The second and final set of games, to bring a close to matchday one of the 2022-23 UEFA Champions League group stage, brought goals, drama and entertainment.
In group A, Napoli were on a roll as they outclassed six-time champions Liverpool to record a famous 4-1 win at Stadio Diego Armando Maradona.
Piotr Zielinski scored twice as André Zambo-Anguissa and Giovanni Simeone also netted as Luciano Spalletti’s side raced to a commanding lead and Luis Díaz’s 49th minute strike would prove to only be consolation – in a game were the likes of Kvicha Kvaratskhelia impressed alongside Victor Osimhen, despite the Nigerian missing a penalty.
Ajax had earlier defeated Rangers 4-0, courtesy goals via Edson Alvarez, Steven Berghuis, Mohammed Kudus and Steven Bergwijn were all on the scoresheet for the Dutch champions.
Group B produced magic and entertainment as Atlético Madrid defeated FC Porto 2-1, in a game were all goals were scored in second half injury time.
Mario Hermoso netted for Atléti on 91 minutes but the Portuguese giants equalised through a Mateus Uribe penalty five minutes later.
However, Diego Simeone’s side would dramatically win the contest in the 11th minute of stoppage time thanks to Antione Griezmann’s goal.
Abakar Sylla’s 42nd minute goal helped Club Brugge record a 1-0 win against Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Jan Breydel Stadium.
Tagged as the ‘group of death’, group C the most goals from any group as FC Barcelona began their Champions League campaign with a bang, defeating Viktoria Plzen 5-1.
Robert Lewandowski bagged a hat-trick for the Catalan giants in his Champions League debut, in between Franck Kessié’s opener and Ferran Torres’ strike which completed the rout despite Jan Sykora’s goal for Plzen.
Meanwhile, the Guiseppe Meazza played host to the day’s big game as Bayern Munich visited Inter Milan.
Leroy Sané opened the scoring in favour of the Bavarians as the German latched onto a sublime pass from countryman Joshua Kimmich, to unleash a ferocious strike beyond Andre Onana and an own goal from Danilo D’Ambrosio in the 66th minute ensured Julian Nagelsmann’s side returned to Germany with the points.
In group D, Tottenham Hotspur marked their return to Europe’s elite competition with a triumph over French giants Olympique de Marseille.
A late brace from Champions League debutant, Richarlison, helped Antonio Conte’s team start their campaign on a good note.
In Germany, Europa League champions Eintracht Frankfurt went down 3-0 to Sporting CP following second half goals from Marcus Edwards, Francisco Trincão and Nuno Santos.
Wednesday’s matchday one results in full (07-09-2022)
Group A
Ajax 4-0 Rangers
Napoli 4-1 Liverpool
Group B
Atlético Madrid 2-1 FC Porto
Club Brugge 1-0 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Group C
FC Barcelona 5-1 Viktoria Plzen
Inter Milan 0-2 Bayern Munich
Group D
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-3 Sporting CP
Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 Olympique de Marseille
Tuesday’s matchday one results in full (06-09-2022)
Group E
Dinamo Zagbreb 1-0 Chelsea
RB Salzburg 1-1 AC Milan
Group F
Celtic 0-3 Real Madrid
RB Leipzig 1-4 Shaktar Donetsk
Group G
Sevilla 0-4 Manchester City
Borussia Dortmund 3-0 FC København
Group H
Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 Juventus
SL Benfica 2-0 Maccabi Haifa
