In a night filled with drama and upsets in the UEFA Champions League, English players took center stage, though not all with triumphant results.
Jude Bellingham’s star continued to rise as he led Real Madrid to a thrilling 3-2 victory over Napoli. However, the same evening saw Manchester United succumb to Galatasaray and Arsenal fall to Lens.
Jude Bellingham: Real Madrid’s Rising Star
Jude Bellingham’s impact on Real Madrid’s campaign cannot be overstated. The young English midfielder, who recently joined the Spanish giants from Borussia Dortmund, played a pivotal role in Madrid’s dramatic win against Napoli. Bellingham provided an assist to Vinicius Junior and showcased his individual brilliance with a stunning goal. An unfortunate deflection off Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret ultimately sealed the victory for Real Madrid.
Bellingham’s contributions in the Champions League are becoming a trend, as he had previously scored the winning goal against Union Berlin. With eight goals and three assists this season, the 20-year-old midfielder is swiftly becoming a star attraction for Real Madrid.
English Teams Struggle
While Bellingham shone for Real Madrid, English teams faced disappointment in their Champions League fixtures. Manchester United, led by manager Erik ten Hag, suffered a 3-2 defeat at the hands of Galatasaray. Despite a 2-1 lead, United’s fortunes took a nosedive in a 10-minute spell that saw midfielder Casemiro sent off. Galatasaray capitalized on the numerical advantage, ultimately securing the win with a late Mauro Icardi goal. This result leaves Manchester United at the bottom of their group, having conceded seven goals in just two Champions League matches.
Arsenal, too, faced a setback as they fell 2-1 to Lens. Gabriel Jesus had given Arsenal the lead, but Lens fought back with goals from Elye Wahi and Adrien Thomasson. Declan Rice lamented missed opportunities for Arsenal, but expressed optimism about the team’s development this season. Arsenal’s victory over PSV Eindhoven in their previous Champions League match was a significant achievement, marking their return to the competition after a five-year absence. In contrast, Lens hadn’t won a Champions League game since 2002 before this season.
Bayern’s Winning Streak Continues
Bayern Munich maintained their remarkable record in the Champions League group stage, extending their winning streak to 15 games dating back to 2020. In a hard-fought encounter against Copenhagen, Jamal Musiala equalized after Lukas Lerager’s opener for the Danish side.
The winning goal came courtesy of 18-year-old Mathys Tel, who combined with veteran Thomas Müller. Bayern’s goalkeeper, Sven Ulreich, had to make a crucial save in injury time to preserve the victory.
Heartbreak for Union Berlin
Union Berlin’s Champions League debut took a heartbreaking turn as they lost 3-2 to Braga. Despite taking a 2-0 lead with counterattack goals from Sheraldo Becker, they conceded two late goals, including a winner in the fourth minute of added time from André Castro.
Union Berlin’s qualification chances in their group, which also features Real Madrid and Napoli, are now in jeopardy.
Dramatic Draw and Wins for Real Sociedad and Inter Milan
In a thrilling match, PSV and Sevilla played to a 2-2 draw, with late goals in the 86th, 87th, and stoppage time. Real Sociedad secured their first Champions League victory in 20 years with a 2-0 win over Salzburg, while Inter Milan edged out Benfica 1-0 thanks to Marcus Thuram’s solitary goal.
The night’s events in the Champions League showcased the unpredictability and excitement of the competition, with emerging stars and seasoned clubs battling for glory.
