Real Madrid showcased their top talent to breathe new life into their Champions League title defense on Tuesday, securing a thrilling 3-2 victory against Atalanta, the Italian league leaders. The star trio consisting of Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham each found the back of the net, though Madrid had to endure a tense moment as Mateo Retegui missed a crucial opportunity in stoppage time, firing the ball over the goal when it seemed easier to score.
This match marked just the third victory for Madrid in the newly structured league phase of the Champions League, placing the prestigious club in 18th place among unseeded playoff positions. “This win holds great significance. Winning here isn’t something everyone accomplishes. We faced challenges and competed vigorously. Suffering is part of the Champions League experience,” stated Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti. He noted the difficulty in cracking the top eight but expressed hope as there are still two matches ahead to garner more points.
Liverpool, a six-time champion, leads the standings following a flawless run this season, having secured a 1-0 victory over Girona. Paris Saint-Germain also claimed a vital win, defeating Salzburg 3-0 to claim the final playoff position at 24th place. Bayer Leverkusen currently occupies the second position with a tight 1-0 win against Inter Milan, while Aston Villa stands third after their 3-2 triumph against Leipzig. The top eight teams will move directly forward to the knockout stage, while positions nine through 24 will compete in a playoff to continue their journey in the tournament.
Real Madrid faced mounting pressure after suffering three defeats in their first five league phase matches. Mbappe, who had been under scrutiny for his inconsistent performance since moving from PSG in the offseason, opened the scoring for Madrid in the 10th minute at Gewiss Stadium. He expertly controlled the ball and slotted it low into the goal to put Madrid 1-0 ahead, marking his 50th Champions League goal at the age of 25, making him the second youngest to achieve this milestone after Lionel Messi.
However, Mbappe had to be substituted before halftime due to an apparent injury, and Charles De Ketelaere brought Atalanta level with a penalty before the break. Yet, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham found the net within three minutes of each other in the second half, giving Madrid a firm hold on the match. Despite Ademola Lookman’s late goal reducing the deficit to 3-2, Madrid managed to cling to their lead until the final whistle.
Mohamed Salah also achieved his 50th Champions League goal in Liverpool’s match, successfully converting a penalty in the 63rd minute to help his team maintain their flawless record. Despite the win, head coach Arne Slot criticized his players’ performance, highlighting goalkeeper Alisson’s series of crucial saves that kept Girona from scoring. “While I’m satisfied with the results across the six games, tonight’s performance left much to be desired,” he remarked. Salah’s goal was his 16th in 22 appearances this season, while Girona found themselves at the bottom of the rankings with only one win in six attempts.
In another exciting match, Bayern Munich overwhelmed Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1, securing their spot in the automatic qualification for the round of 16. Michael Olise scored a sensational solo effort, marking his double for the game. Bayern’s strong performance came after initially trailing 1-0 following an early goal from Brazilian winger Kevin.
PSG demonstrated resilience with a much-needed victory, following a dismal start in the league phase that saw them securing just four points from five matches. The team’s performance against Salzburg was a confidence booster, with goals from Goncalo Ramos, Nuno Mendes, and Desire Doue helping them climb into playoff contention.
Bayer Leverkusen is back in form, continuing their momentum after a challenging start to their season and recording six consecutive victories across competitions. Their most recent match saw Nordi Mukiele’s last-minute goal ensure a 1-0 win against Inter, placing Leverkusen in second place with 13 points. Aston Villa, Inter, and Brest share the same point total, with Villa moving up after a three-match winning streak following a lengthy winless spell.
Brest, a surprise contender in their Champions League debut, sits fifth after defeating PSV Eindhoven 1-0. Sporting Lisbon couldn’t capitalize on an early lead against Club Brugge, resulting in a 2-1 defeat, leaving them in 12th place, while Dinamo Zagreb’s match with Celtic ended in a goalless draw, keeping both teams in the playoff positions.