Intense actions were witnessed in the UEFA Champions League on September 20, 2023, with players already penning their name in gold.
Teams are eschewing sublime brilliance, and football fans are already lapping up all the excitement available for them.
The 2023/24 UEFA Champions League promises to provide thrilling actions, non-stop excitement, and as always, a healthy dose of surprising results.
Let’s fill you in on how it went down on Wednesday, September 21, 2023, in the UEFA Champions League group stage.
Real Madrid 1-0 Union Berlin
The Santiago Bernabeu witnessed two teams with massive intensity and guts, as Real Madrid and Union Berlin appeared like they were going to settle for a draw.
However, with a litany of chances seen by Los Blancos, they left it late to score a decisive goal which pierced the hearts of fans of the German side.
Jude Bellingham’s goal was the decider, and the Englishman has continued his bright start to life with Carlo Ancelotti’s side.
Bellingham took his tally for the White Angels to 6 goals from 6 matches, scoring clutch goals that have been helpful to Real Madrid’s success on all fronts.
Galatasaray 2-2 FC Copenhagen
It seemed like the coast was clear for Copenhagen to secure a comfortable victory over their Turkish opponents, however, the game showed that it had drama install for teeming viewers.
FC Copenhagen went into a 2 goal lead, courtesy of goals from Mohamed Elyounoussi and Diogo Goncalves in the 35th and 58th minute.
However, late goals from Sacha Boey and Tete in the 86th and 88th minute saved Galatasaray from sinking to a defeat.
Arsenal 4-0 PSV Eindhoven
Following a 6-year absence in the UEFA Champions League, Arsenal returned with bang in the UEFA Champions League.
In a game they were utterly dominant, PSV Eindhoven couldn’t tame Mikel Arteta’s boisterous side, as they recorded a smashing 4-0 victory.
Bukayo Saka, Leandro Trossard, Gabriel Jesus, and Captain Martin Odegaard scored for Arsenal at the Emirates, with fans relishing UEFA Champions League football, for the first time since 2017.
Bayern Munich 4-3 Manchester United
This was the game of the night for Wednesday, September 20, 2023, in the UEFA Champions League, and it lived up to the billing with a noticeable scoreline.
Although, the scoreline is flattering to the Manchester United fan base, given Bayern Munich wastefulness in front of goal on the night.
The Red Devils traveled to Munich with the belief of possibly producing similar magic like the 1998/99 season, but they soon found themselves trailing by a seemingly irrecoverable scoreline.
However, Erik Ten Hag’s side can be commended for them ending the game with a respectable scoreline.
Leroy Sane put Bayern Munich ahead in the 28th minute, and his goal generated massive reactions, as it came about, due to an error from Andre Onana.
Serge Gnabry doubled Bayern Munich’s advantage, while Harry Kane, and Mathys Tel scored the fourth in stoppage time of the second half.
Rasmus Højlund halved the deficit for Manchester United in the 49th minute, scoring his first goal for the Red Devils in front of a packed Allianz Arena.
Carlos Henrique Casemiro scored two late goals in the 88th and 90+5 minutes to give Manchester United fans some pride, going into subsequent fixtures.
Benfica 0-2 RB Salzburg
Despite a penalty miss for the Austrian giants, they still defeated Benfica in comfortable fashion at the Estadio de Luz.
Karim Konate missed a penalty in the 3rd minute, but Roko Simic scored the opener in the 15th minute, 2 minutes after Benfica’s Antonio Silva was shown a red card.
Oscar Gloukh scored the 2nd in the 51st minute, to secure his side a 2-goal cushion and an excellent victory over the Portuguese side.
Sporting Braga 1-2 Napoli
The game was fiercely contested between the two sides, but the Neapolitans recorded a victory in their opening game of the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League.
Victor Osimhen was given the Man of the Match award for his remarkable contribution for Napoli across all 90 minutes, providing an assist.
Giovanni Di Lorenzo scored in the first minute of additional time in the second half, following an assist from Osimhen.
Bruma equalized for Portugal in the 84th minute, while Sikou Niakaté’s own goal 4 minutes later, helped Rudi Garcia’s side come out victorious on Wednesday, September 20, 2023.
Real Sociedad 1-1 Inter Milan
Both sides went neck and neck throughout the 90 minutes, and it was like Real Sociedad were going to grab a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan.
Brais Mendez took the home side in front, and the Nerazzurri looked like a tamed side in terms of the attacking face of things.
Simone’s side almost had a scare after Nicolo Barella was issued a red card in the 65th minute.
However, after consultation with the VAR, the red card was rescinded and Inter Milan heaved a sigh of relief.
Lautaro Martinez came up clutch for the Italy giants in the 87th minute, helping Inter Milan salvage a 1-1 draw in Spain.
Sevilla 1-1 RC Lens
This had the make of a Europa League fixture written all over it, but both sides definitely displayed exciting brands of football.
Lucas Ocampos took Sevilla into the lead in the 9th minute, following a nicely delivered cross from Ivan Rakitic.
In the 24th minute, Angelo Fulgini scored via direct free-kick, stunning the home supporters at the Ramón Sánchez Pizjuán stadium.
Both sides settled for a draw after 90 minutes, with a positive look at subsequent matches to come in Group B.
