Raphinha and Torres shine as Barcelona, PSG lead Champions League goals
Barcelona continued their free-flowing start to the Champions League, while Paris Saint-Germain also made a statement on the opening night of their title defence. Raphinha struck twice as Barcelona overcame Feyenoord, with Karim Adeyemi, Lamine Yamal and Gabriel Jesus also finding the net in a five-goal clash.
PSG were equally ruthless as Ferran Torres scored a hat-trick following Ousmane Dembele’s first-half double. Liverpool, meanwhile, had to fend off an early goal from Marcos Llorente to beat Atletico Madrid at Anfield, while Martin Odegaard’s fourth goal in five games gave Arsenal a hard-fought victory over Napoli.
The night’s results offered plenty of different flavours, with Barcelona and PSG showing goal celebrations, Liverpool showing their ability to react under pressure and Arsenal relying on patience before their captain produced a decisive moment.
RAPHINHA LEADS BARCELONA’S GOAL PARTY
Raphinh’s sensational start to the season continued as Barcelona tore Feyenoord apart. The Brazilian opened the scoring three minutes in after showing a brilliant piece of skill to evade two defenders before finishing calmly.
Karim Adeyemi soon doubled the lead from the penalty spot before Raphinha hit back to strike again in the 57th minute.
Lamine Yamal added the fourth from a free-kick, while Gabriel Jesus marked his Barcelona debut with a late header. Sem Steijn’s consolation ensured Barcelona continued their wait for a Champions League clean sheet, but the attacking display was emphatic.
FERRAN TORRES HAT-TRICK BAGS FOR PSG
PSG started their title defense in style when they dismantled Slovan Bratislava. Dembele set the tone with two goals in six first-half minutes before turning provider for Torres, who tapped in his first of the night.
Torres doubled his tally shortly after half-time before completing his hat-trick from a Dembele corner. Fabian Ruiz added a late sixth while Suleiman Camara scored a consolation for Slovan.
It was a much-needed European boost for PSG after an indifferent home start.
LIVERPOOL TURN THE TABLES ON ATLETICO
Liverpool were given an early reminder of their history with Atlético when Marcos Llorente put the visitors ahead at Anfield. But Arne Slot’s team gradually increased the pressure and finally found an answer through Dominik Szoboszlai.
Alexis MacAllister then converted after the break to fire Liverpool ahead after sustained pressure.
Atlético had chances to make Liverpool pay but the hosts held on for a win that puts them on the front foot in Europe.
ODEGAARD SAVES ARSENAL IN NAPLES
Arsenal’s finishing was anything but clinical against Napoli, but their persistence paid off in the end. After missing several clear-cut chances, the Gunners found their breakthrough through Odegaard.
The captain’s strike from outside was his fourth goal in five games and capped a performance in which Arsenal scored 26 tries.
The winner came after 29 passes, underlining the control Arsenal displayed before Odegaard finally finished.
– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
10 Sep 2026 09:25 IST