Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 produced some of the most compelling action of the group-phase so far. The round delivered emphatic home wins (notably for Chelsea, Bayern Munich and Liverpool), two hard-fought goalless draws, and standout individual performances that will reverberate through the competition.
The results already hint at a divide between the group haves and have-nots. Below, we provide the goal-by-goal timelines where available, highlight tactical pivots and quote key figures. Then we draw out the major themes, update the standings and examine implications for the race ahead.
Scoreline: Athletic Club 3-1 Qarabağ (22 October 2025)
Goals & Timeline:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
An early opener from Qarabağ looked like it might spark a shock. But Athletic responded methodically: Guruzeta’s equaliser just before half-time steadied the home side, then Navarro’s strike and Guruzeta’s late clincher turned the tie. The psychological shift from trailing to leading changed the flow.
Standout Players: Gorka Guruzeta (two goals) bossed Athletic’s front-line; Navarro’s composed finish at 70′ stands out. For Qarabağ, Andrade’s early strike showed ambition but they couldn’t maintain it.
Tactical Insights: Athletic seemed set up to absorb early pressure and attack via transitions; once level, they grew in control and exploited Qarabağ’s more open shape. Qarabağ, meanwhile, started on the front foot but faded as Athletic upped the tempo.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: At San Mamés the crowd lifted after the equaliser and remained hopeful – the late second goal quietened the away contingent’s optimism.
Post-Match Comments: Athletic’s manager remarked: “We showed character when it mattered and turned the game around – that’s a real sign of progress.” (Speaker: Athletic manager).
Significance: The win gives Athletic their first points and halts Qarabağ’s unbeaten start. It injects belief into the group for the Spaniards.
Scoreline: Galatasaray 3-1 Bodø/Glimt
Goals & Timeline:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
Osimhen’s early brace set the tone. Galatasaray exploited a high-tempo opening and by the hour mark the match was won. Bodø/Glimt’s goal merely made the margin respectable.
Standout Players: Victor Osimhen with a decisive performance; Akgün continued his creative influence.
Tactical Insights: Galatasaray attacked in waves, particularly down the flanks and via quick transitions. Bodø/Glimt attempted to sit slightly deeper but the early two-goal deficit prevented any real comeback.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: In Istanbul the atmosphere surged early with the opener, and by the third goal the crowd celebrated with conviction.
Post-Match Comments: Galatasaray’s manager said: “We started like we meant business and that made all the difference.”
Significance: A second successive win for Galatasaray positions them strongly in their group; Bodø/Glimt must now salvage results to stay competitive.
Scoreline: AS Monaco 0-0 Tottenham Hotspur
Goals & Timeline: None.
Key Moments & Turning Points:
Monaco peppered Tottenham’s goal (over 20 shots) but were repeatedly denied by Tottenham’s goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario (eight saves) – a standout factor in this stalemate. Tottenham, for their part, sat in and defended resolutely.
Standout Players: Vicario for Tottenham; Monaco’s attackers were serviceable but lacked the final touch.
Tactical Insights: Monaco pushed high-up and looked for width, but Tottenham shifted into a compact 4-2-3-1 and frustrated the hosts. The result underlines that possession and shots alone don’t always deliver.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: A low-scoring draw felt like a missed opportunity for Monaco; the stadium atmosphere waned as chances kept coming and goals did not.
Post-Match Comments: Vicario: “It’s not the best performance from us, so a lot to learn — but a point we must take.”
Significance: Tottenham remain unbeaten in the group but still vulnerable; Monaco remain without a win and under pressure.
Scoreline: Atalanta 0-0 Slavia Praha
Goals & Timeline: None.
Key Moments & Turning Points:
A tight defensive encounter where neither side could find the decisive breakthrough. Slavia defended deep; Atalanta struggled to unlock the compact structure.
Standout Players: Both goalkeepers and defenders stood out in a match of few clear chances.
Tactical Insights: Atalanta pressed with their usual aggression but lacked penetration; Slavia were organised and disciplined.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: The home crowd expected more but recognised the competitive effort; a draw felt fair.
Post-Match Comments: Atalanta’s manager: “We had to be better in the final third; credit to the opposition for their organisation.”
Significance: This draw leaves both teams with work to do; one win becomes critical.
Scoreline: Chelsea 5-1 Ajax
Goals & Timeline:
According to live-blog and official reports:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
The red card for Ajax at 16′ fundamentally shifted momentum. Chelsea capitalised quickly with two goals, and the remainder of the match became celebratory for the hosts.
Standout Players: Teenage Sch-line players at Chelsea shone — Estêvão, Tyrique George, and Marc Guiu among them. For Ajax, the sending off and defensive frailties were telling.
Tactical Insights: Chelsea’s youth-infused side attacked with pace and width, especially exploiting the numerical advantage. Ajax lacked composure after the red card and paid the price.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: Stamford Bridge erupted: home fans relished the youthful energy; away supporters left frustrated.
Post-Match Comments: Chelsea’s manager (Enzo Maresca): “This young team gave us exactly what we asked for — intensity, creativity and ruthless finishing.”
Significance: A dominant statement by Chelsea in this competition; Ajax find themselves in real trouble with zero points from three.
Scoreline: Eintracht Frankfurt 1-5 Liverpool
Goals & Timeline:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
Conceding early yet responding with power and clarity was the mark of Liverpool’s resurgence. The set-piece goals and clinical finishing made the difference.
Standout Players: Dominik Szoboszlai (scored & dominated midfield), Florian Wirtz (two assists) and the defensive headers via van Dijk and Konaté.
Tactical Insights: Liverpool shifted to a 4-4-2 (per reports) under manager Arne Slot, focusing on set-piece dominance and quick transitions — and it paid dividends. Frankfurt’s high-pressed initial mood faded as Liverpool imposed themselves.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: Despite conceding early, the travelling supporters saw their side roar back; home fans, though vocal early, were subdued after the third goal.
Post-Match Comments: Slot: “We knew we had to respond and our players showed real character; this gives us a platform.”
Significance: A vital boost for Liverpool’s group-stage hopes — and a turnaround from earlier woes.
Scoreline: Bayern Munich 4-0 Club Brugge
Goals & Timeline:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
The rapid succession of goals in the first half gave Bayern total control. The debut of Karl and Kane’s continued scoring underlined the hosts’ superiority.
Standout Players: Lennart Karl (his first-start debut goal), Kane (record-breaking pace) and Luis Díaz (consistent threat).
Tactical Insights: Bayern pressed high, exploited width and used incisive transitions; Brugge were overwhelmed from minute one. Manager Vincent Kompany’s decision to trust youth paid off.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: The Allianz Arena buzzed early; the sight of a teenager scoring opened the floodgates.
Post-Match Comments: Kompany: “It was a very good home game. The young players shone — but we’ll keep our feet on the ground.”
Significance: Bayern maintain a perfect start (9 points) and send a clear message they mean business.
Scoreline: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Goals & Timeline:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
Despite dominating possession (66%) and racking up 27 shots, Real had to rely on Bellingham’s breakthrough and then defend stoutly. Juventus were compact and threatened on the break but lacked cutting edge.
Standout Players: Bellingham, back from injury, delivered when it mattered; Real’s defence and keeper stood firm in the closing stages.
Tactical Insights: Real played their usual control-possession model; Juventus attempted to disrupt and transition. Real’s patience paid off.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: At the Bernabéu the mood remained expectant until the goal; once scored, the home crowd settled into confidence.
Post-Match Comments: Real manager: “This win was about control and pragmatism. We created chances, stayed solid and got the three points.”
Significance: Real move to 9 points from three and cement their status as group favourites; Juventus remain under pressure with just two points.
Scoreline: Sporting CP 2-1 Marseille
Goals & Timeline:
Key Moments & Turning Points:
Marseille’s red card brought Sporting back into the game, and the late goals from subs swung the result. The match showcased the impact of substitutions and discipline issues.
Standout Players: Catamo and Santos as decisive subs; for Marseille, Emerson’s red card proved costly.
Tactical Insights: Sporting played with patience and used the extra man effectively after Marseille were reduced. Marseille started strongly but collapsed after the booking.
Fan Reaction & Atmosphere: Sporting fans got the lift late; for visiting Marseille supporters the sending off cast a shadow.
Post-Match Comments: Sporting manager: “Our bench made the difference. We believed until the end.”
Significance: A vital three points for Sporting in a tight group; Marseille must respond quickly to stay in contention.
According to the league-phase table after Matchday 3:
Matchday 3 of the Champions League 2025/26 delivered a telling mix of power, promise and peril. The biggest storyline? The top clubs aren’t just showing up — they’re issuing statements. Bayern Munich’s youthful injection and dominant win, Chelsea’s youthful dismantling of Ajax, Liverpool’s response after a tough run — these are signals.
Meanwhile, clubs on the backfoot (Juventus, Ajax, Monaco) must recharge quickly or risk being cut adrift. As the competition progresses, the group-stage narrative is turning into a high-stakes sprint.
Next up: Matchday 4 looms and the question is simple: will the big names reinforce their leads — or will challengers emerge to upend the script?
Keep following for our next round-up.