Champions League Matchday 1: Real Madrid, Man City and Dortmund open with wins

The 2026/27 UEFA Champions League began with goals, late drama and impressive performances from some of Europe's biggest clubs, as Real Madrid, Manchester City, Borussia Dortmund and Aston Villa all opened their league-phase campaigns with victories.

Kylian Mbappé and Erling Haaland both made immediate impacts, while Dortmund and Real Betis were involved in five-goal thrillers on an action-packed opening night.

There were also strong starts for Aston Villa and AEK Athens, with the Greek side marking their return to the Champions League proper with a narrow victory over debutants LASK.

Haaland strikes twice as Manchester City beat Porto

Erling Haaland was the standout performer for Manchester City, scoring both goals in a 2-0 victory over Porto.

The Portuguese side frustrated City for much of the first half, with goalkeeper Diogo Costa producing several important saves to deny Haaland, Phil Foden and Rayan Cherki.

City eventually found the breakthrough after the interval when Haaland rose to meet Matheus Nunes' cross and headed the visitors ahead. The Norway international then completed his brace in stoppage time, finishing from close range after being played in by Rayan Aït-Nouri.

The double took Haaland to 59 goals in 59 Champions League appearances, underlining his extraordinary scoring rate in Europe's premier club competition.

Player of the Match: Erling Haaland

Mbappé helps Real Madrid edge Inter

Real Madrid began their campaign with a 2-1 win over Inter in a contest that became increasingly tense after the visitors pulled a goal back. Mbappé opened the scoring in the 14th minute with a composed finish before Federico Valverde doubled Madrid's advantage nine minutes later.

Inter goalkeeper Josep Martínez was punished after losing possession following a back-pass, allowing Valverde to take advantage and make it 2-0. The Italian side created opportunities to get back into the game, with Thibaut Courtois making several important interventions on his 100th Champions League appearance.

Inter eventually reduced the deficit when Carlos Augusto finished from a Lautaro Martínez cross, but Madrid held on to begin the league phase with three points.

Player of the Match: Federico Valverde

Dortmund survive Villarreal thriller

Borussia Dortmund produced one of the night's most dramatic victories, defeating Villarreal 3-2 after all five goals arrived in the second half. Dortmund moved ahead through an own goal from Renato Veiga before Villarreal responded through Santiago Mouriño's powerful header.

Serhou Guirassy then took centre stage.

The Dortmund striker restored his side's lead after a move initiated by Jobe Bellingham before converting a penalty to put the German club 3-1 ahead. Villarreal pulled another goal back when Nicolas Pépé's deflected free-kick found the net, but Dortmund survived the late pressure.

The result extended Dortmund's impressive home record in the Champions League, with the club suffering only two defeats in their previous 24 home matches in the competition.

Player of the Match: Serhou Guirassy

Aston Villa hold off Club Brugge

Aston Villa also began with three points after a 3-2 victory away to Club Brugge. John McGinn opened the scoring with an 11th-minute curling finish, although Club Brugge responded quickly through Hugo Vetlesen.

Emiliano Buendía restored Villa's advantage before Nicolas Jackson scored his first goal for the club shortly before half-time.

The Belgian hosts refused to surrender, with Nicolò Tresoldi converting a penalty in the 61st minute. Tresoldi later struck the post, while Club Brugge also saw a late effort denied on the line as Villa survived a frantic finish.

Player of the Match: John McGinn

Real Betis complete comeback against Lille

Real Betis marked their return to the Champions League with an entertaining 3-2 comeback victory at Lille. The French side took control early through headers from Ayase Ueda and Alexsandro, with Marc Bartra scoring between the two goals to keep Betis within touching distance.

Bartra then scored again after half-time before Troy Parrott completed Betis' turnaround with a low finish. The visitors were forced to defend with 10 men for the closing stages after Ethan Mbappé was sent off, but Lille could not find an equaliser.

Player of the Match: Marc Bartra

AEK Athens defeat Champions League debutants LASK

AEK Athens secured a narrow 1-0 victory over LASK, with Răzvan Marin's first-half free-kick proving decisive. The Greek club had goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli to thank late on as LASK pushed for an equaliser.

Sasa Kalajdzic came close to levelling the contest but headed over, allowing AEK to secure their first Champions League victory in two decades.

Player of the Match: Răzvan Marin

Champions League Matchday 1 results

AEK Athens vs LASK 1-0

Club Brugge vs Aston Villa 2-3

Real Madrid vs Inter 2-1

Borussia Dortmund vs Villarreal 3-2

Porto vs Manchester City 0-2

Lille vs Real Betis 2-3

Haaland and Mbappé provide early statement

The opening night offered an early reminder of the attacking quality expected to dominate this season's Champions League.

Haaland immediately made headlines with his two-goal performance in Porto, while Mbappé also opened his European campaign with a goal for Real Madrid.

For Aston Villa, Dortmund and Real Betis, the significance was slightly different: all three demonstrated the ability to navigate difficult away contests, while AEK Athens began their campaign with a hard-fought clean sheet.

With the league phase only just underway, the opening results have already provided plenty of clues about which teams could emerge as serious contenders when the competition reaches its knockout stages.

SportsLigue