Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League delivered an exhilarating night of football on Tuesday, with dramatic comebacks, emphatic victories, and record-breaking performances. Feyenoord’s remarkable 3-3 comeback against Manchester City highlighted the evening, while Inter Milan and Barcelona secured crucial wins to maintain their strong campaigns. Atalanta and Atlético Madrid lit up the scoreboard with six-goal performances, and Bayern Munich edged Paris Saint-Germain in a tightly contested clash. Here’s a comprehensive roundup of all the action.
Feyenoord’s Stunning Comeback Against Manchester City (3-3)
Manchester City seemed poised for a comfortable victory after taking a commanding 3-0 lead against Feyenoord. Erling Haaland scored twice, and İlkay Gündoğan added a deflected goal to put the hosts in control. However, Feyenoord refused to bow out quietly.
Man City are the first team in Champions League history to lead by three goals after 75 minutes and not go on to win. pic.twitter.com/KBSE2RUEn1
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2024
Anis Hadj Moussa capitalized on defensive errors to pull one back, Santiago Giménez reduced the deficit further with a close-range finish, and Dávid Hancko completed the comeback with a thundering header from Igor Paixão’s cross. The draw keeps City’s Champions League hopes alive but underscores their recent defensive vulnerabilities.
Player of the Match: Anis Hadj Moussa (Feyenoord)
Barcelona Shine as Lewandowski Reaches 100 UCL Goals (3-0 vs. Brest)
Robert Lewandowski starred for Barcelona in their dominant victory over Brest, scoring twice and reaching 100 Champions League goals. His first came from the penalty spot, marking his milestone, while his second showcased his clinical finishing late in the game. Dani Olmo added another with a brilliant individual effort, as Barcelona extended their unbeaten streak at home to 11 games across all competitions.
Player of the Match: Pau Cubarsí (Barcelona)
Inter Milan Top the Group with Narrow Win Over Leipzig (1-0)
Inter Milan’s disciplined performance against RB Leipzig secured their spot atop the group. Castello Lukeba’s unfortunate own goal off Federico Dimarco’s free-kick sealed the victory. Inter’s defensive resilience was once again on display, as they recorded their fifth consecutive clean sheet in the competition.
Player of the Match: Piotr Zieliński (Inter)
Bayern Munich Continue Winning Streak with Slim Victory Over PSG (1-0)
Minjae Kim’s powerful header from a Joshua Kimmich corner ensured Bayern Munich edged Paris Saint-Germain. Despite Ousmane Dembélé’s red card reducing PSG to ten men, the French side held firm but struggled to create meaningful chances. Bayern’s disciplined defensive structure extended their winning streak across all competitions.
Player of the Match: Minjae Kim (Bayern)
Atlético Madrid’s Six-Goal Masterclass in Prague (6-0 vs. Sparta Praha)
Atlético Madrid delivered a scintillating performance to crush Sparta Praha in Prague. Julián Alvarez was the star of the show, scoring twice, including a sublime free-kick. Marcos Llorente, Antoine Griezmann, and Ángel Correa also found the net in a relentless attacking display that keeps Atlético in contention for a top spot.
Player of the Match: Julián Alvarez (Atlético Madrid)
Atalanta Demolish Young Boys with Six-Goal Thriller (6-1)
Atalanta lit up the scoreboard in Bern, delivering a resounding victory over Young Boys. Mateo Retegui and Charles De Ketelaere both bagged braces, while Sead Kolasinac and Lazar Samardžić added to the tally. Atalanta’s dynamic attack proved too much for the Swiss side, maintaining their position as group leaders.
Player of the Match: Mateo Retegui (Atalanta)
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Arsenal Dominate Sporting CP in Lisbon (5-1)
Arsenal’s attacking prowess was on full display as they overwhelmed Sporting CP. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring, Kai Havertz doubled the lead with a well-crafted team goal, and Gabriel Magalhães added a header before halftime. Despite Sporting’s brief resurgence with a goal from Gonçalo Inácio, Bukayo Saka’s penalty and Leandro Trossard’s header sealed an emphatic win.
Player of the Match: Bukayo Saka (Arsenal)
“We wanted to make a statement.”
Mikel Arteta is delighted with Arsenal’s response this week after a rocky period of form
@Becky_Ives_ pic.twitter.com/AvNiVWPPRM
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) November 26, 2024
Bayer Leverkusen’s Five-Star Performance Against Salzburg (5-0)
Bayer Leverkusen cruised to victory over Salzburg with a commanding display. Florian Wirtz was the standout performer, scoring twice, including a penalty and a composed finish. Alejandro Grimaldo added a stunning free-kick, while Patrik Schick and Aleix Garcia rounded off the scoring.
Player of the Match: Florian Wirtz (Leverkusen)
AC Milan Survive Bratislava Scare (3-2)
AC Milan edged out Slovan Bratislava in a thrilling encounter. Christian Pulišić opened the scoring, and Rafael Leão restored Milan’s lead with a sublime chip after Bratislava’s equalizer. Tammy Abraham capitalized on a defensive error for Milan’s third, and despite a late push from the hosts, Milan held on for a vital win.
Player of the Match: Rafael Leão (Milan)
Tuesday’s results showcased the unpredictable nature of the Champions League, with stunning comebacks, historic milestones, and masterclass performances. As Matchday 6 approaches, the stakes continue to rise for Europe’s top clubs.
