The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-offs delivered emphatic wins, stunning upsets and late drama across Europe this week, as clubs battled for early advantage in their first-leg encounters.
Bodø/Glimt stun Inter 3-1 to seize first-leg advantage
The headline result came in Norway, where Bodø/Glimt continued their remarkable European run with a 3-1 victory over Inter Milan. Having already beaten Manchester City and Atlético Madrid in the league phase, the hosts once again rose to the occasion. Sondre Brunstad Fet opened the scoring after a clever assist from Kasper Høgh, before Inter responded through Pio Esposito. Two quick-fire second-half goals — a thunderous strike from Jens Petter Hauge and a close-range finish by Høgh — sealed another famous night for the Norwegian champions.
Newcastle run riot in Azerbaijan
In one of the most dominant displays of the round, Newcastle United thrashed Qarabağ FK 6-1 away from home. Anthony Gordon starred with four first-half goals, including two penalties, as the English side overwhelmed their opponents inside 45 minutes.
Malick Thiaw added to the tally, and substitute Jacob Murphy restored the five-goal cushion after Elvin Jafarguliyev briefly pulled one back for Qarabağ, leaving Newcastle firmly in control of the tie.
Schick double powers Leverkusen
Meanwhile, Bayer Leverkusen claimed a composed 2-0 victory over Olympiacos F.C. in Piraeus. After a tightly contested first half, Patrik Schick broke the deadlock on the hour mark with a clinical counterattacking finish before heading in Alejandro Grimaldo’s corner minutes later to hand the Bundesliga side a significant advantage.
Six-goal thriller in Belgium
In Belgium, Club Brugge KV and Atlético Madrid shared the spoils in a dramatic 3-3 draw. Atlético raced into a two-goal lead through Julián Alvarez and Ademola Lookman, but Brugge fought back twice, with Christos Tzolis netting a last-minute equaliser to leave the tie delicately poised.
Elsewhere, Galatasaray S.K. defeated Juventus F.C. 5-2, Paris Saint-Germain F.C. edged AS Monaco FC 3-2, Borussia Dortmund beat Atalanta BC 2-0, and Real Madrid CF secured a narrow 1-0 win over SL Benfica.
With commanding performances and dramatic comebacks setting the tone, the second legs promise high-intensity battles as teams chase a coveted spot in the last 16.
Source: UEFA Champions League
Photo credit: Champions League/X
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