past Shakhtar on the road.
In the early matches, Manchester City, went to Club Brugge and hung five goals on the home team, winning 5-1 and Sporting CP similarly notched and impressive away win in Istanbul defeating Besiktas 4-1.
Here are the scores and everything you need to see:
Results
- Besiktas 1, Sporting 4
- Club Brugge 1, Manchester City 5
- Real Madrid 5, Shakhtar Donetsk 0
- PSG 3, RB Leipzig 2
- Liverpool 3, Atletico Madrid 2
- Inter Milan 3, Sheriff 1
- Ajax 4, Dortmund 0
- Porto 1, Milan 0
Match of the day
Liverpool 3, Atletico Madrid 2
What a match this was. It had it all. First, Liverpool took a 2-0 lead thanks to Mohamed Salah and Naby Keita before Los Colchoneros came roaring back via Antoine Griezmann's brace. But then the French forward would get a silly red card for a dangerous, unintentional challenge on Roberto Firmino, opening up a window for the Reds to take the points.
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After Mario Hermoso's silly challege on Diogo Jota in the box, Liverpool got the chance they needed via a penalty kick to win, 3-2.
Here's the winning goal:
This match featured five goals, 19 shots, 11 on frame, a penalty given, one taken away via VAR late for Atletico and everything you could want from the Champions League group stage.
The best part? They play again at Anfield in a couple of weeks.
Player of the day
This is a tough one. While Mohamed Salah is deserving, the edge goes to Lionel Messi. He didn't have a whole lot to do with the ball at his feet in terms of creating, but he delivered when it mattered most. PSG went up nine minutes in thanks to Kylian Mbappe, but by the 57th minute Jesse Marsch's RB Leipzig had turned it around behind goals from Andre Silva and Nordi Mukiele. Then Messi managed to score two goals in seven minutes to take home the win.
His first goal was a delightful combination with Mbappe, and his winner came on a penalty kick, where he was just downright naughty.
Best goal
There were some great ones, including Keita's volley and a free kick golazo from Sheriff's Sebastien Thill, but no goal came close to what Vinicius Jr. did against Shakhtar. The Brazilian tore up the home defense and produced a Cristiano Ronaldo or Messi-like goal with unbelievable cuts, perfection when it came to keeping the ball close to his feet, and it a finish that was precise and powerful. No goalkeeper was saving that. Take a look:
The silliest challenge of the day
Here's an honor Griezmann wasn't looking for when he woke up. He helped his team claw back against Liverpool but then did this after tracking the ball in the air.
A shocking challenge. Sure, it was unintentional, but it was still extremely dangerous. He now misses the return to Anfield, opening the door for Luis Suarez to start against his former club.
Biggest surprise
This one is all about the Ajax and Dortmund game. On paper, it had the chance to be the game of the week, let alone the day. It featured 28 shots, incredible skill and four goals. The catch? All those goals were for Ajax. The Dutch side were the favorites, but Dortmund were absolutely horrendous in defense. Emre Can was pushed aside by Sebastien Haller with ease for his goal, and they were just out of sync and failed to react. Antony made them look silly in this one, putting Ajax in the driver's seat in the group.
Wednesday's schedule
All times Eastern
- Salzburg vs. Wolfsburg, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Barcelona vs. Dynamo Kyiv, 12:45 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Lille vs. Sevilla, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Manchester United vs. Atalanta, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Zenit vs. Juventus, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Benfica vs. Bayern Munich, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)
- Chelsea vs. Malmo, 3 p.m.(Paramount+)
- Young Boys vs. Villarreal, 3 p.m. (Paramount+)