ISTANBUL/LONDON/MADRID/ OCT 14 (IANS): Barcelona, Arsenal, Atletico Madrid and Villarreal recorded important victories in the UEFA Champions League, while Bayern Munich were held to a dramatic 3-3 draw by Viking FK in a night of high-scoring encounters and late drama.
Barcelona overcome Galatasaray 4-1
Barcelona extended their winning start to the campaign with a commanding 4-1 comeback victory over Galatasaray at RAMS Park. Galatasaray took the lead against the run of play when Aleksei Batrakov scored with a deflected effort. However, Joao Cancelo restored parity with a composed finish shortly before half-time. Barcelona took control after the restart, scoring twice in just over three minutes. Lamine Yamal played a key role in both goals, setting up Fermin Lopez for a precise header before creating another opportunity for Anthony Gordon to score from close range. Substitute Karim Adeyemi added a fourth with a crisp strike midway through the second half, completing a convincing victory for Hansi Flick’s side.
Bayern held to 3-3 draw by Viking
Bayern Munich endured a frustrating night in Norway as Viking FK recovered from a late setback to secure a 3-3 draw against the German champions.
Viking made a flying start, with Gianni Stensness heading home from a corner inside the opening two minutes. Peter Christiansen doubled the hosts’ advantage on the counterattack before half-time, leaving Bayern with a two-goal deficit.
Harry Kane inspired Bayern’s comeback after the interval, converting a penalty before heading home to level the score. Luis Diaz then completed the turnaround by finishing a well-worked move to put the visitors ahead.
However, Bayern’s advantage was short-lived. Michael Olise was sent off, leaving the German side at a numerical disadvantage, and Herman Haugen struck a last-minute equaliser to earn Viking their first point in the Champions League. Despite the disappointment, Kane extended his Champions League scoring streak to nine consecutive games.
Arsenal hit Lille with three-goal burst
Arsenal maintained their perfect start with a 3-0 victory over Lille, scoring all three goals in a devastating seven-minute spell in the second half.
After a goalless opening period, Jurrien Timber broke the deadlock in the 64th minute with an excellent individual effort. Receiving the ball from Noni Madueke inside the box, Timber created space with a deft touch before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper.
Ebere Eze doubled Arsenal’s lead three minutes later, finishing a swift counterattack after Timber won possession high up the pitch and the Gunners moved forward quickly.
Bukayo Saka completed the scoring in the 71st minute after combining with fellow substitutes Martin Odegaard and Kai Havertz. The goal was Saka’s 19th in European competition for Arsenal, making him the club’s second-highest European goalscorer behind Thierry Henry.
Arsenal recorded their 14th consecutive victory in the Champions League league phase, moving closer to Bayern Munich’s record of 17 successive wins. Goalkeeper David Raya also equalled David Seaman’s record of 38 Champions League appearances for Arsenal.
Atletico Madrid defeat Manchester United 2-0
Atletico Madrid claimed a deserved 2-0 victory over Manchester United, with Pablo Barrios and Ademola Lookman scoring in either half.
Atletico needed less than a minute to take the lead. Giuliano Simeone collected a long ball and set up Barrios, who calmly side-footed the ball into the net.
Manchester United attempted to respond, with Bryan Mbeumo firing wide and Marcus Rashford narrowly missing a chance to connect with Lisandro Martinez’s long pass.
Atletico had a second goal ruled out following a VAR review after Marcos Llorente’s earlier handball, while Julian Alvarez struck the post early in the second half. United’s hopes suffered another setback in the 74th minute when Leny Yoro received a red card. Atletico capitalised on their numerical advantage five minutes later, as Lookman scored from close range after goalkeeper Senne Lammens had saved Jonathan David’s initial effort.
Villarreal stage comeback against Napoli
Villarreal secured a 3-1 victory over Napoli after recovering from an early setback. Napoli took the lead in the eighth minute when Amir Rrahmani capitalised on a loose ball inside the home penalty area.
Villarreal responded strongly, with Georges Mikautadze equalising in the 23rd minute with a finish from a narrow angle.
Elswhere, RB Leipzig registered their first Champions League victory of the season with a narrow 1-0 win over PSV Eindhoven.
The decisive goal arrived in the 75th minute when PSV failed to clear David Raum’s corner. Brajan Gruda collected the loose ball outside the penalty area and curled a deflected shot into the left corner.
Goalkeeper Maarten Vandevoordt also played a crucial role, saving a penalty to preserve Leipzig’s advantage and help the German side secure all three points.