Champions League: Barcelona and Manchester City win big while Liverpool stays perfect

24.10.2024 - 14:01 foxnews.com

Barcelona and Manchester City notched lopsided victories as the first round of this season's UEFA Champions League continued on Wednesday with nine matches to close out Matchday 3.

Raphinha scored a hat trick in Barça's 4-1 win, with 17-year-old Lamine Yamal helping set up the Brazilian's third with a spectacular long-range pass: Liverpool, Inter Milan, Lille, Dinamo Zagreb and Feyenoord also won, while Atlético Madrid, Benfica and FC Salzburg and Young Boys all lost at home.

Here are the biggest takeaways from Wednesday's games. Three years after Lionel Messi left Barcelona, are the five-time European title winners finally legitimate contenders for the Champions League crown once again?

The Blaugrana sure looked like it on Wednesday, rocking Bayern Munich to put the exclamation point on this round's results in the world's marquee club competition.

Sporting Barcelona blues UPS Citi FIVE Lionel Messi Hansi Flick Spain Brazil Monaco

La Liga leaders Barcelona visit rivals Real Madrid in a mouthwatering Clasico on Saturday, aiming to strike a significant blow in the Spanish title race. Barcelona hold a three point lead on the second-place Spanish and European champions, who are struggling for consistency and balance as they head into Kylian Mbappe's first Clasico as a Madrid player. It is also Barcelona coach Hansi Flick's first Clasico and his team's 4-1 demolition of Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday demonstrated how he has revitalised the Catalan giants in a matter of months.

Bayern Munich chief fires clear Vincent Kompany future message after Barcelona defeat

Despite a heavy defeat vs Barcelona, Bayern Munich's chief Max Eberl has reaffirmed the club's faith in manager, Manchester City hero Vincent Kompany.

In-form Barcelona, Real primed for Clasico showdown

MADRID : Off the back of massive Champions League wins over German powerhouses Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund, Barcelona and Real Madrid are set for a mouth-watering LaLiga Clasico on Saturday.

Raphinha Hat-Trick Helps Barca Thrash Bayern In Champions League

Raphinha scored a stunning hat-trick as Barcelona hammered Bayern Munich 4-1 on Wednesday in a blockbuster Champions League group clash. The Catalans had lost their last six games against Bayern but outplayed the six-time winners at the Olympic Stadium with Robert Lewandowski also on the scoresheet, while England star Harry Kane struck for the visitors. Hansi Flick, who was in charge of the Bundesliga side in a humiliating 8-2 romp over Barca in 2020, led the Catalans to an emphatic triumph which indicated they may be capable of winning the trophy for the first time since 2015 after a decade of disappointment.

Celtic land shot to kill off 'desperate' Champions League heavyweights and move ONE WIN from playoff millions

Buzzing Celtic are 90 minutes away from all-but killing off a rival in their pursuit to secure a top 24 slot in the upside down Champions League revamp.

Celtic keep Atalanta at bay in Champions League

Celtic produced an impressive response to their thrashing in Dortmund by holding Atalanta to a goalless Champions League draw in Italy.