Lisbon’s sporting chance all for naught
Defending champs Real Madrid avoid early setback with late rally in Group F fixture
PARIS — Trailing until the 89th minute against Sporting Lisbon, Real Madrid was reminded that becoming the first club to retain the trophy in the Champions League era won’t be an easy task.
The 11-time champions needed a late winner from substitute Alvaro Morata to prevail 2-1 in their opening game in the competition on a Wednesday night also marked by Premier League champion Leicester’s maiden Champions League win.
Playing against his former team, Cristiano Ronaldo was on the scoresheet at Santiago Bernabeu stadium as he levelled with one minute left from a free kick before Morata’s winner in added time. But the Portugal star was unable to match Sergio Aguero, who netted a hat trick with Manchester City.
After a one-year absence in the tournament, Dortmund celebrated its return by putting six goals past Legia Warsaw, while French clubs Monaco and Lyon made both winning starts. Here’s a roundup of all the action Wednesday:
Group E
Thrashed by Tottenham 4-1 at White Hart Lane last season in Europa League, Monaco took its revenge on Europe’s biggest club stage with a 2-1 win at Wembley.
Monaco playmaker Bernardo Silva opened the scoring after only 15 minutes before Thomas Lemar doubled the lead near the half-hour mark.
Spurs reduced the deficit through Toby Alderweireld’s header in the 45th minute.
Bayer Leverkusen failed to hold onto a 2-0 lead in the group’s other game, letting CSKA Moscow come from behind and rescue a point in a 2-2 draw.
Group F
Sporting showed it has the quality to get through the group stage with a spirited performance that stifled the defending champions.
But Zinedine Zidane’s coaching skills made the difference as his decision to bring in Morata and James Rodriguez paid off. Rodriguez provided the assist, curling a perfect ball for Morata’s header.
Borussia Dortmund, the 1997 champion, enjoyed a stroll in the park at Polish champion Legia Warsaw, scoring with six different players in a 6-0 rout.
Group G
Riyad Mahrez scored twice as Leicester opened its maiden Champions League campaign with a comfortable 3-0 victory at Belgian champion Club Brugge.
Sixteen years after its last European game, the English Premier League champion was unfazed by the occasion and got off to a strong start with Marc Albrighton scoring after five minutes.
The victory gave Leicester the lead in its group after FC Porto and Copenhagen drew 1-1.
Group H
Playing with a depleted side, Lyon relied on its homegrown players and the class of teenager Maxwel Cornet to open its Champions League campaign in style with a 3-0 blanking of Dinamo Zagreb.
Lacking five regular starters, including striker Alexandre Lacazette, Lyon dominated with a fine display of one-touch football. It quickly opened the scoring courtesy of Corentin Tolisso’s goal.
Jordan Ferri made it 2-0 four minutes into the second half from Cornet’s assist. The 19-year-old Cornet then turned from supplier to scorer after playing a slick one-two with Tolisso.
Lyon tops the group after Juventus was held to a disappointing 0-0 draw by Europa League winner Sevilla in its opening match.
Group C
Aguero kept up his explosive start to the season by scoring a hat trick for Manchester City in a 4-0 win over Borussia Monchengladbach in their rescheduled Champions League match.
A 24-hour delay, after the original fixture was postponed because of rain, didn’t put City off its stride as coach Pep Guardiola earned his seventh straight victory to open his tenure at the English club.
Aguero has now scored nine goals in five games this season after tapping in the opening goal in the ninth minute, converting a penalty in the 28th and completing his hat trick in the 77th.
Aguero was replaced by Kelechi Iheanacho, who wrapped up the scoring in stoppage time.