When UEFA devised the Champions League’s updated format, it did so with the aim of adding more glamorous matches to the competition’s early stages.
Games don’t come much more glamorous than Liverpool vs. Real Madrid, and Wednesday’s standout matchup did not disappoint. Elsewhere, there was a dramatic comeback inspired by an American duo and controversy involving one of the competition’s dark horses.
Here are the main takeaways from Wednesday’s games.
Arne Slot continues to impress as Liverpool beats Real Madrid for first time since 2009
When Arne Slot took over as Liverpool boss this summer following the departure of club legend Jürgen Klopp, few would have believed he would win anything like 17 of his first 19 games in charge.
Wednesday’s 2-0 victory over Real Madrid is the standout moment of the Dutchman’s tenure so far, a game in which the Reds utterly dominated the reigning European champion.
Liverpool started fast, very nearly going in front in the fourth minute when Darwin Núñez’s shot was saved by Thibaut Courtois but rebounded off young defender Raúl Asencio, who had to clear the ball off the line.
Two more chances for Núñez came and went in the first half, either side of a brilliant tackle by Conor Bradley on Kylian Mbappé as the Frenchman ran menacingly towards goal.
The tackle ignited the Anfield atmosphere, and Liverpool carried the momentum all the way through to its first goal, which came in the 52nd minute when Alexis Mac Allister played a one-two with Bradley before shooting low past Courtois from inside the area.
Real Madrid had the perfect opportunity to get back into the game just after the hour mark when Andy Robertson fouled Lucas Vàzquez in the area, but Mbappé – who had a difficult evening – saw his penalty saved by Caoimhin Kelleher.
Just under 10 minutes later, it was Liverpool’s turn to pass up a golden chance, Mohamed Salah missing his own penalty after he was brought down by Ferland Mendy.
But the Reds would not be denied as substitute Cody Gakpo headed in a Robertson cross in the 76th minute to seal the win.
“It’s always good to win a game, and especially a big game because you know you face so many quality players,” said Slot in his post-match press conference.
“If we arrive in the last 16 or quarterfinals or wherever we can arrive to, and face them again and then we’re able to beat them, that would be maybe a bigger statement than this. But we are definitely happy with the win.”
