Wednesday’s Champions League action saw five thrilling encounters, with Celtic and Paris Saint-Germain emerging victorious in style. Celtic kicked off their campaign with a resounding 5-1 win over Slovan Bratislava, while PSG edged Girona 1-0 courtesy of a late own goal.
Celtic’s Dominant Display
The Hoops were unstoppable at Parkhead, with Liam Scales opening the scoring before Kyogo Furuhashi, Arne Engels, Daizen Maeda, and Adam Idah all found the net. Slovan Bratislava’s Kevin Wimmer momentarily reduced the deficit with a stunning strike, but Celtic’s dominance never wavered.
Brendan Rodgers’ side showcased their attacking flair, with five different scorers contributing to the rout. This emphatic victory marked Celtic’s first win in an opening Champions League game, setting the tone for their campaign.
The Scottish champions’ performance was a testament to their growing confidence and cohesion under Rodgers. Their ability to create scoring opportunities and capitalize on Slovan Bratislava’s mistakes proved decisive.
PSG’s Late Dramatics
Paris Saint-Germain faced a stern test against Champions League debutants Girona but ultimately prevailed 1-0. The LaLiga side’s resilient display was undone by goalkeeper Paulo Gazzaniga’s 90th-minute howler, allowing Nuno Mendes’ cross to slip through his legs and into the net.
Gazzaniga’s mistake gifted PSG the win, sparing their blushes after a lackluster performance. The Parisian giants will look to build momentum from this narrow victory.
Despite struggling to break down Girona’s defense, PSG’s persistence paid off. The win highlights their ability to grind out results, even when not playing at their best.
Dortmund’s Late Surge
Borussia Dortmund secured a 3-0 win over Club Brugge, thanks to Jamie Bynoe-Gittens’ brace and Serhou Guirassy’s stoppage-time penalty. The English youngster’s impressive display continued his excellent start to the season.
Brugge’s resistance was broken in the 76th minute when Bynoe-Gittens’ effort deflected in, and he sealed the win with a cool finish moments later. Dortmund’s late surge secured the three points.
Bynoe-Gittens’ performance showcased his growing importance to Dortmund. His pace, skill, and composure in front of goal make him a valuable asset for Edin Terzic’s side.
Sparta Prague Makes Triumphant Return
Sparta Prague marked their Champions League return after 19 years with a convincing 3-0 victory over FC Salzburg. Kaan Kairinen opened the scoring inside two minutes, followed by Victor Olatunji’s fine volley and Qazim Laci’s second-half strike.
The Czech side’s dominant display demonstrated their readiness for the Champions League. Their attacking flair and defensive solidity will make them a formidable opponent in the competition.
Shakhtar Donetsk Misses Opportunity
Bologna’s Champions League debut ended in a goalless draw with Shakhtar Donetsk. Heorhiy Sudakov missed a penalty in the fourth minute, and neither side could find the breakthrough.
Bologna extended their unbeaten home run to 28 games, earning a hard-fought point in their first Champions League appearance since 1964-65.
Wednesday’s Champions League results:
Bologna 0-0 Shakhtar Donetsk
Sparta Prague 3-0 FC Salzburg
Celtic 5-1 Slovan Bratislava
Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 Girona
Club Brugge 0-3 Borussia Dortmund
As the Champions League continues, these results set the stage for an exciting competition. Celtic, PSG, Dortmund, and Sparta Prague will look to build on their wins, while Bologna and Shakhtar Donetsk will aim to improve in their next outings.