Chijioke Gabriel
Europe’s biggest club competition delivered another week of pulsating football, with heavyweights Arsenal, Bayern Munich, and Manchester City recording commanding wins, while Barcelona were forced into a thrilling 3–3 draw by Club Brugge in Belgium. Matchday 4 of the UEFA Champions League wrapped up on Wednesday night, leaving some sides cruising toward qualification and others clinging to hope.
Wednesday Night (November 5, 2025)
Manchester City 4–1 Borussia Dortmund
At the Etihad, Pep Guardiola’s men were in imperious form. Phil Foden opened the scoring in the 22nd minute after exchanging neat passes with Bernardo Silva before slotting past the goalkeeper. Erling Haaland doubled the advantage seven minutes later with a precise low strike against his former club. Dortmund briefly threatened a comeback when Waldemar Anton curled in a free kick midway through the second half, but City hit back ruthlessly — Foden added his second from close range before Rayan Cherki rounded off a flowing counterattack in stoppage time.
Club Brugge 3–3 Barcelona
In one of the week’s most entertaining fixtures, Club Brugge refused to bow to Barcelona’s star power. The Belgians went ahead through Hans Vanaken’s looping header in the 18th minute before Robert Lewandowski equalised from the spot. Brugge struck again through Ferran Jutglà, only for Raphinha to level matters with a deflected drive. An 83rd-minute goal by Nusa put Brugge 3–2 ahead, but João Félix salvaged a point for Barça with a last-gasp finish.
Galatasaray 3–1 Ajax
Victor Osimhen was the star of the night in Istanbul. The Nigerian striker bagged a hat-trick — heading in the opener from a Ziyech cross, finishing off a counterattack for his second, and drilling home from the edge of the box for his third. Ajax’s lone response came from Brian Brobbey in the 77th minute, but it was too little too late as Galatasaray outmuscled and outplayed their Dutch visitors.
Inter Milan 2–1 Kairat Almaty
Inter extended their perfect record thanks to goals from Lautaro Martínez and Nicolò Barella. The Italian side were made to work hard after Kairat levelled through a deflected free kick, but Barella’s late strike ensured all three points.
Benfica 0–1 Bayer Leverkusen
A scrappy encounter in Lisbon was decided by a single goal — a second-half header from Jonathan Tah following a corner, keeping Leverkusen in contention for the knockouts.
Tuesday Night (November 4, 2025)
Arsenal 3–0 Slavia Prague
Arsenal continued their brilliant European form with another assured victory. Bukayo Saka opened the scoring from the penalty spot after a handball, while Mikel Merino scored twice — first from a lofted Declan Rice pass, then with a glancing header from a Martin Ødegaard cross. The Gunners’ relentless pressing suffocated the hosts and confirmed their dominance atop the group.
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Paris Saint-Germain 1–2 Bayern Munich
In Paris, Bayern Munich delivered a masterclass in resilience. Luis Díaz stunned the home fans with a fourth-minute strike after dispossessing Marquinhos. PSG thought they had equalised through Ousmane Dembélé, but VAR ruled it out for offside. Serge Gnabry doubled Bayern’s lead before halftime, and although Kylian Mbappé pulled one back late on, the Germans held firm even after Díaz saw red.
Liverpool 1–0 Real Madrid
At Anfield, a tense rematch of past finals went Liverpool’s way. Mohamed Salah converted a rebound in the 64th minute after Courtois parried Darwin Núñez’s effort. Madrid pressed for an equaliser, but Liverpool’s backline — marshalled by Virgil van Dijk — stood tall.
Tottenham Hotspur 4–0 FC Copenhagen
Ange Postecoglou’s Spurs dismantled their Danish visitors in North London. Brennan Johnson opened the scoring, Son Heung-min doubled the advantage with a curling finish, and Micky van de Ven added a stunning solo goal. A late strike from Richarlison sealed the rout.
Atlético Madrid 3–1 Union Saint-Gilloise
Atlético were back to their ruthless best. Julián Álvarez volleyed in the opener, Conor Gallagher doubled the lead with a thunderous drive, and Marcos Llorente completed the scoring in stoppage time after Union’s brief fightback.
Juventus 1–1 Sporting CP
Dušan Vlahović put Juventus ahead in the 34th minute, but Sporting’s Maxi Araujo equalised early in the second half with a smart low finish. Both sides shared the spoils in a cagey affair.
Napoli 0–0 Eintracht Frankfurt
Napoli dominated possession but couldn’t find a way past Kevin Trapp, who pulled off several key saves to earn Frankfurt a point.
The Story So Far
With four rounds gone, Arsenal, Bayern, and Manchester City remain flawless, looking every inch like potential champions. Barcelona and PSG, though still in control of their destiny, will be concerned about defensive frailties, while Galatasaray and Club Brugge have emerged as surprise packages.
Victor Osimhen’s hat-trick performance was arguably the highlight of the week, reaffirming his place among Europe’s elite forwards. The battle for qualification now intensifies as clubs eye a place in the knockout stages with two games remaining.