The UEFA Champions League knockout phase kicked off with thrilling encounters on Tuesday, as defending champions Real Madrid secured a dramatic 3-2 first-leg victory over Manchester City, while Paris Saint-Germain and Borussia Dortmund took commanding leads in their respective ties.
Bellingham’s Late Winner Seals Madrid Victory Over City
Jude Bellingham celebrates following the UEFA Champions League Knockout Play-off first leg match between Manchester City and Real Madrid C.F. at Manchester City Stadium. (Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images)
Real Madrid emerged victorious in a pulsating clash against Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium, thanks to a 92nd-minute winner from Jude Bellingham.
The holders fought back twice before snatching a comeback win in stoppage time.
City’s Erling Haaland opened the scoring in the 19th minute, volleying home after Josko Gvardiol set him up.
The goal was confirmed after a lengthy four-minute VAR check for offside.
Kylian Mbappé equalized in the 60th minute, bundling in a rebound from a free kick.
Haaland restored City’s lead in the 80th minute with a penalty, awarded after Dani Ceballos fouled Phil Foden.
However, Brahim Díaz capitalized on Ederson’s poor clearance to level the score before Bellingham clinched victory by tapping in Vinícius Júnior’s cross.
“I’m very happy for the win, for the team’s work, we played a very complete game and I think it was a really good performance,” Díaz said.
“I’m happy for the goal and for helping the team … I feel we played a great match, it’s not easy here, against a pretty good team … But there’s still the second leg and the work is not finished.”
Carlo Ancelloti had a different view of the win.
“We deserved the win. That’s the correct way. The season starts now for us”.
While Guardiola blamed the loss to bad decisions.
“Many times this has happened this season… many times. It’s just bad decisions, that’s all”
Madrid and City, having failed to qualify automatically for the round of 16 in the new league-phase format, now face a decisive second leg on February 19 at the Santiago Bernabéu.
PSG Dominate Brest with Dembélé Brace
Ousmane Dembele reacts after scoring during the UCL 2024/25 Knockout Play-off First Leg match between Stade Brestois 29 and PSG at Stade De Roudourou. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier – PSG/PSG via Getty Images)
Paris Saint-Germain seized control of their tie with a commanding 3-0 first-leg win over Brest, marking only the second-ever all-French clash in Champions League history.
Vitinha gave PSG the lead in the 21st minute, converting a penalty after Pierre Lees-Melou handled the ball. Brest nearly responded when Abdallah Sima’s header struck the post.
Ousmane Dembélé doubled PSG’s lead in first-half stoppage time, cutting inside and beating the keeper at the near post.
He then secured his brace in the 66th minute, pouncing on a loose ball in the box.
Dembélé’s impressive run continues, with 18 goals in his last 11 matches.
PSG extended their unbeaten record against Brest to 31 matches, with the second leg set for February 19 at the Parc des Princes.
Juventus Edge PSV in Tight Contest
Weston McKennie during the UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off 1st leg match between Juventus and PSV Eindhoven. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)
A late goal from substitute Samuel Mbangula handed Juventus a 2-1 win over PSV Eindhoven in a closely contested first-leg encounter.
Weston McKennie put Juve ahead in the 34th minute with a thunderous strike, following persistent play from Federico Gatti.
PSV equalized in the 55th minute when Ivan Perišić coolly finished after a blocked shot fell to him.
With eight minutes remaining, Francisco Conceição’s cross forced PSV keeper Walter Benítez into a save, but Mbangula reacted quickest to slot home the winner.
The second leg will take place on February 19 in Eindhoven, with both sides still in contention for a last-16 spot.
Dortmund Outclass Sporting CP in Lisbon
Serhou Guirassy celebrates after scoring against Sporting CP. (Photo by Gualter Fatia/Getty Images)
Borussia Dortmund took a major step toward the round of 16 with a convincing 3-0 win over Sporting CP in Lisbon.
Champions League top scorer Serhou Guirassy broke the deadlock in the 60th minute, heading home his 10th goal of the competition. He then set up Pascal Groß to double the lead in the 68th minute.
Karim Adeyemi rounded off the scoring in the 82nd minute with a swift counter-attack, marking a successful European debut for Dortmund’s new coach, Niko Kovač.
Sporting had their chances, with Maxi Araujo hitting the crossbar early on, but they struggled to break through Dortmund’s defense.
The second leg in Germany next week will require a monumental effort from Sporting to overturn the deficit.
Playoff Day 1 1st Leg Full-Time Results
Brest 0-3 Paris Saint-German
Manchester City 2-3 Real Madrid
Sporting CP 0-3 Dortmund
Juventus 2-1 PSV
Upcoming Fixtures
The second-leg ties will take place on February 19, with high stakes for teams aiming to secure a place in the round of 16.
