On Wednesday, Erling Haaland continued his impressive scoring streak by scoring twice as Manchester City destroyed FC Copenhagen 5-0 in the Champions League. Meanwhile, Chelsea defeated AC Milan to raise their chances of making the round of 16 once again.
Holders Real Madrid held off a strong push from Ukrainians Shakhtar Donetsk to win 2-1 and extend their lead in Group F.
Despite a Lionel Messi goal, Paris Saint-Germain were held to a 1-1 tie by Benfica in Lisbon.
Haaland entered City’s match against Copenhagen at the Etihad Stadium having become the first player in Premier League history to score three consecutive home hat-tricks in Sunday’s rout of Manchester United.
The Norwegian scored his first goal on seven minutes with his weaker right foot before nudging in a rebound 25 minutes later.
The 22-year-old has now scored 28 goals in 22 Champions League outings, shattering Ruud van Nistelrooy’s record for most goals in the competition’s first 30 games.
Jack Grealish of City told BT Sport that he had “never seen anything like it in my life.”
“I was just giggling for the first and second goals.” He is constantly present.
“As I walked back, the keeper muttered something to me. ‘He’s not human!’ he exclaimed. ‘You’re telling me?’ I asked. Hopefully, he can maintain this form and lead us to victory.”
Visitor center-back With Haaland waiting behind him, Davit Khocholava put into his own net to make it three before halftime.
Haaland’s fourth City treble was denied when he was removed at halftime, but a Riyad Mahrez penalty and Julian Alvarez’s fourth goal for the club completed the thrashing.
Pep Guardiola’s men are three points clear of second-placed Borussia Dortmund in Group G and will qualify for the knockout stage with a win in Copenhagen next week.
Dortmund won 4-1 at Sevilla, with Jude Bellingham scoring for the third time in as many Champions League games.
The Spanish club reacted to the setback – and a disastrous start to the season that has landed them in 17th place in La Liga – by dismissing coach Julen Lopetegui shortly after the final whistle.