City and Liverpool in winning starts but there’s a Real shock...
Manchester City’s latest bid for Champions League glory got off to a decent start last night. Pep Guardiola’s men recovered from losing an early goal to beat Porto 3-1 in their Group C opener at the Etihad.
City went behind in the 15th minute when Luis Diaz ran at their defence and fired across Ederson into the left corner of the net. But they were soon back on level terms, Sergio Aguero scoring from the penalty spot after Pepe had barged Raheem Sterling.
Guardiola’ s men took the lead in the 65th minute. Ilkay Gun dog an was fouled by Fabio Vieira on the edge of the area, then got up and bent the ball beyond Marchesin to make it 2-1.
Substitute Fer ran Torres then gave City a two-goal cushion with a fine strike in the 73rd minute, cutting into the area from the left and bending the shot beyond Marchesin.
In Group D, Liverpool beat Ajax 1-0 in Amsterdam courtesy of a 35th-minute own goal.
Sadio Mane beat Perr Schuurs with a great turn but kicked the floor with his attempted shot. However, that appeared to catch Nicolas Tagliofico offguard and he could only divert it into the net.
Real Madrid fell to a shock 3-2 defeat at home to an understrength Shakhtar Donetsk in a stunning upset in Group B. Shakhtar had to field a weakened team as a result of corona virus cases, but the Ukrainian under dog store Real to shreds as they raced into a 3-0 lead in an incredible first half.
Luka Modric and Vinicius Junior pulled goals back for Madrid after the break but the Spanish giants were unable to avoid what will be seen as a humiliating loss.