UPDATE: In a stunning turn of events in the UEFA Champions League, Galatasaray secured a 1-0 victory over Liverpool on October 3, 2023, while Chelsea narrowly defeated Benfica in a gripping match. The results mark a challenging night for English teams as they grapple with mounting pressure in Europe.
The decisive moment in Istanbul came when Victor Osimhen converted a penalty in the 16th minute, sealing Liverpool’s fate and handing them their second consecutive loss after a prior defeat to Crystal Palace in the Premier League. Liverpool’s hopes for an equalizer were dashed when a late penalty awarded for Ibrahima Konate was overturned after a VAR review, leaving fans in disbelief.
In a post-match statement, Liverpool’s coach Arne Slot remarked, “The margins were very small last season but then we were a lot of times on the right side of the score. Today again the margins were really small, but for the second time in a row on the wrong side.” The defeat puts Liverpool in a precarious position as they prepare to face Chelsea this Saturday.
Meanwhile, Chelsea’s match against Benfica featured a dramatic return for coach Jose Mourinho, who faced the club he managed multiple times. The only goal of the game came from a deflected shot by Richard Rios that turned into an own goal, giving Chelsea a 1-0 victory. Despite a red card issued to substitute Joao Pedro in stoppage time, Chelsea’s win provided a much-needed boost following their earlier loss to Bayern Munich.
In other Champions League action, Kylian Mbappe dazzled for Real Madrid with a sensational hat-trick in a 5-0 rout of Kairat Almaty in Kazakhstan. Mbappe’s performance included a penalty opener and two more goals, bringing his tally to 60 career Champions League goals and making it 13 goals in just nine games this season.
Tottenham faced a fierce battle against Bodo/Glimt, managing to salvage a point with a 2-2 draw. After falling behind, Tottenham’s Micky van de Ven scored to pull one back, and a fortuitous late equalizer came as a result of a save that ricocheted off a defender into the net.
Elsewhere, Bayern Munich showcased their firepower with a convincing 5-1 victory over Pafos, powered by Harry Kane‘s two goals. The England striker now boasts 17 goals in nine appearances this season.
Atletico Madrid continued their strong form with a resounding 5-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, while Marseille triumphed with a stunning 4-0 victory against Ajax, featuring goals from Mason Greenwood and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
As teams gear up for their next matches, fans will be eagerly watching Liverpool’s response against Chelsea, hoping for a turnaround after a dispiriting start to their European campaign. Stay tuned for more updates as the Champions League continues to deliver thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes.
