CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUND-UP

in #sports7 years ago

Yes, after a long wait, the 2017/2018 Champions League Season is underway. The first day of champions league football saw huge scorelines across Europe.

Manchester United made a winning return to the Champions League with a deserved home victory over Swiss side Basel.

Manchester ran out 3-0 winners on a comfortable night of champions league football.

Marouane Fellaini, who came on for the injured Paul Pogba in the first half, rose highest to head United ahead from an Ashley Young cross with 10 minutes to go to the break.
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Romelu Lukaku strengthened their grip on the encounter by converting from among a group of players in the box from a Daley Blind cross following a short corner.

Marcus Rashford fired in his side's third from a Fellaini low cross seven minutes after coming on. The striker has now scored in his first appearance in the Champions League, Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, League Cup and for England.

Celtic were once again embarrassed at home by Paris St. Germain, as the Paris based team demolished Celtic five goals to nil. Goals from Neymar (19' minute), Mbappe (34' minutes), Cavani (40' minutes pen, 85' minutes) and a Lustig own-goal in the 83rd minute ensured PSG topped Group B on goals difference. _97779221_mbappe1.jpg

Way back in London, FK Qarabag were been given a welcome to champions league whipping. Chelsea were comfortable 6-0 winners on the night. Goals from Pedro (5' minutes), Zappacosta (30' minutes), Azpilicueta (55' minutes), Bakayoko (71' minutes), Batshuayi (76' minutes, 82' minutes) were enough to make Chelsea winners.

Davide Zappacosta scored a spectacular goal and Michy Batshuayi netted twice as Chelsea equalled their biggest Champions League win with a thrashing of competition debutants Qarabag.

The Blues - making their return to European competition having failed to qualify last season - rested several first-team players for the visit of the Azerbaijani champions, but still won with ease.

Pedro opened the scoring with a 20-yard curler from Willian's lay-off.

Italy right-back Zappacosta, on his first Blues start, ran 50 yards down the right wing, before sending over a cross that flew past Ibrahim Sehic.

Cesar Azpilicueta headed home a third after the break from Cesc Fabregas' cross.

Willian hit the crossbar, and substitute Tiemoue Bakayoko scored his first Blues goal with a deflected shot from close range.

Batshuayi then scored twice in the final 15 minutes - firing in from outside the box after being picked out in space by Bakayoko and then scrambling home Zappacosta's cross.

The win was always likely to be the easiest game in the group, with Roma and Atletico Madrid the other two teams in Group C. Those sides drew 0-0 in Rome's Olympic Stadium.

Finally, Juventus lost to a rampant Barcelona by 3 goals to nil. Two goals from Messi and a goal from Ivan Rakitic made a perfect revenge for last season's Quarter Final defeat.

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Photo Credits:BBC SPORTS

Match Preview for Match Day 2 coming soon.