ACTION FILLED UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE.
Aston Villa Thrash Bayern Munich.
Aston Villa celebrated a thrilling 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich in their first Champions League home match on Wednesday, a scoreline reminiscent of their iconic 1982 European Cup final triumph against the same opponents.
The win not only marked a significant milestone for the club but also highlighted a memorable night at Villa Park.
Despite Bayern’s dominance in possession, Villa capitalized on a moment of brilliance from Jhon Duran in the 79th minute.
The Colombian forward, who has made a name for himself with crucial late goals, spotted Manuel Neuer off his line and executed a perfect lob, sending the home crowd into a frenzy.
This remarkable strike was Duran’s sixth goal of the season and fifth as a substitute, underscoring his knack for delivering when it matters most.
Stand-in captain Emiliano Martinez played a pivotal role in the victory with an inspired performance in goal.
The Argentine made crucial saves, denying efforts from Michael Olise, Serge Gnabry, and Harry Kane, the latter two in stoppage time. Martinez’s heroic display ensured Villa walked away with all three points.
Lille Humble Real Madrid.
Real Madrid suffered a disheartening defeat to Lille in their first-ever Champions League encounter on Wednesday night.
The reigning European champions, who had previously started the tournament strongly against Stuttgart, found themselves lacking in both attacking rhythm and consistency throughout the match.
Despite notable talents like Jude Bellingham, Vinicius Junior, and Endrick underperforming, it was Lille’s confidence that shone through.
The French side executed a well-structured game plan that ultimately saw them triumph with a lone penalty goal from Jonathan David shortly before halftime. The decision came after a VAR review confirmed Eduardo Camavinga’s stray arm had deflected the ball.
Madrid’s early opportunities included a long-range effort from Vinicius Junior, which was calmly saved by Lille’s Lucas Chevalier. A rare glimpse of hope came when Endrick maneuvered through the defense but failed to convert as Chevalier closed down the angle effectively. Lille pressed forward, with David’s header striking the post, showcasing their control of the match.
Despite Carlo Ancelotti’s tactical adjustments, including the introductions of Kylian Mbappe and Luka Modric, Madrid continued to struggle in the final third. Late attempts to equalize saw efforts from Dani Carvajal and Antonio Rudiger ultimately thwarted by the resolute Lille defense.
As the final whistle blew, the home crowd erupted in celebration, marking a historic victory for Lille against one of football’s giants, leaving Madrid to reflect on their missed chances and an unexpected setback in the tournament.
LIVERPOOL Show Bologna Who's Boss
Liverpool continued their perfect start to the Champions League group stage with a confident 2-0 win against Bologna at Anfield on Wednesday night.
The Reds, under manager Arne Slot, backed up their opening match victory over AC Milan, solidifying their position at the top of the group with this latest triumph.
The hosts wasted no time establishing their dominance, as Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring just 11 minutes into the match. The Argentine midfielder expertly timed his run to steer Mohamed Salah’s inviting cross past Bologna goalkeeper Lukasz Skorupski.
Liverpool thought they had doubled their lead shortly after when Darwin Nunez found the net, only for the goal to be ruled out for offside. At the other end, Bologna’s Dan Ndoye hit the woodwork, signaling their intention to fight back.
Bologna made a spirited effort to equalize early in the second half, with Riccardo Orsolini forcing a superb save from Alisson Becker, who was celebrating his 32nd birthday.
However, the Reds sealed the victory in the 75th minute when Salah showcased his class, curling a stunning effort into the far corner, bringing the home crowd to their feet.
With this goal, Salah etched his name in the record books, becoming the first Liverpool player to score in five consecutive home Champions League matches.