3 standout games from UEFA Champions League 2018-19 Matchday 1

FC Barcelona v PSV - UEFA Champions League Group B
La Pulga - scored a record breaking hat-trick

The UEFA Champions League 2018-19 has started greatly with 45 goals scored in the opening week. Many of the big teams starting their Champions League campaigns with wins, putting in solid performances in the process.

For some of the big teams it didn't end well, and some underdogs surely did pull off amazing results.

Nonetheless, lets get into it!


#1 Barcelona 4-0 PSV

FC Barcelona v PSV - UEFA Champions League Group B
A night to remember for Messi!

What a night for Barcelona, but an even better night for the captain Lionel Messi as he grabbed a hat-trick.

Messi scored his first goal with a delightful free-kick, this was his 8th free kick in 2018, and what a wonderful one it was. He also became the 2nd player ever to score in 14 consecutive seasons in the Champions League, after Raul Gonzalez.

Barcelona as usual dominated with 75 percent of the possession, and their opponents only had 25 percent possession.


#2 Manchester City 1-2 Lyon

Manchester City v Olympique Lyonnais - UEFA Champions League Group F
Fekir ensured City were beaten

A surprising loss for Manchester City who tasted defeat against Lyon at the Etihad of all places. Manchester City was poor defensively as Lyon made them pay for their poor mistakes at the back.

Pep Guardiola was not present on the sidelines as he was serving a one match UEFA suspension due to the havoc he caused last season in the Champions League game against Liverpool.

Maxwell Cornet opened the scoring for Lyon in the 26th minute, and then Fekir made it 0-2 in the 43rd minute. City pulled one back later on in the 2nd half, but it did not change the outcome of the game as Lyon took all 3 points in Manchester.

It was a poor game for Manchester City, and they will be looking for a better result next time as they visit Hoffenheim on Matchday 2.

#3 Young Boys 0-3 Manchester United

BSC Young Boys v Manchester United - UEFA Champions League Group H
Paul Pogba was MOTM against Young Boys

A great result for Manchester United as they blew Young Boys out of the water in Switzerland. Paul Pogba was the best player on the pitch as he bagged 2 goals and 1 assist.

United debutant Diogo Dalot put in a solid display defensively and offensively. Young Boys started the game positively as they were pressing United well and creating early chances. But United grew into the game as Paul Pogba gave them the lead in the 35th minute with an amazing finish with his left foot, sending the ball into the top corner.

Pogba doubled United's lead with a good penalty in the 44th minute, and Anthony Martial wrapped up the game in the 66th minute as United grabbed all 3 points in their opening fixture of the Champions League.

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Edited by Anthony Akatugba Jr.
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