FC Barcelona and seven other clubs took a step forward in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday. Matchday 3 began with a goalless draw in Kazakhstan between Kairat and Pafos (0-0), along with Barça's thrashing of Olympiacos (6-1).
The team led by Hansi Flick won by the largest margin of the day (5 goals), tied with Paris Saint-Germain. Luis Enrique's squad crushed Bayer Leverkusen in Germany (2-7) and maintain a perfect record in the group stage, along with the lead in the standings.
| MATCH | RESULT |
|---|---|
| Kairat vs Pafos | 0-0 |
| Barça vs Olympiacos | 6-1 |
| Newcastle vs Benfica | 3-0 |
| PSV vs Nápoles | 6-2 |
| Leverkusen vs PSG | 2-7 |
| Union St. Gilloise vs Inter | 0-4 |
| Copenhagen vs Dortmund | 2-4 |
| Villarreal vs Man. City | 0-2 |
| Arsenal vs Atlético | 4-0 |
Barça and PSG Showcase Their Offensive Prowess
In Montjuïc, Barça did their homework thanks to a 'hat-trick' from Fermín López, a double from Marcus Rashford and another goal from a penalty by Lamine Yamal. The 'culés' went into halftime 2-0 up thanks to the man from Huelva's double, but Ayoub El Kaabi, from a penalty, reduced the deficit in the 53rd minute.
However, Santiago Hezze's expulsion for a second yellow card dashed any hopes of a comeback for José Luis Mendilibar's team. With the victory, Barcelona reaches 6 points, after two wins and a single defeat against PSG (1-2).
The Parisian team, meanwhile, won authoritatively against Kasper Hjulmand's men in a great match in Germany. William Pacho put the Gauls ahead in the 7th minute, while Aleix García, from a penalty, made it 1-1 in the 38th minute.
Desiré Doué (2) and Kvaratskhelia, however, scored 3 goals before halftime to set Paris on the path to victory. The match, however, was already ten against ten due to the expulsions of Robert Andrich (min. 33) and Illya Zabarnyi (min. 37). Although Aleix García himself scored again for the home side in the 54th minute, Nuno Mendes, Dembélé, and Vitinha closed out the historic 2-7.
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Arsenal, PSV, Newcastle, and Inter Also Won by a Landslide on Tuesday
Another club that showcased its offensive power on Tuesday was Arsenal. After an even first half in London, the 'Gunners' crushed Atlético de Madrid (4-0) with a flurry of 13 minutes and four goals in the second half against a 'Colchoneros' side lacking reaction.
Gabriel Magalhaes opened the scoring in the 57th minute for Kikel Arteta's side, triggering the collapse of the 'rojiblanca' defense. Gabriel Martinelli extended the lead in the 64th minute, and Viktor Gyökeres, with a double in the 67th and 70th minutes, completed the rout for an Arsenal side that continues with a perfect record (9).
No less crushing was the defeat of Naples in Eindhoven. The current Italian champion was thrashed by PSV (6-2) after collapsing in the final minutes due to the expulsion of Lorenzo Lucca. Scott McTominay put the Parthenopean team ahead in the first half, but an own goal by Buongiorno started the Neapolitan disaster.
Saibari put PSV ahead before the break, while a double from Dennis Man dashed Antonio Conte's side's hopes in the second half. Although McTominay pulled one back in the 86th minute, Pepi and Driouech completed the rout with a pair of goals in the following two minutes.
Much more comfortable was the victory of Inter Milan. The 'nerazzurri' thrashed Union Saint Gilloise in Belgium (0-4) with goals from Dumfries, Lautaro, Çalhanoglu, and Esposito. The Italians, for now, are, along with PSG and Arsenal, the only ones with a full record of victories in the group stage.
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Newcastle, Dortmund, and Manchester City Also Celebrated on the Day
Others who won away on Tuesday were Borussia Dortmund and Manchester City. The Germans thrashed Copenhagen in Denmark (2-4), while Pep Guardiola's team did their homework at El Madrigal against Villarreal (2-4). Newcastle, meanwhile, also confidently did their homework at home against Benfica (3-0).
On Wednesday, two other Spanish clubs will see action. Athletic seeks its first victory in Bilbao against Qarabag, while Real Madrid will look to match the line of PSG, Inter, and Atlético at the Santiago Bernabéu against Juventus.
All of Wednesday's Champions League Matches
- Athletic vs Qarabag (18:45 CEST)
- Galatasaray vs Bodo/Glimt (18:45 CEST)
- Chelsea vs Ajax (21:00 CEST)
- Real Madrid vs Juventus (21:00 CEST)
- Sporting CP vs O. Marseille (21:00 CEST)
- AS Monaco vs Tottenham (21:00 CEST)
- Atalanta vs Slavia Prague (21:00 CEST)
- Frankfurt vs Liverpool (21:00 CEST)
- Bayern Munich vs Brugge (21:00 CEST)