Bayern scores nine wins, Real Madrid and Liverpool win at the start of the new Champions League
Harry Kane scored four goals in Bayern Munich’s 9-2 win over Dinamo Zagreb.
Alexandra BEIER
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When the new format of Europe’s elite club competition began on Tuesday, Bayern Munich became the first team to score nine goals in a modern Champions League match, joining defending champions Real Madrid and Liverpool among the winners.
Harry Kane scored four goals, including three penalties, as Vincent Kompany’s Bayern defeated Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at the Allianz Arena.
Michael Olise scored twice on his Champions League debut, while Raphael Guerreiro, Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka also scored for the home side in Germany.
Dinamo were 3-0 down at half-time, but gave the hosts a scare twice in two minutes shortly after the break. Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara scored. But from the 57th minute onwards, Bayern scored six goals.
“An incredible game, a bit of a crazy game,” Kane told broadcaster DAZN.
“It’s the first time I’ve scored three (penalties) in a game. That kind of thing never happens.”
Bayern were the last team to score eight goals in a Champions League match when they beat Barcelona 8-2 in the 2020 quarter-finals.
It was a remarkable way to celebrate the opening night of the brand new Champions League, with the competition now featuring 36 teams rather than being grouped together in one giant league as they once were during the group stages.
Each participant will now play eight games against eight different opponents, with the best eight teams at the end of the league phase automatically advancing to the round of 16.
Places 9 to 24 qualify for a play-off round in which the remaining teams are determined in the round of 16, while the last twelve are eliminated.
European football’s governing body UEFA has introduced the new format to ward off the threat of the biggest clubs splitting from the Super League, but also hopes the changes will breathe new life into the competition.
Kylian Mbappe scored the first goal for Real Madrid as the team defeated Stuttgart 3-1 in their first game of their title defence.
Thomas COEX
There was plenty of excitement across the continent on Tuesday as reigning champions Madrid were made to work hard before beating VfB Stuttgart 3-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Kylian Mbappe crowned his first game in this competition with Real by scoring the first goal shortly after half-time.
However, Deniz Undav equalized midway through the second half for Stuttgart, who were competing in the Champions League for the first time since 2010.
Nevertheless, Real emerged victorious when Antonio Rüdiger put the team back in front against his old side with a header seven minutes from time and the young Brazilian Endrick scored the third goal in injury time.
“I know I can do more. I feel better with every game and now I’m scoring goals. I’m happy here,” new signing Mbappe told broadcaster Movistar.
“We know that the Champions League has changed and that it is important to win quickly to see whether we can qualify quickly or not.”
Liverpool celebrated their return to the top of the European table with a 3-1 away win at seven-time champions AC Milan in Italy, which saw the club come from behind.
Christian Pulisic gave Milan an early lead, but Ibrahima Konate equalised and Virgil van Dijk headed the visitors ahead before half-time. Dominik Szoboszlai then sealed the win for Liverpool at the San Siro.
Aston Villa celebrated a 3-0 away win at Swiss champions Young Boys in Bern in their first-ever game in the modern Champions League, 41 years after their last appearance in the old European Cup.
Captain Virgil van Dijk helped Liverpool to a 3-1 win against AC Milan at the San Siro
PIERO CRUCIATTI
Youri Tielemans and Jacob Ramsey scored the goals for the 1982 European champions in the first half and Amadou Onana sealed the victory shortly before the end.
Villa head coach Unai Emery wanted to give his team three points as a tribute to the club’s former striker Gary Shaw, a member of the European Cup-winning team who died on Monday aged 63 following a fall.
“They won the Champions League 42 years ago. We want to try to build on that team’s performance,” said Emery.
Juventus beat PSV Eindhoven 3-1 in Turin. Kenan Yildiz opened the game in style and Weston McKennie and Nicolas Gonzalez also scored. Ismael Saibari reduced the deficit.
Portuguese champions Sporting beat Lille 2-0 at home, with impressive Swedish striker Viktor Gyoekeres scoring before Zeno Debast scored, while the French side had Angel Gomes sent off.
The action continues on Wednesday, including a repeat of the 2023 final between Manchester City and Inter Milan.
