Champions League Summary: Juventus Astonish Borussia Dortmund With Dramatic Brace in 4-4 Epic
What a breathtaking first matchday in the UEFA’s elite competition, with Juventus and Borussia Dortmund exchanging eight second-half strikes as Qarabag shocked Benfica with a comeback.
Injury-Time Magic Secure Unbelievable Draw
The Serbian striker and defender Kelly netted in added time to complete a stunning recovery for Juventus, enabling them to claim a 4-4 draw in a game where every one of the goals came post-half-time.
Juventus trailed 4-2 when the forward scored his double of the match in the final moments of injury time and the defender sealed the comeback two minutes later to secure a split of the result.
Frenetic After the Break
Following a goalless initial period, the German outfit made the opening goal in the 53rd minute after the restart as Karim Adeyemi blasted a well-placed strike into the opposite post from just outside the penalty area. The Italian team drew level in the 63rd minute through the young talent, who controlled the pass on the edge of the box, steadied himself and guided a excellent shot into the far corner to electrify the home support.
The excitement were short-lived, however, as Felix Nmecha gave back the visitors’ edge barely two minutes later with a crisp first-time shot from range.
The action exhibited not a hint of slowing down, and at the 68th minute the hosts were tied anew, Vlahovic sprinting on to a beautifully timed through ball to slide past Gregor Kobel in BVB’s sticks.
The frenzy carried on in the 74th minute, when the wing-back’s low shot squeezed between the keeper and a upright to put the Germans ahead again. BVB were awarded a PK late on from time, following Kelly was called for a handball with Bensebaini netting from the 12-yard mark. Deep into stoppage time, number nine struck a second from a perfect cross before turning provider for Lloyd Kelly, who headed in the leveler to round off a period to never forget.
Shock Result for Qarabag
The Portuguese giants surrendered an early advantage to lose three-two at their stadium to the underdogs, with the substitute scoring the Azerbaijani team’s decisive goal four minutes from time.
The hosts seemed in command when the midfielder put them in front in the sixth minute with a glancing finish from a corner kick and Pavlidis fired on the half-volley to increase the advantage 10 minutes later. the attacker hammered a instant strike past the goalkeeper, but, and Qarabag came close to tying the game when the midfielder rattled the woodwork and the shot-stopper made an superb save from Marko Jankovic’s rebound attempt.
The Azerbaijani club were level three minutes halftime when Camilo Durán burst on to a perfect through ball from the playmaker and blasted a instant shot into the net but Qarabag were still pushing.
An ambitious clearance upfield from the shot-stopper located Kashchuk just outside the penalty area and he executed a quick pass with Abdellah Zoubir before stroking a strike past the keeper to silence the Benfica faithful.
Other Outcomes
- The Belgian champions made a dream first appearance in the tournament group stage by beating the Dutch side by two goals in a feisty Low Countries match.
- The Gunners won a comfortable win at San Mamés.
- Spurs edged past the Yellow Submarine one-zero.
- The Spanish giants fought back to beat Marseille two-one.