Manchester United's 3-2 comeback win over Roma had everything. From fans throwing tennis balls on the pitch in protest of ownership, to a missed penalty getting to be retaken due to encroachment from Roma and then overcoming a two-goal deficit, Manchester United games are box office. Even Matheus Cunha, whose second-half brace helped end the club's nine-match winless run, got sent off after receiving a yellow for celebration and another for his foul, now won't be available for United's next Champions League game, but the most important thing is that they got all three points in a pivotal week for manager Michael Carrick. It could be too little, too late, but given the scenes where Cunha celebrated with the home fans following his winner, this could also be a match that's used as a turning point.
Elsewhere in Champions League play, without Ousmane Dembele or Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, Paris Saint-Germain dropped six goals on Villarreal, scoring four in the first half of play, showing just why they're the team to beat in the competition, as Luis Enrique's depth showed in the clash. Barcelona and Bayern Munich also got back to their best with shutout victories, but it was a strange day of soccer as only the United-Roma match saw both teams find the back of the net, as results were quite lopsided.
All games in Spain were cancelled today due to the death of Tenerife's Jesus de Miguel following an on-field collision, but Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, and Villarreal still took part in their Champions League commitments despite the weight of the occasion being something that the entire country is feeling on Tuesday. The Tenerife forward collided with FC Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owino, who came out of his box in an attempt to make a clearance, and that collision led to de Miguel suffering a cardiac arrest, from which he died. While the keeper was sent off for the reckless challenge and Spanish police have opened an investigation into possible involuntary manslaughter, Barcelona forward Raphinha noted that it's something that could happen to us on a pitch, which made the day so hard for the Spanish teams still playing.
The Barcelona forward scored a brace and caught up with the CBS Sports Champions League crew following the match.
"I woke up this morning and spoke to my wife after seeing the news, and just really didn't feel good throughout the day because we're talking about someone who was a colleague in this profession of football, and it could happen to anyone on the field," Raphinha said. "He's the same age as me, so maybe for that reason it affected me more, but it has been a difficult day, difficult to deal with football on a day like this."
It's a day where even if Barcelona got the result in UCL play, it's much bigger than the soccer on the pitch.
Four of PSG's six goals were scored by players who are 24 or under with Enrique's depth shining without his stars. Joao Neves started the day with yet another headed goal before Désiré Doué and Seny Mayulu joined him in finding the back of the net. While PSG have offloaded some young players such as Bradley Barcola and Ibrahim Mbaye during the summer, it's clear that they have talent in spades as long as the midfield is set up to dominate how it did against Villarreal. Granted, if any team has 70% possession in a Champions League game, you're in for a long night, but this PSG side was something special. Fabian Ruiz, Vitinha, and Joao Neves completed more passes than the entire Villarreal team, and it led to a long day at the office.
22 shots taken and 12 on target is quite a performance, but some was also bad defending for the Spanish side, considering that PSG only created an xG of 2.69, although that was the third-highest number by any team that took the pitch on Tuesday behind LASK and Manchester United. If PSG can do things like this when they aren't at their best, it's clear that they have what it takes to win a third consecutive UCL title, even if Bayern Munich and Barcelona will do what they can to stop the Parisians.
UNITED HAVE SCORED! They've overcome a 2-0 deficit via a Cunha brace, and now they lead with four minutes remaining. The players are celebrating with fans who were just protesting at halftime, and we have quite a result so far. It's the second time this has happened to Roma as well, after they lost after leading by multiple goals against Real Madrid too.
United have suffered some misfortune in this game with Bryan Mbuemo's shot hitting the post and staying out, but Mateus Cunha was able to get past the Roma defense to draw level in the match. With six minutes left, is there a chance for a winner?
Even without some of their stars, PSG are ensuring that the world knows they are the team to beat. It's the first senior goal for David Boly after coming off the bench. Luis Enrique is pushing all the right buttons.
Bayern Munich double their lead away to Atletico Madrid, and it's a surprise scorer in Konrad Laimer who gets on the end of this one. Harry Kane's search for his first goal after winning the Ballon d'Or continues.
Bruno Fernandes missed his first penalty, but due to encroachment, he got a retake and set the keeper the wrong way. Is this enough to get United back into the game?
It's Lennart Karl, and Atletico Madrid will now need to get their own finishing in check as they don't have a shot on target so far in the match.
The American journeyman scores the fourth goal for LASK as they've absolutely dominated Slovan Bratislava so far in this tie. It was a slow start to UCL but with seven goals scored in their last two matches, the Austrian side will believe that they can advance to the knockouts.
Only two games don't have a goal yet, as Atletico Madrid versus Bayern Munich is scoreless, while Bodo/Glimt versus Lille also lacks goals.
Tennis balls are being flung onto the pitch by fans as they say to sell the team and stand up if you hate the Glazers. So far, protests around the club haven't led to much, but with United in the relegation race yet again, we're at an inflection point.
Adding their name to the dominant first half performances, Inter are getting it done as Pio Espositio scores with Lautaro Martinez not being involved in the match. No complaints, leading by two after only 34 minutes facing a young Feyenoord team.
Soule was against in space, and his shot hit the hand of a United defender, and Malen converted it. Looking at the body language of the United players, this is one that they're already ready to go home from.
What do you even do at this stage? No one was defending as Soule was left onside, and United are in a familiar position, trailing in a match. Just horrid stuff.
Only 13 minutes in, PSG are ahead by three goals, and they'll feel quite good about being able to overcome their own injuries in this one. For Villarreal, they need to stop the bleeding as goal difference is quite important in this competition.
Barcelona strikes first at home against Aston Villa as it's who else but Lamine Yamal, only eight minutes into the match. They want to move on from suffering their first losses of the season quickly, and Yamal's slight dribble to get into space and open the scoring is something else. Yamal has now also scored the most goals by any teenager in Champions League history, netting his 14th.
Stuttgart did have a goal ruled out due to being offside, but Galatasaray's early lead was enough to pick up their second victory of the league phase so far. Sporting CP's win over Shakhtar Donetsk is quite a big one, as it pushes them into the top eight for the league phase, which would mean an automatic berth to the round of 16 as things stand. Now it's almost time for the late slate of matches to get underway.
Another impressive start of the season for the Brazilian striker who has already scored 17 goals in the opening 12 games in all competitions, also delivering three assists. He's in great form and alongside his team they are hoping to show also their potential outside Spain where they are expected to be one of the candidates for the final win of the tournament. -- Francesco Porzio
Aston Villa will be eager to face an understaffed Barcelona and will probably have their moments in what should be a thoroughly entertaining matchup. Barcelona, though, have enough attacking firepower to get out of the challenges Villa might pose. Expect players like Raphinha and Lamine Yamal to step up to the occasion. -- Pardeep Cattry
The Senegal striker is in an outstanding run of form lately, his eight goals coming from shots worth barely half that value in xG, not bad for a player who had something of a reputation as a minus finisher whose greatest skill was getting chances at volume. Jackson will fancy his chances against Barcelona's high line. If he keeps up his hot streak, he might only need one opening to score. - James Benge
As the second half of the early slate gets underway, Sporting CP are now on the board and in the lead behind a goal from Issa Doumbia. As things stand, that would take them back into the top eight for now.
The early slate is already underway as Stuttgart trails by two goals to Galatasaray thanks to a brace by midfielder Alexey Batrakov. The Russian midfielder has been running hot in Champions League play with four goals from only five shots and an xG of 1.1. In the competition. While this may not be sustainable, if it helps the Turkish side get three points, they won't complain one bit about it. Meanwhile, Sporting CP are struggling with Shakhtar Donetsk's defense and haven't been able to create much in a must-win clash of their own.
