“Kings of Late Goals” – Liverpool Stun Atlético Madrid

Liverpool did it again – this time in their opening match of the new unified Champions League group stage, snatching a dramatic last-gasp 3-2 victory over visiting Atlético Madrid.

At Anfield, Liverpool extended their winning streak to five matches, in a game that also marked the debut of their new Swedish star Alexander Isak.

This was the third time in four matches that the Reds have secured victory in stoppage time, with the decisive goal once again coming from Dutch defender Virgil van Dijk, further cementing Liverpool’s reputation as the true “kings of late goals.”

Liverpool wasted no time, scoring twice inside the opening six minutes. First, Scottish full-back Andy Robertson — making his first start of the season — redirected Mohamed Salah’s free-kick into the net past Slovak goalkeeper Jan Oblak, who was making his 500th appearance for Atlético in all competitions.

Moments later, Salah doubled the lead with a brilliant solo run and composed finish (6’). 

Atlético, however, pulled one back through Marcos Llorente just before halftime, and the same player struck again in the 81st minute to level the score. But Liverpool had the final say, as Van Dijk rose highest to head home Dominik Szoboszlai’s corner in the 90+2 minute to secure all three points.

Champions Show No Weakness

Elsewhere, defending champions Paris Saint-Germain made a dominant attacking display, sweeping aside Italian side Atalanta 4-0 despite missing two key players through injury — Ousmane Dembélé and Désiré Doué.

PSG struck early when Brazilian captain Marquinhos won possession from Daniel Maldini, combined with Fabián Ruiz, and smashed the ball into the net (3’).

Georgian star Khvicha Kvaratskhelia added a stunning second with a dazzling run down the right and a powerful strike from the edge of the box (39’).

After Bradley Barcola missed a penalty just before halftime, he made amends in the second half by setting up Portuguese full-back Nuno Mendes, who skipped past defenders and scored from a tight angle (51’). 

Substitute Gonçalo Ramos completed the rout with a stoppage-time strike (90+1’).

Meanwhile, last season’s runners-up Inter Milan opened their campaign with a 2-0 win away at Ajax, thanks to two headers from French striker Marcus Thuram — both from Hakan Çalhanoğlu corners (42’, 47’).

World Champions Fall in Munich

In Munich, England captain Harry Kane led Bayern to a 3-1 victory over Chelsea, scoring twice in his 17th career encounter against the Blues — first from the penalty spot (27’) and then from open play (63’).

Bayern had earlier gone ahead when Trevoh Chalobah deflected a Michael Olise cross into his own net (20’), while Cole Palmer briefly gave Chelsea hope with a clinical finish (29’).

The Bavarians continue their strong start to the season, having already won the domestic Super Cup, their opening three league matches, and secured victory in the cup competition.

Chelsea, meanwhile, suffered their first defeat since their 3-1 loss to Flamengo in the Club World Cup final on June 20.

Bayern took the lead when Trevoh Chalobah turned a cross from Frenchman Michael Olise into his own net while trying to clear it (20’).

Harry Kane doubled the advantage from the penalty spot after winning it himself following a foul by Ecuadorian Moisés Caicedo (27’).

Cole Palmer spoiled goalkeeper Manuel Neuer’s celebration of becoming the oldest player (39 years and 174 days) in Bayern’s history to feature in a Champions League match, when he reduced the deficit with a counterattack after receiving a pass from Frenchman Malo Gusto, firing powerfully to the right of the veteran keeper — who also became just the fourth player in the competition’s history to reach 100 wins, after Portuguese star Cristiano Ronaldo, his former Bayern teammate Thomas Müller, and Spanish goalkeeper Iker Casillas (29’).

After a Palmer goal was disallowed for offside, Kane restored the two-goal difference with a precise finish to the left of Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sánchez, capitalizing on a defensive error by Gusto (63’).