The UEFA Champions League delivered one of its most thrilling matchdays in recent memory, as Bayern Munich and Real Madrid maintained perfect starts while Liverpool and Chelsea ran riot in a week that saw a record 71 goals scored.
In Munich, 17-year-old Lennart Karl announced himself on the European stage, becoming Bayern’s youngest-ever scorer in the competition as the Bundesliga champions swept aside Club Brugge 4–0. Karl’s curling opener set the tone before Harry Kane, Luis Díaz, and Nicolas Jackson completed the rout.
Meanwhile in Madrid, Jude Bellingham’s calm finish secured a 1–0 victory over Juventus, keeping Los Blancos’ 100% record intact. Bellingham reacted quickest to slot home a rebound after Vinícius Júnior’s shot struck the post, while Thibaut Courtois stood tall to deny Dušan Vlahović at the other end.
In England, it was a night of fireworks. Chelsea thrashed Ajax 5–1 at Stamford Bridge, capitalising on a first-half red card for Kenneth Taylor. Three penalties — converted by Enzo Fernández, Estêvão, and Marc Guiu — and a strike from Tyrique George sealed a statement win for Mauricio Pochettino’s side.
At the same time, Liverpool rediscovered their rhythm, hammering Frankfurt 5–1 away from home. Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté both scored headers as Arne Slot’s men dominated, ending a four-match losing streak in all competitions.
Check out the stats behind Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt in the UEFA Champions League.
Elsewhere, Barcelona were unstoppable at Camp Nou, crushing Olympiacos 6–1 thanks to a Fermín López hat-trick, while Arsenal produced a commanding 4–0 win over Atlético Madrid, with Viktor Gyökeres scoring twice.
Paris Saint-Germain delivered the most emphatic performance of the week, dismantling Leverkusen 7–2 in Germany. Ousmane Dembélé marked his return from injury with a goal, as Nuno Mendes and Vitinha rounded off a stunning attacking display.
There was also joy for Inter Milan, who stayed perfect with a 4–0 victory over Union SG, and Manchester City, who ended a five-match winless run in Europe by defeating Villarreal 2–0 through goals from Erling Haaland and Bernardo Silva.
After three matchdays, Bayern, Real Madrid, Inter, Arsenal, and PSG top their groups with nine points each — a sign of both dominance and the growing gulf between Europe’s elite and the rest.
With Matchday 4 fast approaching in early November, the stakes are rising — and if this week’s drama is anything to go by, the Champions League may just be saving its best for last.
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