Twice-defending champions Paris Saint-Germain beat Manchester City 4-2 in a pulsating Champions League encounter on Wednesday, their devastating first-half display proving decisive against a City side playing under a cloud of scrutiny.
On a breathless night featuring 46 goals, Bradley Barcola scored a hat-trick in Liverpool’s 6-3 thrashing of LASK, Aston Villa recorded the biggest European victory in their history with a 6-0 thrashing of Fenerbahce and Real Madrid staged a stunning late comeback to beat AS Roma 4-3. City, who have denied all wrongdoing and appealed the verdict, were carved open by PSG in the first half.
City emerged transformed after the break and Erling Haaland headed in Iliman Ndiaye’s cross in the 53rd minute to become the fastest player to reach 60 Champions League goals, hitting the landmark in 60 games compared with Lionel Messi’s previous record of 80. Desire Doue and Ousmane Dembele scored less than two minutes apart before Warren Zaire-Emery’s clever touch released Vitinha to drive the third beyond Gianluigi Donnarumma in the 32nd minute. At Villa Park, Nicolas Jackson and Ross Barkley both scored twice in a dominant display by the hosts. Johan Manzambi opened the scoring in the 12th minute before Jackson struck in the 31st and 39th minutes to give Villa a commanding halftime lead. However, the visitors mounted a remarkable comeback as Carlos Espi pulled a goal back in the 82nd minute before Endrick levelled three minutes later.