PSG v Tottenham, Liverpool v PSV, and more: Champions League – live

Champions League Delivers Thrilling Midweek Drama Across Europe

The UEFA Champions League once again lived up to its reputation for delivering nail-biting drama and spectacular football on a packed midweek evening. Fans across the continent were treated to a cascade of goals, VAR controversies, and standout individual performances, as Europe's elite clubs battled for supremacy. From Paris to Piraeus, the action was relentless, keeping supporters on the edge of their seats.

PSG and Tottenham Share Spoils in Parisian Thriller

One of the night's most anticipated clashes saw Paris Saint-Germain host Tottenham Hotspur at the Parc des Princes. The match, which concluded 1-1 at half-time, was a testament to both tactical discipline and individual brilliance. Tottenham, sporting a striking yellow kit reminiscent of their classic 1982 FA Cup final attire, began the game with remarkable composure, effectively stifling PSG's formidable attack. Their defensive solidity paid dividends in the 35th minute when Richarlison broke the deadlock with a beautifully constructed team goal. A clever flick from Lucas Bergvall released Archie Gray down the left flank, whose cross found Randal Kolo Muani – on loan from PSG and playing against his parent club – at the far post. Muani headed the ball back across goal, leaving Richarlison with a simple tap-in from close range. It was a moment of pure delight for Spurs fans, who had seen their side execute their first-half game plan to perfection.

However, PSG, the reigning champions, refused to be outdone. Just before the half-time whistle, Vitinha unleashed an "absolute pearler" from the edge of the box. The ball rolled invitingly, and the midfielder adjusted his feet expertly to arrow a rising bullet into the top right-hand corner, leaving the Spurs goalkeeper with no chance. It was a sickener for Tottenham, who had been seconds away from taking a precious lead into the break, but a goal of undeniable quality.

The team news for this encounter saw Tottenham make five changes following a disappointing 4-1 defeat to Arsenal. Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall, Pedro Porro, Pape Matar Sarr, and Randal Kolo Muani all stepped into the starting XI, injecting fresh energy and tactical adjustments into the side.

Liverpool's Rollercoaster Ride Against PSV

Anfield witnessed its own brand of chaos as Liverpool faced PSV Eindhoven, with the match ending 1-1 at the break. The game began in calamitous fashion for the Reds when captain Virgil van Dijk conceded an early penalty in the 6th minute. The Dutch defender inexplicably raised his arm in the box, leading to a spot-kick that Ivan Perisic coolly converted into the bottom right corner. Van Dijk's "utter nonsense" decision left manager Arne Slot visibly frustrated, especially given Liverpool's recent struggles and the narrative that "when Liverpool go behind, Liverpool lose."

However, Liverpool responded with characteristic resilience. In the 16th minute, Cody Gakpo's powerful dribble and shot were parried by Matěj Kovář, only for Dominik Szoboszlai to pounce on the rebound and slam it home from 12 yards, providing the "perfect response to a(nother) crisis." The match continued to be a frantic affair, described as a "basketball game" due to the lack of control from both sides. Virgil van Dijk's challenging start continued as he received a yellow card for a late tackle, and a subsequent PSV goal was disallowed for offside, further highlighting Liverpool's defensive vulnerabilities.

Manager Arne Slot had made two significant changes to his starting lineup following an "embarrassing 3-0 home reverse to Nottingham Forest." Alisson Becker, who had only recently returned from injury, was absent again due to illness, with Giorgi Mamardashvili stepping in. Upfront, Hugo Ekitiké was preferred over Alexander Isak, who dropped to the bench. Slot's pre-match comments to TNT Sports reflected on the Forest defeat, emphasizing the need for better defensive moments despite high ball possession, and explaining his team selections based on player fitness and tactical needs.

Mbappé's Lightning Hat-Trick for Real Madrid

In Piraeus, Real Madrid demonstrated their pedigree by overcoming an early deficit against Olympiacos to lead 3-1 at half-time, largely thanks to a breathtaking performance from Kylian Mbappé. Olympiacos initially stunned the Spanish giants when Francisco Chiquinho lashed a glorious low drive into the bottom-left corner in the 8th minute. This early setback added "more problems for the (preposterously) under-pressure Xabi Alonso," as Real had been on top in the opening moments.

However, Real Madrid's response was swift and decisive, spearheaded by their talismanic forward. Mbappé equalized in the 22nd minute, latching onto a Vinícius Júnior pass and slamming it into the bottom left. Just two minutes later, he rose to plant a header into the top left from an Arda Güler cross, completing a rapid turnaround. But the best was yet to come: in the 29th minute, Eduardo Camavinga released Mbappé, who advanced into the box and slotted a shot across Kostas Tzolakis into the bottom right. This completed a sensational hat-trick in an astonishing six minutes and 42 seconds, making it the second-fastest in Champions League history, only trailing Mohamed Salah's six-minutes-and-12-seconds effort against Rangers.

Aurélien Tchouaméni later rattled the crossbar with a powerful 25-yard shot, underscoring Real's dominant response to falling behind.

Arsenal and Bayern Munich Exchange Blows

The highly anticipated clash between Arsenal and Bayern Munich also saw goals traded in the first half, ending 1-1. Arsenal took the lead in the 22nd minute through Jurriën Timber, a goal that was notably a "set piece." Bayern Munich, however, quickly responded through their 17-year-old sensation, Lennart Karl, who equalized in the 32nd minute, showcasing the emergence of young talent across the European stage. This fixture, a classic Champions League encounter, was being covered extensively on a bespoke live blog.

Other Notable Half-Time Scores and Early Results

Elsewhere, the Champions League provided plenty of talking points:

• Atlético Madrid 1-0 Internazionale: Julián Alvarez scored for Atlético in the 9th minute after a VAR review overturned an initial handball decision against Álex Baena, confirming a chest touch.
• Sporting 2-0 Club Brugge: Sporting enjoyed a comfortable lead thanks to goals from Geovany Quenda (24') and Luis Suárez (31'). Quenda, set to join Chelsea next season, opened the scoring, while Suárez, replacing Viktor Gyökeres, doubled the advantage with a clinical finish from a lovely reverse pass by Geny Catamo. The match also saw a VAR incident where Morten Hjulmand's red card for a high kick was overturned after review, deeming his attempt to pull his boot away sufficient.
• Eintracht Frankfurt 0-0 Atalanta: A cagey affair saw both teams heading into the break without a goal.

Earlier 5:45 pm GMT kick-offs had already concluded:

• Copenhagen 3-2 Kairat: Copenhagen secured their first three points of the campaign, surviving a spirited late comeback from Kairat after being three goals up with nine minutes remaining.
• Pafos 2-2 Monaco: Cypriot underdogs Pafos snatched a 2-2 draw in Limassol thanks to a late own goal from Monaco defender Mohammed Salisu, placing them in the play-off positions.

The Guardian Kicks Off New Puzzle Chapter with "On the ball"

Beyond the pitch, The Guardian announced an exciting new venture for football enthusiasts: the launch of its first daily football game, "On the ball." This innovative puzzle is now live and accessible within The Guardian's app for both iOS and Android users, offering a fresh way for fans to engage with the beautiful game daily.

Pre-Match Insights and Fan Reactions

The build-up to the evening's matches was filled with anticipation and strategic insights from managers. Arne Slot, speaking before Liverpool's game, reflected on the recent Nottingham Forest defeat, acknowledging the need for better defensive execution despite high ball possession. He also confirmed Alisson's illness and detailed tactical changes, including Curtis Jones at right-back and Dominik Szoboszlai in midfield, along with Hugo Ekitiké starting over Alexander Isak due to fitness concerns.

Thomas Frank, ahead of PSG's clash, emphasized a forward-looking approach, focusing on the immediate challenge and the need for his team to "compete," "be brave," and "be aggressive" against a "very mobile team."

Fan sentiment, as captured in the pre-match postbag, ranged from tactical musings to humorous rivalries. Richard Hirst, a Fulham supporter, openly wished for Spurs to be "clobbered tonight" to leave them "wounded for Saturday’s big one." Matthew Carpenter-Arevalo, a Spurs fan, pondered the dilemma of watching his team or hoping for Harry Kane and Bayern to "spank Arsenal." Joe Pearson weighed in on Liverpool's defensive pairings, favoring Robertson over Kerkez due to Van Dijk's apparent synergy with the former.

Champions League Standings Heading into the Evening

As the evening's matches kicked off, the Champions League group stage standings provided a snapshot of the competition's intensity:

The Champions League continues to deliver on its promise of high-stakes football, with every match contributing to the intricate dance of qualification and glory. As teams head into the second half of these crucial encounters, the drama is far from over.