The UEFA Champions League 2025/26 group stage has opened with dramatic upsets, late comebacks, and historic first wins as Europe’s giants and debutants clashed across the continent.
Qarabag FK have recorded their first-ever Champions League victory after overturning a two-goal deficit to beat Benfica 3-2 in Lisbon.
Also, Benfica struck early through Enzo Barrenechea and Vangelis Pavlidis, yet Qarabağ responded with goals from Leandro Andrade, Camilo Duran, and Oleksiy Kashchuk to complete a historic comeback.
The surprises
The result marked the first Champions League group stage win by an Azerbaijani club. Benfica, meanwhile, were left stunned after surrendering control at the Estádio da Luz.
Elsewhere, Arsenal defeated Athletic Club 2-0 in Bilbao, with substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard combining decisively. Mikel Arteta praised Martinelli’s instant impact off the bench.
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Union Saint-Gilloise, competing in their maiden group stage, shocked PSV Eindhoven 3-1 away. Promise David, Anouar Ait El Hadj, and Kevin Mac Allister scored.
In Turin, Juventus and Borussia Dortmund played out a chaotic 4-4 draw. Dusan Vlahovic struck twice while Lloyd Kelly headed the leveller in the 96th minute.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid came from behind to beat Marseille 2-1, with Kylian Mbappé converting two penalties after Timothy Weah’s opener. The victory was Madrid’s 200th in the competition – a record.
Tottenham Hotspur returned to the Champions League with a narrow 1-0 win over Villarreal, sealed by an early own goal. Thomas Frank’s side kept a fourth successive clean sheet.
Setting a highly unpredictable campaign, the opening night of the 2025/26 group stage therefore delivered shocks, comebacks, and milestones.
