Champions League Matchweek One: Michael Jordan loves Lamine Yamal, Incredible Skills and Rampant Bayern Munich
The first matchweek of the new Champions League season arrived with a bang, offering fans an exhilarating blend of world-class football, breakout performances, and the introduction of a new format. With 36 teams now competing instead of the traditional 32, the tournament has expanded, creating more opportunities for underdogs to shine and adding an extra layer of unpredictability to Europe’s most prestigious club competition.
Among the standout moments, Bayern Munich made an emphatic statement with a relentless performance, reminding everyone why they remain a formidable force in European football. Meanwhile, Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal stole the headlines, dazzling on the field with his incredible skill set. His performance even caught the attention of basketball legend Michael Jordan, who showered praise on the young star, highlighting Yamal’s growing global stature.
Champions League Matchweek One Analysis
Lamine Yamal impresses Michael Jordan
At Monaco’s Stade Louis II, basketball icon Michael Jordan made a rare appearance, drawn to witness Barcelona’s teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. The 17-year-old wonderkid continues to shock the football world, and on this night, he also dazzled the eyes of the global sports legend himself.
Despite Barcelona ultimately losing 2-1 to Monaco after Eric Garcia’s red card in just the 10th minute, Yamal was a beacon of hope. His equalizing goal, a display of pure brilliance, left the stadium in awe. His pace, technique, and composure belied his young age, and even though the Catalan side couldn’t hold on with ten men, Yamal’s star continued to rise, earning high praise from Jordan, who knows a thing or two about generational talents.
Michael Jordan is in attendance to watch Barcelona vs. Monaco in the Champions League! 🐐 pic.twitter.com/jj752cpM5w
— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) September 19, 2024
Bayern Munich score NINE – and Harry Kane becomes the top scoring Englishman in Champions League history
In Munich, Bayern Munich unleashed a devastating attacking display, crushing Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 in a game that could have easily ended in double digits if not for three disallowed goals due to offside calls. The Bavarians were in rampant form, completely dismantling their opponents after an initial scare.
Zagreb, trailing 3-0, struck twice in two minutes to momentarily claw their way back into the game. But any hope of a comeback was swiftly extinguished as Bayern unleashed a flurry of goals in the second half. Harry Kane, in particular, was unstoppable. Scoring four goals, he not only spearheaded Bayern’s attack but also etched his name in history as the top-scoring Englishman in Champions League history, surpassing Wayne Rooney. Kane’s clinical finishing and movement were on full display, reinforcing his status as one of Europe’s most lethal strikers.
Harry Kane has made history! ⚽️🔥
— 365Scores (@365Scores) September 17, 2024
He's just surpassed Wayne Rooney to become the all-time highest-scoring Englishman in UCL history with 33 goals! 🏴👑 pic.twitter.com/Y6OsSwY6He
Victor Boniface has some SERIOUS skill
Another standout moment came from Bayer Leverkusen’s 4-0 demolition of Feyenoord, with Nigerian striker Victor Boniface providing one of the most jaw-dropping pieces of skill of the matchday. Midway through the first half, Boniface delivered a moment of magic that had social media buzzing. On the edge of the box, the forward pulled off two nutmegs in quick succession, leaving defenders grasping at thin air.
But it didn’t stop there. As he shaped to shoot with his right foot, Boniface feigned the strike, seamlessly switching to his left to slip a no-look pass wide to Jeremie Frimpong, Thierry Henry-esque. Frimpong’s cross found Alex Grimaldo, who made no mistake with the finish to put Leverkusen up 2-0. Boniface’s dazzling footwork earned the admiration of his teammates, with Florian Wirtz even declaring it as his signature move. “I think he’s the best at doing it in the soccer world,” Wirtz said.
On this day in 2006, Thierry Henry pulled off this unique pass. Has to be up there with one of the best signature skill moves in football. pic.twitter.com/M9051jDUeB
— Ødegaard Enthusiast 💭 (@AFCTempo) January 14, 2019
David Raya’s incredible double save
Across in Italy, Arsenal had David Raya to thank for keeping them in their goalless draw against Atalanta. The Gunners were under pressure for much of the game, and in the second half, they nearly fell behind when Mateo Retegui stepped up for a penalty. Raya guessed right, diving to his left to palm away the spot-kick, but the ball bounced straight back to Retegui, setting him up for what seemed like a routine header into the open net.
Incredibly, Raya sprung back to his feet, stretching across the goal to make a stunning second save, keeping Arsenal level. His heroic double stop was the highlight of a gritty defensive performance, earning Arsenal a valuable point in a tough away fixture.
Liverpool saunter to a win in Milan
In Italy’s other marquee matchup, Liverpool put on a clinical display at the San Siro, defeating AC Milan 3-1 in a statement victory. Under new manager Arne Slot, the Reds have shown flashes of brilliance, and after suffering a surprise Premier League defeat to Nottingham Forest, they bounced back in style. Milan took an early lead, but Liverpool’s defense quickly turned the tide.
Ibrahima Konaté’s powerful header brought them level before Virgil van Dijk added a second to give them the advantage. Dominik Szoboszlai sealed the win late in the game with a composed finish, capping off a dominant display from the Merseyside club. Slot’s side looks well-equipped to mount a serious challenge both domestically and in Europe this season.
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter (X)
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