Champions League Matchday 3 got off to a slow start Wednesday but the second halves brought fireworks on a wild day of action with 13 of the 18 goals coming after the break. Bayern Munich, Inter and Real Madrid took control in their groups while unlikely heroes got Manchester United their first win of this Champions League campaign. Harry Maguire scored the solo goal for the Red Devils but after Scott McTominay conceded a penalty, Andre Onana came up with a save when it mattered most in the final seconds. It could be a turning point for the team but there is a long way to go as they were never comfortable across the 90 minutes.
Galatasaray 1, Bayern Munich 3
Inter 2, Red Bull Salzburg 1
Manchester United 1, Copenhagen 0
Sevilla 1, Arsenal 2
Lens 1, PSV 1
Braga 1, Real Madrid 2
Benfica 0, Real Sociedad 1
Union Berlin 0, Napoli 1
Scott McTominay has conceded a penalty with a high boot but Andre Onana, who has been central to United's issues came up with a save when it mattered most as the Red Devils escape with a victory.
The Red Devils have actually scored a goal and it's a big one as they've been creating chances against Copenhagen but not taking them. As expected, it's Eriksen who created the goal too.
Remember that slow start to the slate? Well, that's in the past. Lens has equalized in the match, Sevilla got a goal back and Real Sociedad went ahead. These games are getting quite interesting as they begin to wind down.
Death, taxes, and Jude Bellingham goal involvements as Rela Madrid double their lead. It was an important insurance goal too as Braga scored within two minutes to equalize. This game could be opening up in a big way.
it's an assist for American Malik Tillman as Johan Bakayoko scores an excellent goal from the edge of the box. Group B is getting quite tight as this would bring all the teams together in the mids of the group. Arsenal also extended their lead via Gabriel Jesus.
Although United are trying to move on from relying on the Danish midfielder, they've lacked creativity without him so chasing goals, here we are with Eriksen entering.
Martinelli took it coast to coast for Arsenal turning a Sevilla chance into an Arsenal goal to score a dagger right before the half. Arsenal can also lay claim to now having one of the two goals in the first half of today's late slate.
The matches are closing in on halftime and only Real Madrid has found the back of the net. Can anyone join them before the break?
A player who has been knocked around by teams constantly, Arsenal need to be careful not to overwork Saka, and Sevilla are quite a physical team. Saka will continue in the match but it's something to watch as the match goes on.
Napoli can't afford to lose this game but that's not the start that they'd be looking for as Gosens scores the opener but they're saved by the offside flag. Gutting for Berlin at their temporary Champions League home.
Talk about anti-climactic as Los Blancos look for a rebound following a poor performance versus Sevilla and they have a 17th minute goal from Rodrygo to hang their hats on.
Benfica has the ball in the back of the net but Rafa Silva couldn't hold his run leading to the match still being level.
Defensively the Red Devils are in shambles as Copenhagen are creating chances. A deflection off the post saved United from conceding a goal and now Copenhagen are making it rain corner kicks. This will be quite the match as the fear of going into Old Trafford is gone.
It's a lovely slate of fixtures as we see some fun matchups all around. Let's see who scores the first goal.
But Bayern continues to turn the screw as Jamal Musiala scores an important insurance goal to seal a 3-1 Bayern victory.
He scored his 11th goal in 12 games for Bayern as the German Giants wore down Galatasaray and they were able to capitalize by putting the ball in the back of the net.
It has been tough sledding for Erik ten Hag as of late so it is quite the boost that Sergio Reguilon and Raphael Varane are now back in the XI for the club.
United: Onana, Dalot, Varane, Maguire, Reguilon, Amrabat, McTominay, Antony, Fernandes, Rashford, Hojlund
Copenhagen: Grabara, Jelert, Diks, Vavro, Ankersen, Goncalves, Falk, Lerager, Elyounussi, Classeon, Achouri
Salzburg conceded a penalty following Gourna-Douath's challenge and Calhanoglu's penalty was unstoppable to give Inter their lead back. Thuram and Darmian have entered the fray to ensure that this lead isn't given away.
Looking at United vs. Copenhagen
Most likely to score a goal: Bruno Fernandes - Given his recent exploits for club and country, Scott McTominay looks a tempting shout in this category but in what might well prove to be a tense, attritional affair it is generally United's captain who tends to deliver. Fernandes is averaging more than three shots in this season's Champions League and will surely have license to pull the trigger wherever he is on the pitch. -- James Benge
Salzburg has gotten a goal back! Gloukh fired in a finish from the edge of the box to score the leveler. Inter are still dominating the match but things could get very interesting if Salzburg can get another.
To say that the penalty spot has been an adventure for Icardi would be an understatement.
9/26: Icardi tries and misses a trick penalty kick in shocking fashion. After mulling over the kick in the 36th minute, Aktukoglu rolls the ball forward for Icardi to run up and shoot before sending the shot wide.
10/3: Icardi gets another chance against Manchester United in Champions League before missing. He made up for it by scoring from open play but it seemed like yet again, the woes from the spot would cost Galatasaray the game.
10/21: Icardi gets back his scoring touch from the spot in Turkey.
10/24: Always box office, Icardi chips in a panenka in order to level the score with Bayern Munich. Talk about unreal confidence!
After his woes from the penalty spot, Icardi sends Ulreich the wrong way to draw level and we've got quite a game in Turkey.
It has been an even match until this point but if Inter are provided with a chance to shoot, they'll take it as Frattesi split the defense to allow Sanchez to hit the back of the net.
Galatasaray got caught out defensively and Kingsley Coman took his shot with ease. It's a quick way to show Galatasaray that if they'd like to stay in this match, they may need to score five goals.
The matches are in full swing and we'll be here to keep you updated on what's happening.
It'll be tough sledding for the Austrian side as even with Inter rotating for the match, it will be tough to slow down Martinez and the attack.
Inter: Sommer, Pavard, de Vrij, Bastoni, Dumfries, Frattesi, Calhanoglu, Mkhitaryan, Agusto, Martinez, Sanchez
RB Salzburg: Schlager, Ulmer, Pavlovic, Solet, Dedic, Kjaergaard, Gourna-Douath, Bidstrup, Sucic, Simic, Gloukh
After already defeating Manchester United, can the Turkish side do it again toppling a European giant? Mauro Icardi will be ready to lead the line into battle in a match where Galatasaray can certainly get a result. Let's take a look at starting XIs
Galatasaray: Muselera, Boey, Sanchez, Bardakci, Karatas, Ayhan, Torreira, Tete, Aturkoglu, Zaha, Icardi
Bayern: Ulreich, Davies, de Ligt, Kim, Mazraoui, Kimmich, Laimer, Coman, Musiala, Sane, Kane
Matchday three is upon us and it's quite a day as teams begin to separate themselves in group stage play. The early slate features intriguing matches as Galatasaray can break out if they're able to nab a point off of Bayern Munich and Inter looks to keep the ball rolling against RB Salzburg. All eyes will be on the Premier League and Real Madrid in the last slate as Manchester United and Arsenal need victories and Los Blancos are facing one of the most fun teams in the world in Braga.
