by Martyn Wood
Paris – Kylian Mbappe and Erling Haaland led Paris Saint-Germain and Manchester City to Champions League group stage victories on Tuesday, but Chelsea suffered a shocking 1-0 loss at Dinamo Zagreb.
Despite losing Karim Benzema to injury, Real Madrid began their championship defense with a 3-0 victory over Celtic despite at times relying on good fortune.
Mbappe demonstrated why PSG was so keen to keep him at the end of last season, when he appeared to be leaving for Real, by scoring both goals in PSG’s 2-1 home triumph against Juventus, thereby launching the French champions’ pursuit of the most prestigious trophy in European club football.
Mbappe told Canal Plus, “We played well and won under a wonderful atmosphere at home.”
“This is why you participate in the Champions League: to compete against the best teams. We adore this type of environment; contests in which you must demonstrate character.”
In the fifth minute at the Parc des Princes, the France forward volleyed Neymar’s exquisite cross past Mattia Perin before adding another brilliantly-worked goal in the first half.
First time in his career that Kylian Mbappe has scored in five consecutive #UCL games pic.twitter.com/OuYtyZ8PMM
September 6, 2022: — SuperSport Football (@SSFootball)
Weston McKennie’s header brought Juventus back into the game, but PSG held on to tie Benfica in Group H. Rafa Silva and Alex Grimaldo scored for the Portuguese team in their 2-0 win over Maccabi Haifa.
Pep Guardiola has cautioned Haaland that he cannot single-handedly lead City to Champions League gold this season, but Haaland continued his sensational form for his new team with two goals in their 4-0 thumping of Sevilla.
“He has an extraordinary sense of direction. We have an excellent goal-scoring record, and we intend to keep it up “said Guardiola.
Haaland, who had had scored 10 goals in six Premier League matches, pushed City in ahead on a Kevin De Bruyne pass after 20 minutes in Spain.
At the hour mark, Phil Foden extended the advantage before Haaland scored again. The fourth goal scored by Ruben Dias exacerbated Sevilla’s woes.
Haaland will face his former team Borussia Dortmund the following week. Dortmund defeated FC Copenhagen 3-0 earlier in Group G play.
Haaland ain’t going away 😤
It’s the striker’s 24th #UCL goal in just 20 matches, which is insane.
Live streaming available at: https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/ 6TNLZvEPNi
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) (Twitter) on September 6, 2022
Marco Reus and Raphael Guerreiro scored in the first half, while 19-year-old England international Jude Bellingham scored the game’s last goal.
Celtic were left to lament their failure to capitalize on a strong start against Real in Glasgow, as Callum McGregor hit the crossbar before the Spanish giants made their experience pay.
Vinicius Junior, who scored the game-winning goal in last year’s championship game, opened the scoring after 56 minutes, and Luka Modric shortly added a second goal.
As a substitute for the ill Benzema, Eden Hazard scored his first goal for the club since January to seal the victory.
“It was like two games,” Ancelotti told BT Sport. “In the first half, we struggled with the intensity, but in the second half, we were in charge.”
“We were not shocked (by Celtic’s beginning). We knew they were capable of a rapid start. We were fortunate in that they hit the goalpost.”
In the other Group F match, Shakhtar Donetsk dominated RB Leipzig with a 4-1 victory in Germany.
Due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Shakhtar did not play any competitive matches this year until August 23. They have not played in their home city since 2014.
Since FIFA permitted foreign players and coaches to suspend their contracts and leave the club, they have lost many significant players.
Marian Shved scored two goals on his debut, sandwiching Mohamed Simakan’s equalizer. Mykhaylo Mudryk and Lassina Traore ensured Shakhtar’s victory.
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s debut for Chelsea in the Champions League was wrecked by Dinamo Zagreb. Chelsea’s Champions League campaign got off to a terrible start.
Chelsea falls behind
Dinamo Zagreb counters with lightning speed, and Orsic finishes well!
Watch live coverage of #UCL at https://t.co/0BMWdeEYT3 pic.twitter.com/0a7Lh0crBw
— SuperSport (@SuperSportTV) (Twitter) on September 6, 2022
After being drawn against Dinamo, Red Bull Salzburg, and AC Milan, Thomas Tuchel’s squad was anticipated to breeze through Group E.
However, their mission may not be that straightforward after Mislav Orsic’s first-half goal punished the Blues’ careless performance.
Tuchel is under pressure to deliver trophies after spending $250 million on new players since the end of the previous campaign.
“Clearly, we are not where we need to be or where we can be. Therefore, I and we are responsible for finding solutions. Currently, everything is lacking “said Tuchel.
Alexis Saelemaekers equalized Noah Okafor’s first-half goal for the hosts to earn a 1-1 draw for the Italian champions in Salzburg.