DIN
Dinamo Zagreb
1
FT
0
CHE
Chelsea
See Scores

Champions League takeaways: Mbappe shines as PSG hold on vs. Juventus, Benzema injured and Man City win

The group stage started on Tuesday, and it did not disappoint

The Champions League's first matchday is halfway over after eight matches on Tuesday. The contests brought 23 goals, numerous golazos, some concerning results, one worrying superstar injury and much more. PSG won the match of the day, beating Juventus 2-1 thanks to a Kylian Mbappe double, while Chelsea lost in the early slate, 1-0 at Dinamo Zagreb. Manchester City, Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Benfica were also winners on the day, while Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donestk are certainly the story of night after their unexpected victory at RB Leipzig.

Here are the scores, what you need to see, and what you need to know:

Schedule and scores

Dinamo Zagreb 1, Chelsea 0
Borussia Dortmund 3, FC Copenhagen 0
RB Salzburg 1, Milan 1
Real Madrid 3, Celtic 0
Shakhtar Donestk 4, RB Leipzig 1
PSG 2, Juventus 1
Manchester City 4, Sevilla 0
Benfica 2, Maccabi Haifa 0

PSG start hot ... fade down the stretch

PSG managed a 2-1 win over Juve that was more uncomfortable than it should have been. If it were not for Kylian Mbappe's selfish shot early in the second half, the game would have probably been done and dusted. But instead of playing a wide-open Neymar at the back post, he went for his hat trick and missed.

It was all part of a second half where PSG were at times outplayed by Juve, who got back into the match thanks to a header goal from American Weston McKennie. While PSG had 15 shots, Juve had 13 and had their chances to take a point from the match.

Despite Mbappe's poor judgment in that instance,  it doesn't minimize what he did in the first half. He scored twice by the 22nd minute, producing enough to help his team start off the group stage with a victory.

Here's his first goal off a naughty assist from Neymar:

All eyes on Karim Benzema as Real Madrid win

Reigning champions Real Madrid were 3-0 winners at Celtic, scoring all of them in the second half. While they were expected to beat the Scottish champions, the victory was soured by the injury to Karim Benzema. The French superstar striker was withdrawn after 30 minutes with what looked like a knee injury. It didn't appear to be contact related, and he did walk off under his own power before heading straight to the locker room. 

It remains to be seen as to how severe it is, but regardless, it's a concern for Carlo Ancelotti. Eden Hazard came on to replace Benzema and ended up scoring his first Champions League goal for the club. 

Erling Haaland does what he does

It was more of the same for Erling Haaland. Life in Manchester is going even better than expected as he's now got 12 goals in his first eight games for Man City. He scored twice at Sevilla on Tuesday in an easy 4-0 victory, and he's continuing to show why he is the most prolific striker in Europe at the moment. 

He's scored in five straight games in all competitions, three of which were games where he scored multiple goals. 

USMNT stars McKennie and Reyna show up

While Chrisitan Pulisic remains nothing but a bench player for Chelsea, both McKennie and Dortmund's Gio Reyna stepped up. Neither started, but both came on and quickly made an impact. With Juve down 2-0, McKennie came on at the break and gave his team a lifeline with this fine header goal:

Meanwhile, Reyna became the first American to have two assists in the same UCL game, grabbing one in either half in Dortmund's victory over FC Copenhagen after coming on in the 23rd minute for an injured Thorgan Hazard.

Displaced Shakhtar Donetsk stands strong

Ah, the feel-good story of the day. Just two weeks after the Ukrainian league finally returned for the first time since the start of Russia's invasion, Shakhtar Donestk pulled off an incredible 4-1 win at RB Leipzig on what was a historic night. 

For obvious reasions, this isn't the Brazilian-heavy Shakhtar team of seasons past, and as internationals have left the team, the roster features all but three Ukrainian players now. It's hard to separate out the sporting consequences of competing in the Champions League with the real world challenges that these players and their nation continue to endure, but for at least 90 minutes they offered, at the very least, a distraction and a way to feel good.

They will be playing their home UCL matches in Poland, and they've done enough after 90 minutes to believe they can make the group stage. Afterwards, the club's social media team showed off their national pride:

Golazo of the day

It's not even close. There were some great goals from Mbappe, Phil Foden and others, but Alex Grimaldo's stellar strike for Benfica from outside the box was the goal of the day. It had so much movement on it even Roberto Carlos would be like, "wow." 

Take a look at this one in all its glory:

Three teams that should be worried

Sevilla: Sure, it was Man City, but the defense made it even easier with poor positioning. With an alarming start in La Liga as well, Julen Lopetegui must be feeling the heat.
RB Leipzig: What in the world was that? Sure, Shakhtar were inspired, but RB Leipzig were stuck in second gear all night. A concerning trend.
Chelsea: Three straight road defeats. Remember when their defense was unbreakable? They've conceded in six straight games.

Three teams that should be thrilled

Shakhtar Donetsk: What's not to love? Inspiring performance that will add to their belief and make their fans smile. 
RB Salzburg: Good point against AC Milan in the end. The match could have gone either way, but they were sharp defensively as the visitors recorded 66% possession. They'll take that point all day.
Dinamo Zagreb: Defended Chelsea very well and scored a brilliant goal on the counter. In a tricky group, they are in first and fully believe they can escape it.

Live updates
(57)
See New Posts
Pinned

Final scores

Dinamo Zagreb 1, Chelsea 0
Borussia Dortmund 3, FC Copenhagen 0
RB Salzburg 1, Milan 1
Real Madrid 3, Celtic 0
Shakhtar Donestk 4, RB Leipzig 1
PSG 2, Juventus 1
Manchester City 4, Sevilla 0
Benfica 2, Maccabi Haifa 0

Pinned

Benfica with the goal of the day

You have to see this hit from Grimaldo for Benfica's second. A movement on the ball that would make Roberto Carlos smile. Take a look at this:

Pinned

Shakhtar about to pull off an upset!

The Ukrainian side have taken a 3-1 lead at RB Leipzig, and there are just 10 minutes to go. It's Mykhaylo Mudryk who puts in the third with a sweet finish to the bottom right of the goal from inside the box.

Pinned

Haaland at the double!

Gundongan finds Haaland wide open in the box, and it's easy a tap-in for the Norwegian as City lead Sevilla 3-0. Just so dominant.

Pinned

Modric's fine goal with the outside of his foot

Pinned

So much happening!

OK, the last few minutes have been crazy. Here's what to know:

  • Real Madrid were tied 0-0 with Celtic 55 minutes in, but two goals in five minutes (Vinicius Jr. and Luka Modric) have Los Blancos up 2-0.
  • RB Leipzig equalized at home against Shakhtar but then conceded less than two minutes later.
  • Phil Foden hasput Man City up 2-0 at Sevilla. 
Pinned

Goal Juventus! McKennie!

Weston McKennie scores! The American comes off the bench and heads home on a corner! Game on! Huge goal!

Pinned

Second halves underway!

Three games half resumed while PSG-Juve, Benfica-Maccabi Haifa and Celtic-Real Madrid are starting moments.

Pinned

UCL halftime scores

  • Man City 1, Sevilla 0
  • PSG 2, Juventus 0
  • Celtic 0, Real Madrid 0
  • RB Salzburg 1, Milan 1
  • Benfica 0,Maccabi Haifa 0
  • Shaktar Donestk 1, RB Leipzig
Pinned

One of the goals of the day

Take a look at what Okafor did for RB Salzburg did against AC Milan. A filthy turn and then a nutmeg on Maigan...Wow.

Pinned

👀 Bad news for Real Madrid 🚑

Karim Benzema is coming off with an injury. He'll be replaced by Eden Hazard. Looks like his knee. He's walking off by himself, though gingerly. He has immediately gone to the lockerroom.

Pinned

McGregor nearly puts Celtic in the lead!

The Scottish giants almost take the lead against the reigning champs! Check out this shot by McGregor, rocking off the left post!

Pinned

Mbappe at the double!

PSG lead 2-0, and it's Mbappe again! The Parisians are in full control with another fine finish from the French superstar! He rifles home in the box with astonishing power! 

Pinned

Stunning save by Donnarumma!

The Italian goalkeeper denies Milik at point-blank range with an incredible save! It was a powerful header from the Polish striker, but he keeps it out somehow! An amazing stop!

Pinned

⚽ Goal Shakhtar!

The Ukrainian side takes the lead at RB Leipzig! It's a blunder by Gulacsi as his poor touch hands the ball to Marian Shved, and he finishes into the open goal from a good 35 yards out!

Pinned

⚽ Goal PSG! Mbappe!

Five minutes in, the Parisians take the lead! Kylian Mbappe finishes an absolutely brilliant lofted pass from Neymar with a powerful shot that finds its way into the right side of the net! What a start!

Pinned

Games underway!

The six late games have all started, and five minutes in there isn't a goal just yet...

Pinned

Massive upset for Dinamo Zagreb!

Mislav Orsic scored in the 13th minute and Dinamo held on as Chelsea dominated possession but couldn't make it count for the rest of the match. Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang made his Chelsea debut but only had 20 touches as the team struggled to find him in 59 minutes of play. Another disappointing result for Thomas Tuchel as Chelsea's attacking woes continue to grow.

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:45 PM
Pinned

It's a 3-0 victory for Dortmund over Copenhagen

Two assists from Gio Renya from the bench as he played a great game entering when Thorgan Hazard who went down with an injury in the 23rd minute but the goalscoring was balanced. Marco Reus, Raphael Guerreiro, and Jude Bellingham all found the back of the net as Chelsea likely could've scored more goals in a dominating performance.

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:40 PM
Pinned

Chelsea are peppering the opposition goal 

But Livakovic is holding strong ad Dinamo Zagreb are only minutes from completing quite an upset victory to kick off their Champions League campaign. 

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:34 PM
Pinned

Copenhagen thought they had a consolation goal...

But it's judged to be offside. It's unfortunate as a goal could've given them hope for the next few matches but Dortmund will be happy that their clean sheet is intact.

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:33 PM
Pinned

30 minutes until the late games kick off

Six more games set to start in a half an hour. All eyes on PSG vs. Juventus as a clash between two teams that hope to contend.

Pinned

⚽ 83' That's three for Dortmund

A great team goal has seen Jude Bellingham put this game out of sight following a Gio Reyna assist!

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:27 PM
Pinned

More changes for Thomas Tuchel

Christian Pulisic has entered for Raheem Sterling who didn't even take a shot during his time on the field. Can the American winger spark Chelsea back into the match?

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:20 PM
Pinned

Almost a third for Dortmund

The Black and Yellow are in cruise control with 63 percent of possession so far. Brant forced Ryan into a good save but it doesn't seem like Copenhagen will be getting back into the match.

Chuck Booth
September 6, 2022, 6:19 PM
See More