First-half goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo secured an impressive 2-0 Champions League win away to Villarreal.
It was a mature and polished performance by Pep Guardiola’s side, who continue to impress this season. And the win on Spanish soil ensures the Blues keep up with the early league phase pace-setters after last season’s frustrations – as well as extending our unbeaten run in all competitions to nine.
City moved up to fifth spot in the Champions League group phase table as a result of their win in Spain. With successive home games to come against German sides Borussia Dortmund and Bayer Leverkusen to come in November, it leaves City in a position of strength with only three games played. City were in command from the word go. Savinho and Haaland exchanged passes that ended with Jeremy Doku half-connecting with a low shot that felt like an opportunity missed – all inside the first minute. The Blues looked composed and were controlling much of the play, with the hosts reduced to the odd scrap here and there – so it was no surprise when the Spaniards fell behind on 17 minutes. Savinho found the clever run of Rico Lewis and his intelligent pull back was met sweetly by Haaland to give the keeper no chance with his 24th goal for club and country this season.
Villarreal’s Gueye flashed a fierce shot just wide but an equaliser would have felt harsh. City’s second of the evening would give the game a more realistic look as Bernardo’s well-time run onto Savinho’s cross ended with the skipper heading home from eight yards five minutes before the break. Haaland went close to adding to his incredible tally on a couple of occasions in the closing stages and was only denied a second by a superb save by Luiz Junior.
PSG crush Leverkusen 7-2
Paris Saint-Germain showcased its relentless attacking power with a resounding 7-2 victory over Bayer Leverkusen in the UEFA Champions League’s league.
Leverkusen entered the match buoyed by a strong domestic run but were swiftly overwhelmed by PSG’s precision and pace. Former Eintracht Frankfurt defender Willian Pacho opened the scoring with a header inside seven minutes, capitalizing on hesitant defending by the hosts. Leverkusen responded with determination as Alejandro Grimaldo struck the post from the penalty spot after a handball, missing the chance to equalize.
Leverkusen’s Robert Andrich was dismissed following a VAR review for elbowing Desire Doue, and shortly after, PSG’s Ilia Zabarnyi received a second yellow card for fouling Christian Kofane in the box.
Aleix Garcia calmly converted the resulting penalty to level the score at 1-1, but PSG quickly restored control. Within minutes, Doue netted twice and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added another as the defending champion raced into a 4-1 halftime lead.
After the break, Nuno Mendes extended PSG’s advantage with a composed finish following a fine assist from Vitinha. Garcia briefly reignited Leverkusen’s hopes with a stunning long-range strike, but Ousmane Dembele, returning from injury, scored minutes after coming on to make it six. Vitinha then capped off the performance with a fine strike, sealing a resounding victory for Luis Enrique’s side. The defeat leaves Leverkusen still searching for its first win of the campaign, while PSG continues to assert its credentials as Europe’s most formidable force. Elsewhere in the third round, Inter Milan overcame early struggles at Union Saint-Gilloise, scoring twice before halftime to set the tone for a commanding 4-0 victory, marking their third consecutive win in the competition.
Borussia Dortmund continued its scoring run, securing a 4-2 win in Copenhagen, while Napoli collapsed defensively after the break in Eindhoven, where PSV transformed a narrow 3-2 lead into a stunning 6-2 rout. Newcastle United pulled away from Benfica after the interval, with substitute Harvey Barnes netting twice in a convincing 3-0 win. Meanwhile, Kairat Almaty and Pafos shared the points in a goalless draw.
Arsenal beat Atletico
Arsenal produced a breathtaking 14-minute spell to score four goals and demolish Atletico Madrid, extending its flawless start to the league phase of the Champions League.
The emphatic victory means Arsenal has won all three of its opening Champions League fixtures without conceding a single goal.
Both sides struck the woodwork before Gabriel headed in Declan Rice’s free-kick to give the hosts the advantage shortly before the hour.
Three further goals followed in the next 13 minutes, as Gabriel Martinelli curled into the corner before Viktor Gyökeres’ double added extra gloss to the scoreline.
The Gunners began brightly, with Eberechi Eze striking the crossbar via a deflection early on, while Atletico’s Julian Alvarez almost punished goalkeeper David Raya, who was caught off his line by a long-range effort.
The first half remained tight and tactical, with few clear chances for either side. That continued after the break until center-back Gabriel Magalhaes broke the deadlock in the 57th minute, heading in Declan Rice’s pinpoint free-kick.
That goal unleashed Arsenal’s attacking fury. Myles Lewis-Skelly’s driving run set up Gabriel Martinelli to curl home a superb second, before striker Viktor Gyokeres bundled in his first Arsenal goal in eight matches to make it 3-0.
Just three minutes later, the Swedish forward struck again, this time turning in Gabriel’s knockdown from a dangerous corner to complete a stunning burst of four goals in just 14 minutes.
Earlier, Fermin Lopez hit a hat-trick as Barcelona beat Olympiacos, earning an emphatic 6-1 first home win.
The Spain winger’s composed finishes gave the hosts a 2-0 half-time advantage before Ayoub El Kaabi replied with a penalty for Olympiacos, who had Santiago Hezze dismissed for a second caution soon afterwards.
Lamine Yamal’s spot kick proved the first of four goals in 12 minutes for rampant Barça, Fermín López completing his treble in between two Marcus Rashford strikes as the five-time champions reached six points.