![Barcelona's Raphinha celebrates with teammates after scoring their fifth goal at Benfica [Rodrigo Antunes/Reuters]](https://jambobet.news/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ggggg.jpg "ggggg")
Matchday 7 of the UEFA Champions League delivered unforgettable moments, electrifying comebacks, and decisive wins. Barcelona emerged victorious in a nine-goal spectacle against Benfica, Liverpool extended their perfect record, and other European powerhouses like Atlético Madrid and Atalanta solidified their campaigns. Let’s dive into the highlights from Tuesday’s matches.
Barcelona Triumphs in Nine-Goal Thriller Against Benfica
In what has been dubbed one of the tournament’s most exciting matches, Barcelona edged Benfica 5-4 in Lisbon. The match was a rollercoaster of emotions, with Benfica’s Vangelis Pavlidis netting a first-half hat-trick that left Barcelona on the ropes.
Raphinha’s incredible late winner
Flamingo’s thunderous volley @Heineken | #UCLGOTD— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) January 21, 2025
Despite trailing 3-1 at halftime, Barcelona’s resilience shone through. Robert Lewandowski converted two penalties, and Eric García headed in a crucial equalizer. The night belonged to Raphinha, who completed the comeback with a stunning stoppage-time goal, sealing the victory and keeping Barcelona in second place in the standings.
- Player of the Match: Raphinha (Barcelona)
Liverpool Stays Unbeaten with Victory Over Lille
Liverpool continued their flawless run, defeating Lille 2-1 at Anfield. Mohamed Salah opened the scoring with his 50th European goal for the Reds, showcasing his poise and experience. Although Jonathan David equalized for Lille after Aïssa Mandi received a red card, Harvey Elliott’s deflected strike secured Liverpool’s seventh consecutive win.
With this victory, Liverpool remains top of the league phase standings and has firmly established itself as the team to beat.
- Player of the Match: Mohamed Salah (Liverpool)
Atlético Madrid’s Determination Shines in Win Over Leverkusen
Atlético Madrid demonstrated grit and determination in a 2-1 comeback victory against Bayer Leverkusen. Piero Hincapie gave Leverkusen the lead just before halftime, and Atlético faced an uphill battle after Pablo Barrios was sent off early in the game.
— 433 (@433) January 21, 2025
Julián Alvarez proved to be the difference-maker, scoring twice in the second half to secure all three points. Despite playing with ten men for much of the match, Atlético’s resilience under Diego Simeone was evident as they moved closer to knockout stage qualification.
- Player of the Match: Julián Alvarez (Atlético Madrid)
Atalanta Dismantles Sturm Graz in Five-Goal Masterclass
Atalanta showcased their attacking prowess with a dominant 5-0 victory over Sturm Graz. Mateo Retegui opened the scoring, followed by goals from Mario Pašalić, Charles De Ketelaere, Ademola Lookman, and Marco Brescianini.
This comprehensive win not only boosted Atalanta’s confidence but also secured their place among the top teams vying for knockout stage qualification.
- Player of the Match: Charles De Ketelaere (Atalanta)
Monaco Edges Aston Villa with Early Strike
Wilfried Singo’s brave header in the eighth minute was enough to give Monaco a narrow 1-0 win over Aston Villa. Despite relentless pressure from Villa, Monaco’s defense, led by goalkeeper Radosław Majecki, stood firm. The result strengthens Monaco’s chances of progressing to the next stage.
- Player of the Match: Wilfried Singo (Monaco)
PSV Holds Off Crvena Zvezda in Five-Goal Encounter
PSV Eindhoven secured a crucial 3-2 victory over Crvena Zvezda in Belgrade, despite being reduced to ten men early in the second half. Luuk de Jong’s first-half brace and Ryan Flamingo’s strike gave PSV a comfortable lead before Flamingo’s dismissal sparked a comeback attempt from the hosts.
Cherif Ndiaye and Nasser Djiga scored for Crvena Zvezda, but PSV held on for the win, enhancing their position in the league phase standings.
- Player of the Match: Luuk de Jong (PSV Eindhoven)
Stuttgart Outclasses Slovan Bratislava
Stuttgart kept their knockout hopes alive with a convincing 3-1 win over Slovan Bratislava. Jamie Leweling scored twice, with Fabian Rieder adding a third to seal the victory. Slovan Bratislava’s Idjessi Metsoko scored their lone goal, but Stuttgart’s dominance ensured they walked away with all three points.
- Player of the Match: Jamie Leweling (Stuttgart)
Bologna Stuns Borussia Dortmund with Late Comeback
Bologna pulled off a stunning 2-1 comeback victory over Borussia Dortmund. Serhou Guirassy gave Dortmund an early lead with a well-taken penalty, but Bologna turned the game around with two quick goals from Thijs Dallinga and Samuel Iling-Junior. This historic win marked Bologna’s first-ever Champions League victory.
- Player of the Match: Thijs Dallinga (Bologna)
Juventus and Club Brugge Share the Spoils
In a tightly contested encounter, Juventus and Club Brugge played out a goalless draw. Both sides had opportunities to win, with Manuel Locatelli coming close for Juventus and Ferran Jutglà missing a key chance for Brugge. Despite the draw, both teams remain in contention for knockout qualification.
- Player of the Match: Federico Gatti (Juventus)
What’s Next on Matchday 8?
The final round of the league phase promises even more drama as teams fight for the remaining knockout spots. Here are some standout fixtures to watch on January 29, 2025:
- Barcelona vs. Atalanta: Can Barcelona maintain their momentum, or will Atalanta’s attacking form pose a challenge?
- PSV Eindhoven vs. Liverpool: Will PSV be the first team to stop Liverpool’s perfect run?
- Juventus vs. Benfica: A must-win clash with high stakes for both teams.
- Paris Saint-Germain vs. Manchester City: A heavyweight battle with potential title implications.
The Champions League league phase has set the stage for an exhilarating finish. Stay tuned as Europe’s elite battle it out for continental glory.
READ NEXT:
