Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe shoots a excessive ball subsequent to Marseille defenders throughout a Champions League opening part soccer match between Real Madrid and Marseille at Santiago Bernabeu stadium, in Madrid, on September 16, 2025.
| Photo Credit: AP
Kylian Mbappé transformed two penalties and 10-man Real Madrid got here again to beat visiting Marseille 2-1 on the opening night time of the Champions League.
The victory meant that 15-time champion Madrid grew to become the primary staff in competitors historical past — for the reason that rebranding within the early Nineties — to succeed in 200 wins. And it gave former Madrid taking part in standout Xabi Alonso a victory in his Champions League debut as the membership’s coach.
Timothy Weah put visiting Marseille forward early on however Mbappé struck again from the penalty spot within the twenty ninth and 81st. The first penalty got here after a foul on Rodrygo and the second for a handball by a defender.
Mbappé now has 50 targets in 64 matches with Madrid.
“We are happy that he keeps scoring goals and has been feeling more and more comfortable,” Madrid midfielder Federico Valverde mentioned of the France star. “Our job is to make sure the ball gets to him and that he can have even more scoring opportunities than he is having now.”
Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was despatched off within the 72nd for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli.
Weah — a United States worldwide and the son of former Ballon d’Or winner George Weah — was arrange by Mason Greenwood, who stripped Madrid’s Arda Guler close to midfield.
Trent injured
Trent Alexander-Arnold’s Champions League debut for Madrid lasted solely 5 minutes. The England defender was changed by Carvajal due to an obvious muscle harm.
Spanish police clashed with Marseille followers earlier than the match however the state of affairs was managed rapidly.
An early personal objective from goalkeeper Luiz Junior gave Tottenham a 1-0 win over visiting Villarreal.
Borussia Dortmund and Juventus drew 4-4 in Turin. Juventus substitute Dusan Vlahovic scored one objective in stoppage time after which arrange the equalizer for English defender Lloyd Kelly.
Qarabag got here from two targets all the way down to win 3-2 at Benfica.
In the second season of the brand new league-phase format, the highest eight groups advance to the spherical of 16. The subsequent 16 groups enter a two-leg playoff, with eight advancing.
Arsenal subs decisive
Viktor Gyokeres was off course in his Champions League debut for Arsenal. The London membership’s substitutes have been decisive, although, in a 2-0 win for the Gunners at Athletic Bilbao.
Gabriel Martinelli scored lower than a minute after he got here on and Leandro Trossard — who had changed Gyokeres — doubled the lead quarter-hour later.
Gyokeres — Arsenal’s prized signing who scored six Champions League targets for Sporting Lisbon final season — missed a golden probability shortly after the break. The Sweden worldwide evaded his marker with ease and rose to fulfill a well-placed free kick from Declan Rice however his header went properly vast of the goal.
Martinelli and Trossard additionally supplied the assists on one another’s targets.
Union’s memorable debut
Competition newcomer Union Saint-Gilloise made a memorable debut, as the Belgian membership received 3-1 throughout the border at PSV Eindhoven.
The first objective of this season’s competitors was a penalty kick transformed by Canada worldwide Promise David.
The penalty was awarded when United States worldwide Ricardo Pepi harshly landed his boot into the leg of Union’s English middle again Christian Burgess.
Goalkeeper Matej Kovar then went the fallacious manner on the spot kick within the ninth minute.
Another error by Pepi led to Union’s second earlier than the break, a dribbling exhibition and skilled end by Anouar Ait El Hadj.
Union, which certified by successful the Belgian league for the primary time in 90 years, is considered one of 4 golf equipment making their competitors debuts this season. The others are Bodø/Glimt (from Norway), Kairat (Kazakhstan) and Pafos (Cyprus).
Argentine defender Kevin Mac Allister, who is called for Macaulay Culkin’s character in “Home Alone,” made it 3-0 from shut vary within the 81st.
Ruben van Bommel — the son of former Netherlands standout Mark van Bommel — scored for PSV within the ninetieth.
PSV had gone unbeaten in its earlier 11 group or league matches in UEFA competitors.
Published – September 17, 2025 10:45 am IST
