Mertens stunt against Manchester United, Bayern with difficulty past Copenhagen
After the defeat against Bayern on the opening matchday, they were eager for a win at Manchester United. The Galatasaray, where Dries Mertens started on the bench, had to be the result. Hojlund understood that message well. After a quick switch, the Danish striker was in the right place to score the 1-0 against the ropes. Erik ten Hag’s troops could not enjoy that lead for long. Wilfried Zaha, who was once under contract with United, brought the Turks level again with an excellent goal.
Same scenario in the second half. Hojlund put United back in the lead after a nice rush and ditto lob, but again the English were unable to hold on to the lead. This time it was the Turk Aktürkoglu who was allowed to celebrate. Mertens was then allowed to take charge for another twenty minutes, and immediately made himself noticed by scoring a penalty. Casemiro got red for the tackle on our compatriot, but Icardi kicked the penalty wildly wide. Yet the Argentinian would still be the hero of the evening by hitting the winning goal over Onana against the ropes a few minutes before the end.
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In that other match, Bayern had a difficult time visiting FC Copenhagen. After a closed first half, it was actually Lukas Lerager (ex-Zulte Waregem) who gave the home team the lead. Bayern then did everything they could to score the equalizer, and they succeeded. Jamal Musiala broke free and took a particularly nice shot at the far corner: 1-1. They thought about it at Bayern. The young Frenchman Mathys Tel was cleverly released by Müller and thus decided the match.
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Lens keeps the points at home against Arsenal, PSV scores points against Sevilla
Just like last season, Arsenal have started the season excellently. The Gunners, where Trossard was once again given a starting spot, are breathing down Manchester City’s neck in the Premier League and are also doing well in the Champions League. It didn’t take long before the zero was cleared in Lens. The Brazilian Jesus aimed an assist from Saka against the ropes.
However, Lens was not upset and not much later the signs were in balance again. Thomasson had the home crowd cheering. So everything has to be done again. Yet the goal was not the biggest setback for Arsenal in the first half. Ten minutes before the break, star player Bukaya Saka suddenly had to sit down. A muscle injury appears to have prevented the Gunners from calling on the young Englishman for a while. Missing Saka left some doubts in Arsenal’s minds. Lens punished that loss of concentration mercilessly. Wahi, the replacement for Loïs Openda at Lens, gave the French the lead with a good shot.
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After the collapse against Arsenal, PSV hoped for an improvement against Sevilla. The Eindhoven team, where Bakayoko started in the starting line-up, also started the game well. A busy Noa Lang tested goalkeeper Nyland several times, but was unable to score. Still, they continued to watch out for the Spaniards. After poor clearance from Ramalho, Pedrosa was allowed to approach goal alone. The Spaniard also scored, but luckily for PSV he had first touched the ball with his hand. So no goal.
Stay of execution, as it turned out. A header from Ramos came at the feet of Gudelj who opened the scoring spectacularly. PSV was not upset and the sting was still in the tail. De Jong deservedly brought the Eindhoven team back to the same level from the spot. But less than a minute later, Sevilla took the lead again after a header goal by the Moroccan En-Nesyri. PSV pulled ahead with all its might and Jordan Teze kicked the equalizer against the ropes in the absolute final second.
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Bellingham takes Real in tow again, Braga past Union Berlin in the closing seconds
The match between Napoli and Real Madrid was labeled in advance as the highlight of the evening. And that match certainly did not disappoint. Somewhat against the flow of play, it was Napoli that took the lead. The Norwegian Ostigard took full advantage of a miss by goalkeeper Kepa and actually headed the Italian champion into the lead. If you make a mistake in the Champions League, you pay in cash.
An expression that Napoli left back Olivera also knows after tonight. The left back made a dramatic pass towards the centre. Jude Bellingham was well in between, then kept the overview and found Vinicius Jr who could hardly miss: 1-1. That assist clearly gave the in-form Bellginham wings. Less than ten minutes later, the Englishman walked into the Neapolitan defense and finished well. Going up and over Napoli in seven minutes? Jude Bellingham can do that.
Napoli came out of the dressing room in good spirits and that immediately yielded results. After a duel with Osimhen, Nacho unintentionally got the ball in his arm. So penalty. Zielinski got behind the ball and kicked the equalizer through the post. At Napoli the hope of a point became more and more alive, but that was beyond Fede Valverde’s calculations. The Uruguayan made a blistering effort and the ball went into the goal via the back of goalkeeper Meret: 2-3, which was also the final score.
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In that other match in group C, Union Berlin and Braga were unable to do anything with a view to European wintering. However, the Germans seemed to have a good chance of a first victory in the Champions League. Sheraldo Becker gave Union Berlin a double lead before half-time.
But Niakaté (just before the break) and Bruma (just after the break) ensured that Braga got back into the match. Both teams went all out for the win, and it paid off. Deep into extra time, Castro decided the match for the Portuguese. At Union Berlin they were left deeply disappointed.
Sociedad wins in the CL for the first time in twenty years, Inter beats Benfica
In group D, Red Bull Salzburg was unable to continue their strong opening match against Benfica. They deservedly lost at home against the Spanish Real Sociedad. The Spaniards were already on their own at halftime after goals from Oyarzabal and Mendez. After the break, Salzburg came out of the dressing room sharper, which resulted in a penalty after a mistake by Sociedad goalkeeper Remiro. However, the VAR saw no problem with the goalkeeper’s action. So no penalty, and therefore no tying goal either.
Then Sociedad took control of the match again and played out the match without too many problems. For the Spaniards it is the first victory in twenty years in the Champions League.
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Inter also had its sights set on a first victory in this Champions League. The Italians dominated the entire match against Benfica, but a lack of efficiency ensured that it remained exciting until the final seconds. Fortunately for Inter, Marcus Thuram scored just after the hour. Benfica remains behind with zero points after two games. The Portuguese already have their backs against the wall.
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2023-10-03 21:02:49
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