Ukrainians shock Real Madrid in Champions League first round
Shakhtar Donetsk pulled off a shock 3-2 win away to 13-times winners Real Madrid in their Champions League Group B opener on Wednesday, despite the Ukrainian side missing 10 players due to injuries and Covid-19.
Shakhtar raced into a 3-0 lead after a whirlwind first half with a strike from Brazilian midfielder Tetê in the 29th minute, an own goal from Madrid defender Raphaël Varane four minutes later and a well-taken effort from Israeli forward Manor Solomon.
Luka Modrić pulled one back for Zinedine Zidane’s shell-shocked side with a brilliant strike from distance early in the second half before substitute Vinicius Jr reduced the deficit to one goal.
“In the first half we were not worthy of this competition,” said Modrić. “It’s obvious we need to improve, we lacked confidence today, especially in the first half, but we have to move on, we can’t waste any time regretting what has happened.”
In Amsterdam, Liverpool beat Ajax 1-0 with a fortunate own goal in their group-stage opener on Wednesday, riding their luck at times but still showing their title credentials.
Ajax fullback Nicolás Tagliafico turned the ball into his own net in the 35th minute to ensure a winning start in Group D for the English champions, who looked the stronger of the two teams despite Ajax creating several good chances at the Johan Cruyff Arena.
Davy Klaassen struck the post with a powerful shot and Quincy Promes had a point-blank effort stopped by the legs of goalkeeper Adrian as the Dutch club created a handful of excellent opportunities.
Manchester City came from behind to make a winning start in Group C with a 3-1 victory over Porto at the Etihad Stadium. City had fallen behind to a fine 14th-minute solo strike from Luis Díaz but a Sergio Agüero penalty brought them level before second-half goals from İlkay Gündoğan and Ferran Torres secured the win.
Pep Guardiola’s side, defeated in the quarterfinals last season, struggled to find their fluidity in the opening 45 minutes but as Porto tired after the break, City’s quality proved enough.
“We are struggling at the moment,” said German midfielder Gündoğan. “Fernandinho went off at the end, we have players playing in different positions. I am not 100% there because I had Covid, we are not all at the same moment. That is the challenge for this season, it’s not going to end for a while.”
Bayern Munich irresistible
Defending champions Bayern Munich were in irresistible form against Atlético Madrid. Wing Kingsley Coman scored twice and set up another goal as they crushed Atlético 4-0 to stretch their winning run in the competition to 12 games. The France international put the hosts ahead with a fine effort in the 28th minute and then set up Leon Goretzka to fire in their second in the 41st minute.
Fellow France international Corentin Tolisso killed off any Spanish hopes of a comeback with a sensational shot in the 66th minute before Coman twice shook off defender Felipe to bag his second goal of the evening six minutes later.
Bayern, who won all 11 of their games en route to the Champions League title last season, are top on three points in group, with Lokomotiv Moscow and Salzburg on one point following their 2-2 draw.
Manchester United got their campaign under way in emphatic style when Marcus Rashford’s late goal earned them a 2-1 victory at Paris Saint-Germain on Tuesday, handing the French champions their first groupstage home defeat in 16 years.
Chelsea were frustrated by a disciplined Sevilla in their opening Group E fixture, which ended in a cagey 0-0 draw at Stamford Bridge.
In the first half we were not worthy of this competition. It’s obvious we need to improve, we lacked confidence today, especially in the first half, but we have to move on, we can’t waste any time regretting what has happened.