Champions League and Europa League Matchweek Two Review: Unstoppable Arsenal, Real Madrid suffer shock loss and Aston Villa mean business!
The second matchweek of the UEFA Champions League brought with it a fresh dose of excitement, unexpected twists, and standout performances. Arsenal continued their scintillating form with a commanding 2-0 victory over PSG, affirming their ambitions on Europe’s grandest stage.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid were left stunned after suffering a shock defeat at the hands of Lille, casting doubt over their campaign. Aston Villa, a force to be reckoned with this season, made a statement with a remarkable win over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena, turning heads and proving that their return to European football means serious business.
Champions League and Europa League Matchweek Two
Arsenal dispose of PSG with ease
Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal just keep getting better. The Gunners secured a comfortable 2-0 victory over PSG, with Bukayo Saka and Kai Havertz both on the scoresheet. Despite facing top-tier opponents like Manchester City, Tottenham, PSG, and Atalanta this season, Arsenal have yet to lose a game.
Arteta’s men controlled the match from start to finish, showing the ruthless edge required for a deep Champions League run. To cap the night off, Arteta was able to hand a debut to summer signing Mikel Merino, who finally saw action after being sidelined by injury during his first training session. Arsenal are looking every bit like title contenders this season.
Is it? pic.twitter.com/CFK5qD6Te0
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 2, 2024
The Mbappe battle ends with an unexpected outcome
In an unusual twist, it was Ethan Mbappe, not Kylian, who celebrated after Real Madrid’s shocking 1-0 loss to Lille. Although Ethan was unavailable due to injury, he led the dressing room celebrations as his club upset his brother’s team. Brotherly love, ay.
Lille’s victory over the 14-time Champions League winners has sent shockwaves across Europe, casting a tiny shadow over Real Madrid’s campaign. The Mbappe sibling rivalry will undoubtedly be a storyline to watch as the tournament progresses.
Lille isn't the only OBSTACLE this season for Real Madrid! 👀
— 365Scores (@365Scores) October 3, 2024
The next 4 UCL games will be very TOUGH for Carlo Ancelotti's team 😳
How many points will Los Blancos achieve? 🙄 pic.twitter.com/8Aoff3DiN8
Aston Villa mean serious business
Aston Villa have made their intentions in Europe crystal clear with a stunning 1-0 victory over Bayern Munich at the Allianz Arena. Jhon Durán, the 20-year-old striker who was nearly out the door this summer, grabbed the headlines with a match-winning goal.
Durán, who has only played 297 minutes in all competitions this season, now boasts an extraordinary strike rate, averaging a goal every 49.5 minutes. This performance cements Villa as a team to fear in this year’s competition, and Durán as one of the most dangerous super-subs in Europe.
Angel di Maria rolls back the years
Angel Di Maria turned back the clock in a dazzling display as Benfica demolished Atletico Madrid 4-0. The Argentinian veteran, who has been instrumental in Benfica’s back-to-back Champions League wins, scored and constantly tormented the Atletico defense. Alongside Nicolás Otamendi, Di Maria has been the heartbeat of a Benfica side that has now beaten both Feyenoord and Atletico Madrid. With a favorable fixture against Feyenoord up next, Benfica are positioning themselves as dark horses, though tougher Champions League challenges against Bayern Munich, Barcelona, and Juventus loom on the horizon.
Dortmund score SEVEN
It was a nightmare for Glasgow’s football clubs this week as Celtic suffered a humiliating 7-1 defeat to Borussia Dortmund, while Rangers were humbled 4-1 at home by Lyon. Dortmund were relentless, with Karim Adeyemi scoring a hat-trick as Celtic simply had no answers. The German side put on a masterclass in ruthlessness, and with this kind of firepower, they could be a serious threat in the competition. For Celtic, it’s back to the drawing board after a brutal lesson from one of Europe’s elite.
Manchester United are held in a thriller in Portugal
Manchester United were left clinging to a point after a dramatic 3-3 draw against Porto. Erik ten Hag’s side squandered a two-goal lead, and with defeat looming, Harry Maguire’s late header spared them from a crushing loss.
While the result eases a minuscule amount of pressure on Ten Hag, United’s defensive frailties remain glaring. They’ve now conceded two or more goals in five consecutive European matches and thrown away leads in four of those. Despite scoring consistently, United’s inability to close out games continues to raise questions about their ability to compete at the top level. As their Premier League struggles persist, Ten Hag’s future at Old Trafford remains uncertain.
By Nicky Helfgott / @NickyHelfgott1 on Twitter (X)
Keep up with all the latest Champions League stats & latest news on the 365Scores website and app!
