The UEFA Champions League league phase kicked off with a bang on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, as Arsenal FC stunned Athletic Club 2-0 at San Mamés Stadium in Bilbao, Spain — the first goal of the new era in European club football. By the time the final whistle blew on Thursday, September 18, 2025, a staggering 67 goals had been scored across 18 matches, shattering previous Matchday 1 records and signaling a seismic shift in how the competition is played. Gone are the days of tight group stages; this is a 36-team single-league format, where every game matters, and every goal counts.
The Opening Night Shockwaves
It wasn’t just Arsenal’s away win that grabbed headlines. At the same time in Eindhoven, Union Saint-Gilloise — a Belgian side last seen in the Champions League over 60 years ago — dismantled PSV Eindhoven 3-1, sparking pandemonium in the stands and disbelief in the commentary box. The underdogs didn’t just compete; they controlled the tempo, with 21-year-old forward Jules De Vos scoring twice. Meanwhile, Real Madrid CF survived a scare at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium, falling behind 1-0 in the 22nd minute to a curling strike from Timoti — a name few had heard before. Kylian Mbappé equalized from the spot in the 41st minute, but the real drama came in the 78th, when referee Daniele Orsato showed Kavaja a red card — the first of the season — for a reckless challenge on Jude Bellingham. "That’s not just a foul," commentator Marcel said. "That’s a message. This season’s got teeth."Goal Fests and Historic Draws
Wednesday night delivered the most chaotic spectacle yet. At Allianz Stadium in Turin, Juventus FC and Borussia Dortmund combined for eight goals in a 4-4 thriller — four of them scored in the final 20 minutes. Admy opened the floodgates for Dortmund in the 52nd, but Juventus’ Dusan Vlahovic responded with a hat-trick, including a stunning 89th-minute bicycle kick. It was the most goals ever in a single Champions League match since 2003. At Parc des Princes, Paris Saint-Germain annihilated Atalanta BC 4-0, with 18-year-old phenom Amin Sarr scoring twice in his Champions League debut. In Liverpool, Liverpool FC edged Atlético de Madrid 3-2 in a match that had fans on the edge of their seats until the final whistle — Mohamed Salah’s 87th-minute winner was pure magic.
The Format Change: Why This Matters
This isn’t just another season. The new league phase — replacing the old group stage — means every team plays eight matches against randomly drawn opponents, no longer confined to a group of three. The top eight qualify automatically for the round of 16. Teams finishing 9th through 24th enter a playoff. And those below 25th? Eliminated. No second chances. No safety net. "It’s brutal," said former UEFA technical director Rui Costa in a recent interview. "You can’t afford to drop points. One bad week, and your season’s over. The pressure is unlike anything we’ve seen." That pressure showed. FC Bayern München beat Chelsea FC 3-1 at the Allianz Arena, but lost their captain Joshua Kimmich to a hamstring injury — a blow that could ripple through their campaign. Meanwhile, FC Barcelona crushed Newcastle United FC 2-1 at St. James' Park, with Robert Lewandowski scoring his first Champions League goal since joining the club.What’s Next? The Road to January
Matchday 2 arrives on September 23-24, with Manchester City FC hosting Bayer 04 Leverkusen at the Etihad Stadium — a rematch of their dramatic 2-0 win on Matchday 1. But the real bombshell comes on Matchday 5, November 25-26, 2025, when Ajax travels to face Benfica in Amsterdam, and Manchester City hosts Leverkusen again — this time as the underdogs, after their shocking 2-0 loss in the reverse fixture. And don’t forget the tiny venues. Bodø/Glimt will host Juventus at Aspmyra Stadion in Norway, with just 7,824 seats — the smallest stadium in Champions League history. The atmosphere will be electric.
Why the Numbers Tell the Real Story
- 67 goals across Matchday 1 — highest ever in a single matchday - 18 matches, 18 different stadiums, 9 countries - 4 teams scored 4+ goals: Union Saint-Gilloise, Juventus, Dortmund, PSG - 3 red cards issued (including Kavaja’s historic one) - 18 goals scored in the final 15 minutes of matches - 36 teams, 8 matchdays, 1 champion — no second chancesFrequently Asked Questions
How does the new 36-team league format change the Champions League?
The old group stage (eight groups of four) is gone. Now, all 36 teams play in one giant league table, each facing eight opponents (four home, four away) randomly drawn. Top eight qualify directly for the round of 16; 9th to 24th enter a two-legged playoff. Teams finishing 25th or lower are eliminated — no more safety net. It’s high-risk, high-reward football.
Who scored the first goal of the 2025-26 Champions League season?
Timoti, a little-known midfielder for Olympique de Marseille, scored the opening goal in the 22nd minute against Real Madrid CF at the Santiago Bernabéu Stadium on September 16, 2025. He had only made his first-team debut in April 2025 and had never scored in European competition before. His goal was the first in the new league phase era.
Why is Union Saint-Gilloise’s win over PSV such a big deal?
Union Saint-Gilloise hadn’t played in the Champions League since 1963 — over 60 years. Their 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven was their first Champions League victory since 1958. They’re the first Belgian team to win an away match in the competition since 2015. Their rise from the Belgian second tier just five years ago makes this one of the most remarkable underdog stories in European football history.
Which team had the most goals in Matchday 1?
Three teams scored four goals each: Union Saint-Gilloise (vs. PSV), Juventus (vs. Dortmund), and Borussia Dortmund (vs. Juventus). No other team reached four. PSG also scored four, but in a single match against Atalanta, making them the only team to score four in a shutout. Dortmund and Juventus combined for eight goals in their 4-4 draw — the most in a single match this season.
When is Matchday 2, and what are the biggest fixtures?
Matchday 2 runs September 23–24, 2025. The biggest clash is Manchester City vs. Bayer Leverkusen at Etihad Stadium — a rematch of their 2-0 City win on Matchday 1. Also watch: Liverpool vs. Bayern Munich at Anfield, and Barcelona vs. Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. Leverkusen’s unbeaten start makes them the early surprise package of the season.
What’s the significance of Kavaja’s red card?
Kavaja’s dismissal in the 78th minute of Real Madrid vs. Marseille was the first red card of the 2025-26 Champions League season — and the first ever in the new league phase format. It was a late, reckless tackle on Jude Bellingham, deemed by UEFA as "endangering the safety of an opponent." It sets a tone: this season will be more physically intense, with VAR and referees cracking down harder on dangerous play. Expect more cards in the coming weeks.