Champions League action saw Barcelona and Manchester City achieve significant victories, while Liverpool maintained their perfect record as Matchday 3 wrapped up on Wednesday with nine thrilling matches.
Raphinha dazzled with a hat trick in Barcelona’s 4-1 triumph, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal showcasing his talent by assisting the Brazilian’s third goal with a stunning long-range pass:
Other winners included Liverpool, Inter Milan, Lille, Dinamo Zagreb, and Feyenoord, while Atlético Madrid, Benfica, FC Salzburg, and Young Boys suffered defeats on their home turf.
Here are the most notable takeaways from the matches played on Wednesday.
Can Barcelona compete for the title this season?
Three years after Lionel Messi’s departure, the five-time European champions Barcelona appear to be emerging as serious contenders for the Champions League title once again.
On Wednesday, the Blaugrana delivered an impressive performance against Bayern Munich, solidifying their status in the prestigious club competition.
In recent seasons, Barça struggled to find their footing, especially during Messi’s final years. The infamous 8-2 loss to Bayern in the 2020 quarterfinals marked a turning point, signaling the decline of Barcelona’s most successful era.
Bayern went on to win the Champions League that year, led by coach Hansi Flick, who now finds himself at the helm of Barcelona. Currently, Barça leads Spain’s La Liga with a remarkable 9-1 record.
While Flick’s squad still has much to prove, their recent form suggests they can compete at the highest level. Despite setbacks like a 2-1 loss to Monaco and a league defeat to Osasuna, when at their best, Barcelona poses a formidable challenge to any opponent. Wednesday’s victory left little doubt about their capabilities.
Liverpool stays perfect with win in Germany
In their pursuit of silverware, Liverpool faced Leipzig on Wednesday, knowing that a win was essential to maintain their perfect record and match Aston Villa’s impressive 3-0 start in the Champions League.
Though the match was not without its challenges, Liverpool secured three crucial points. Darwin Núñez scored in the first half, ensuring that a header from Mohamed Salah crossed the line in the 27th minute, while the Reds’ defense effectively neutralized Leipzig’s attacks.
The Reds have now won eight consecutive matches across all competitions since suffering a surprising 1-0 defeat to Nottingham Forest on September 14, which remains their only loss this season.
A reminder from Manchester City
Manchester City’s September Champions League opener against Inter Milan—a rematch of the 2023 final—raised questions about Pep Guardiola’s squad’s readiness for another title push. However, their recent performances have silenced skeptics.
On Wednesday, City crushed Sparta Prague 5-0, following a dominant 4-0 win over Slovan Bratislava on October 1. While these victories may not carry the same weight against stronger opponents, the upcoming matches against Sporting Lisbon, Juventus, and Paris Saint-Germain will be crucial in determining their position heading into the knockout stage.
For now, the Sky Blues remain favorites among bookmakers, largely due to the presence of Erling Haaland, soccer’s most prolific striker, who netted two goals on Wednesday, with his first being a remarkable display of athleticism:
