In the afternoon matches, the Spaniards suffered an embarrassing defeat in Cyprus, while Garnacho was not enough for the Blues. In the evening, the Blaugrana were held to a 3-3 draw and saved themselves in the final minutes, while Manchester City and Newcastle had it easy. Ajax and Benfica in deep crisis

Football is now played well at all latitudes, and Chelsea and Villarreal have paid the price in different ways, having to give up three points against Qarabag and Pafos respectively. Not exactly the powerhouses of the Champions League, to be clear. Yet both the Azerbaijanis and the Cypriots managed to get in the way. Maresca’s team, which lost Lavia to injury after just a few minutes, was held to a 2-2 draw in Azerbaijan, while Villarreal even lost to Pafos. The first half was all in favor of the Spaniards, but as soon as they returned from the break, they were surprised by Luckassen’s header from a corner kick that decided the match. Barcelona also reminded everyone that football is unpredictable in an entertaining match full of twists and turns. Bruges took the lead through Tresoldi, but Ferran Torres quickly equalized. Borges put the Belgians back in front, but Yamal’s remote-controlled action in the second half made it 2-2. Borges teased Szczesny again, then Tzolis’ own goal made it 3-3. Barça complained about two shots hitting the woodwork (Lopez’s post and Koundé’s crossbar), while Bruges lamented a goal disallowed in the final minutes for an alleged foul on Szczesny. It was all plain sailing for Manchester City against Borussia Dortmund, led by an inspired Foden who scored two virtually identical goals: with his left foot, low to the goalkeeper’s right. In between, Haaland scored his usual goal, while Anton reduced the deficit before Cherki joined the party. Two headers secured Newcastle’s victory over Athletic: Burn’s in the first half and Joelinton’s in the second. Tonali was named man of the match. It was a dark night for Benfica and Ajax. Mourinho’s team did not disappoint, but they failed to capitalize against Bayer Leverkusen, and Schick sealed their fate in the 65th minute with a header. In Amsterdam, all eyes are on Victor Osimhen, who scores a hat-trick (including two penalties) for Galatasaray to take the lead in the group stage scoring charts.

Champions League, today’s results —  Today’s results and scorers:

Qarabag-Chelsea 2-2: 16′ Estevao (C), 29′ Andrade (Q), 39′ pen. Jankovic (Q), 53′ Garnacho (C).

Pafos-Villarreal 1-0: 46′ Luckassen.

Manchester City-Borussia Dortmund 4-1: 22′ Foden (M), 29′ Haaland (M), 57′ Foden (M), 72′ Anton (B), 90+1′ Cherki (M).

Bruges-Barcelona 3-3: 6′ Tresoldi (C), 8′ Torres (B), 17′ Borges (C), 61′ Yamal (B), 64′ Borges (C), 77′ own goal Tzolis (B).

Newcastle-Athletic Bilbao 2-0: 11′ Burn, 49′ Joelinton.

Benfica-Bayer Leverkusen 0-1: 65′ Schick.

Ajax-Galatasaray 0-3: 59′, 66′ pen. and 78′ pen. Osimhen.