Liverpool lose at Galatasaray, Chelsea edge Benfica, spurs fight back as CL shocks continue
The Champions League delivered another night of high drama as Liverpool fell to defeat in Istanbul, Chelsea edged past Jose Mourinho’s Benfica, and Tottenham fought back for a hard-earned draw in Norway.
At the Rams Park Stadium, Liverpool endured a bruising evening against Galatasaray, losing 1-0 thanks to Victor Osimhen’s decisive penalty. To compound their misery, goalkeeper Alisson Becker was forced off injured, raising fresh concerns for Jürgen Klopp as his side’s European campaign stutters. The Turkish champions capitalised on a raucous atmosphere and Liverpool’s defensive lapses, with Osimhen coolly converting from the spot to secure a famous win.
Meanwhile in London, Chelsea managed to squeeze past Mourinho’s Benfica with a narrow 1-0 victory at Stamford Bridge. The only goal came in scrappy fashion, with Benfica’s Rios inadvertently turning the ball into his own net. The Blues’ night was soured late on when João Pedro received a red card, leaving them to close the game with ten men. Despite the setback, Chelsea’s resilience under pressure ensured they claimed three crucial points against their former manager.
In Norway, Tottenham produced one of the night’s most dramatic turnarounds. Facing a 2-0 deficit against Bodo/Glimt, Spurs looked on course for defeat until a stirring second-half comeback rescued them. Richarlison struck a late equaliser to seal a 2-2 draw, earning Thomas Frank’s side a valuable point away from home. Speaking after the match, the Tottenham boss praised his players’ mentality, saying: “To come back from 2-0 down again shows our character. It’s extremely important that we keep fighting.”
Elsewhere, European heavyweights put down strong markers. Real Madrid thrashed Kairat 5-0, Bayern Munich swept past Pafos 5-1, and Inter Milan dismissed Slavia Prague 3-0. Atletico Madrid hammered Eintracht Frankfurt 5-1, while Marseille delivered a 4-0 demolition of Ajax. Atalanta also earned an impressive 2-1 victory over Club Brugge.
The results leave the competition finely poised as the group stage gathers momentum. For Liverpool, questions now swirl about how they will recover from both defeat and Alisson’s injury. Klopp’s side, expected to mount a strong challenge, now face a battle to regain control of their group.
Chelsea, by contrast, can take encouragement from grinding out a win in difficult circumstances, though João Pedro’s suspension will leave a hole in their attack going forward. Mourinho’s Benfica will feel hard done by, having pushed the hosts close in a tense contest.
Tottenham’s draw highlights both their vulnerabilities and their spirit. Frank admitted his side were outplayed in the first half but praised their ability to claw back into the match. With four points from their first two fixtures, Spurs have given themselves a platform to progress, even as questions linger about their consistency.
The Champions League spotlight now shifts to the next wave of fixtures, with Arsenal, Manchester City and Newcastle United all in action tomorrow. A mouthwatering clash between Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain also awaits, promising another night of high drama on Europe’s biggest stage.
For now, the story is one of contrasting fortunes: Liverpool rocked in Turkey, Chelsea scraping through against their old nemesis Mourinho, and Spurs clinging to a point with late heroics. The group stage may only be beginning, but the intensity is already reaching fever pitch.