UCL: Liverpool beat Real Madrid, Dortmund impress, PSV and Benfica mount dramatic comebacks

Matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League league phase delivered high drama, outstanding performances, and significant milestones as teams battled for progression into the knockout rounds.

Liverpool and Dortmund Shine

Liverpool secured their place in the knockout phase with a clinical 2-0 victory over Real Madrid at Anfield. Goals from Alexis Mac Allister and substitute Cody Gakpo sealed a fifth consecutive win for the Reds, who missed a penalty through Mohamed Salah but maintained control throughout the game. Borussia Dortmund also impressed with a dominant 3-0 win over GNK Dinamo, featuring a spectacular goal from Jamie Gittens and solid displays by Ramy Bensebaini and Serhou Guirassy.

Late Drama and Stunning Comebacks

PSV Eindhoven staged an extraordinary late comeback against Shakhtar Donetsk, overturning a 2-0 deficit with goals in the 87th, 90th, and injury time to win 3-2. Benfica also snatched a dramatic victory against Monaco, recovering from 2-1 down to triumph 3-2, courtesy of Ángel Di María’s pinpoint assists.

In Manchester, Feyenoord earned a sensational 3-3 draw against Manchester City, recovering from a three-goal deficit in the final minutes to shock the Premier League champions.

Other Key Results

• Barcelona cruised past Brest 3-0, with Robert Lewandowski marking his 100th Champions League goal.
• Arsenal dismantled Sporting CP 5-1 in Lisbon, led by Bukayo Saka’s stellar performance.
• Bayern Munich extended their flawless run, edging Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 thanks to Minjae Kim’s header.

Standout Performances

• Rade Krunić inspired Crvena Zvezda’s 5-1 win over Stuttgart, scoring and assisting.
• Ngal’ayel Mukau starred in Lille’s 2-1 victory against Bologna, netting both goals.
• Florian Wirtz showcased his talent with a brace in Bayer Leverkusen’s 5-0 thrashing of Salzburg.

Upcoming Matches

Matchday 6, commencing on December 10, will decide the final standings, with teams like Girona, Juventus, and Atlético Madrid facing critical clashes.

Liverpool, Borussia Dortmund, and Arsenal have taken commanding positions, while teams like Manchester City and Monaco will need to bounce back in the final round. The race for qualification promises more electrifying action as Europe’s elite aim for knockout stage glory.