Bayern Munich made a stunning statement on the opening night of the Champions League, hammering Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at the Allianz Arena. In an extraordinary performance, Harry Kane stole the show by scoring four goals, three of them from the penalty spot, as Bayern became the first team in the modern Champions League era to score nine goals in a single match.
Kane’s influence on the match was undeniable. Not only did he display clinical finishing, but his leadership and relentless attacking spirit set the tone for Bayern’s overwhelming dominance. Reflecting on his exceptional performance, Kane told broadcaster DAZN, “It was an amazing and crazy game. It’s the first time I’ve scored three penalties in a match. That doesn’t happen often.”
Bayern’s Attacking Onslaught
Bayern wasted no time asserting their dominance, with goals coming from all areas of the pitch. In addition to Kane’s four-goal haul, Michael Olise, Raphael Guerreiro, Leroy Sane, and Leon Goretzka each found the back of the net, contributing to one of the most lopsided results in Champions League history.
Dinamo Zagreb, to their credit, showed flashes of resilience. After trailing 3-0 at halftime, the Croatian side mounted a brief comeback, scoring twice in quick succession early in the second half through Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara. For a brief moment, it seemed as though the visitors might claw their way back into the game. However, Bayern swiftly put an end to their hopes by scoring six more goals after the 57th minute, making it clear that the Bavarian giants were in a different class.
Bayern’s victory was not only a testament to their attacking prowess but also to their tactical versatility under coach Vincent Kompany. The team’s ability to adapt quickly and ruthlessly punish any opposition mistakes highlighted why they are perennial contenders for European glory.
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This emphatic victory for Bayern also served as a fitting opening to the newly restructured Champions League. Under the new format, the tournament has expanded to 36 teams, all of whom are pooled into one giant league. Each team plays eight games against eight different opponents, a change from the traditional group stage format. The top eight teams at the end of the league phase will automatically advance to the knockout stages, while teams finishing between ninth and 24th will battle it out in play-offs to secure a spot in the last 16.
The new structure is designed to increase competition and excitement, ensuring that more teams remain in contention for longer periods. UEFA introduced the changes in part to counter the threat of a potential breakaway Super League, and the hope is that this format will inject fresh energy into Europe’s elite competition.
Mbappe Shines for Real Madrid
Elsewhere in Europe, the reigning champions Real Madrid began their campaign with a hard-fought 3-1 victory over Stuttgart at the Santiago Bernabeu. Kylian Mbappe, making his first appearance in the Champions League for Madrid, opened the scoring just after halftime. It was a dream debut for the French star, who joined Real in the summer and has quickly become a key figure for the Spanish giants.
Stuttgart, making their first Champions League appearance since 2010, refused to go down without a fight. Deniz Undav equalized midway through the second half, sending a wave of concern through the Madrid faithful. However, Madrid’s experience and quality shone through in the final stages, with Antonio Rudiger heading them back in front against his former club and Brazilian youngster Endrick sealing the win with a stoppage-time goal.
Liverpool’s Comeback Win
Liverpool also marked their return to Europe’s top competition with a 3-1 victory over seven-time champions AC Milan at the San Siro. Despite falling behind to an early goal from Christian Pulisic, Liverpool showed composure and grit to turn the game around. Ibrahima Konate headed in the equalizer, and Virgil van Dijk put the Reds in front before the break. Dominik Szoboszlai wrapped up the victory with a fine strike in the second half, securing an important win for Jurgen Klopp’s side.
Aston Villa’s Return to the Big Stage
Aston Villa, back in the Champions League after 41 years, made a triumphant return with a 3-0 win over Swiss champions Young Boys in Bern. Goals from Youri Tielemans, Jacob Ramsey, and Amadou Onana sealed a memorable victory for the 1982 European Cup winners. Villa boss Unai Emery expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating that his team wanted to honor the club’s proud European history, particularly following the recent passing of former Villa striker Gary Shaw.
Other Notable Results
In Turin, Juventus enjoyed a 3-1 victory over PSV Eindhoven, with Kenan Yildiz, Weston McKennie, and Nicolas Gonzalez all scoring for the Italian side. Sporting Lisbon also picked up a win, beating French side Lille 2-0 at home thanks to goals from Viktor Gyoekeres and Zeno Debast.
The Champions League action continues on Wednesday, with the highlight fixture being a rematch of last season’s final between Manchester City and Inter Milan. Fans across Europe are eagerly awaiting another night of high-stakes football in what promises to be a thrilling season under the competition’s new format.
