The opening round of the UEFA Champions League delivered drama and reshaped the early table picture. Tuesday’s fixtures saw heavyweights tested, debutants shine, and late goals change the balance in several groups.
In Turin, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a remarkable 4–4 draw. The Germans looked set for victory after leading 4–2, but Dušan Vlahović struck late before Juve equalised in stoppage time. Both clubs take a point, though defensive flaws leave questions heading into the next round.
Real Madrid began their campaign with a 2–1 win over Marseille. The French side shocked the Bernabéu with an early opener, but Kylian Mbappé converted two penalties to turn the game around. Madrid were reduced to ten men but held on for three valuable points.
The night’s surprise came in Eindhoven where Union Saint-Gilloise, playing their first Champions League match, stunned PSV 3–1. The Belgian side’s ruthless counter-attacks secured an historic away win, giving them an early boost in the standings and making Group B wide open.
Elsewhere, Arsenal impressed with a strong performance, while several ties ended in cagey draws that leave those groups finely balanced. After Matchday 1, the official UEFA table shows early leaders on three points with goal difference already playing a role. Teams that won away matches are in especially strong positions as they prepare for the second round of fixtures on September 30 and October 1.
The opening games highlight a few trends: decisive penalties, late comebacks, and the impact of debutant sides. With only six matchdays to decide group rankings, the points dropped and gained this week could prove vital. Matchday 1 has set the stage for a compelling group phase, with both giants and underdogs already shaping the story.
Table below
