Champions League Round 3

As the third round of the UEFA Champions League reignites, the two football powerhouses from Germany and Spain stunned the world with dominant victories. Bayern Munich thrashed Club Brugge 4-0 at home, while Real Madrid edged Juventus 1-0 at the Bernabéu. The performances not only set new records but also showcased the rise of new-generation players, while highlighting the struggles of established giants.

Bayern Munich 4-0 Club Brugge:

In the first five minutes, the Allianz Arena felt the pressure from Bayern. In the 5th minute, 17-year-old German star Lennart Cal launched a solo run from the center circle, dribbling past three defenders before unleashing a rocket from outside the box into the top corner.

This goal not only made Harry Kane (1.93m) the assist provider for the first time but also saw Cal become the youngest-ever goal scorer in the Champions League since its reform, at just 17 years and 242 days old, breaking the record previously held by Jamal Musiala.

Brugge wasn’t without chances. In the 11th minute, Sowah’s long-range shot from outside the box was saved by Manuel Neuer, and in the 31st minute, Olivier Deschacht’s curling shot from inside the box narrowly missed the near post.

Bayern's attack was relentless: in the 14th minute, Konrad Laimer’s cross from the right found Kane, who easily finished into an empty net. In the 34th minute, Serge Gnabry’s powerful shot from the left hit the crossbar and bounced in.

In the 79th minute, substitute Joshua Jackson capitalized on a defensive error to tap the ball into an empty net, sealing the 4-0 victory.

Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus: The 2018 Champions League DNA Still Lives On

When Vinícius Júnior’s shot from a tight angle hit the post in the 57th minute, the Bernabéu crowd sighed. However, the rebound fell to Jude Bellingham, who calmly slotted the ball home, sending the stadium into wild celebrations. This seemingly accidental goal came as part of Real Madrid’s stunning efficiency, having scored 7 goals from 28 shots in this season’s Champions League.

Juventus’ struggles were obvious. In the 50th minute, Dušan Vlahović missed a clear chance, and again in the 86th minute, he squandered another great opportunity on a counterattack. The team registered 13 shots but only managed 4 on target, while their 38% possession marked their lowest in the Champions League in the last three years.

After the game, manager Igor Tudor admitted: “We lacked focus, and our defensive gaps were ruthlessly exploited by the opponent.”

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was once again instrumental, making 5 crucial saves, including an 86th-minute block from Openda’s close-range shot.