PSG score six to launch Champions League defence, Arsenal win late at Napoli

PARIS, Sept 9 : New signing Ferran Torres struck a hat-trick as holders Paris St Germain made an emphatic start to the defence of their Champions League crown with a 6-1 home victory over Slovan Bratislava on Wednesday.

Last season’s runners-up Arsenal endured a sterner test at Napoli but captain Martin Odegaard's late strike snatched a 1-0 victory while Liverpool came from behind to beat Atletico Madrid 2-1 at Anfield.

There was also success for Portuguese side Sporting, who overturned a fifth-minute deficit to defeat Galatasaray 3-1 in the Portuguese capital.

Ousmane Dembele scored twice before World Cup winner Torres struck three in succession as PSG romped to a routine win over the Slovak side, coached by former Champions League winner Yaya Toure.

The Parisians, chasing a third successive Champions League title, were 5-0 up in 57 minutes, before Suleiman Camara pulled one back. Fabian Ruiz scored their sixth two minutes from time as PSG showed none of the rustiness that has characterised their early season domestic league form. 

Arsenal, the only club to win all eight league-phase fixtures last season, extended that run in their opening game of the new campaign as Odegaard finished off a series of smart passes with a thunderous 75th-minute shot to win their game in Italy.

"The result probably doesn't reflect the performance," said Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta. "We created many chances against a tough opponent. We had courage. It was a shame we missed so many big chances."

Liverpool fell behind in the 17th minute when a swift Atletico counter allowed Marcos Llorente to score, but Dominik Szoboszlai levelled five minutes before halftime.

Midfielder Alexis Mac Allister completed the comeback with a thumping left-footed drive