The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League continued this week with another thrilling round of fixtures across Europe. From Chelsea’s ruthless display at Stamford Bridge to Real Madrid’s efficient win over Juventus and Liverpool’s statement victory in Germany, the latest match day served up everything that defines elite European football — goals, drama, and breakout performances.
Chelsea Roar Back with 5–1 Demolition of Ajax
At Stamford Bridge, Chelsea produced their most convincing performance of the season, thrashing Ajax 5–1 in front of a jubilant home crowd. The Dutch side’s early red card — Kenneth Taylor’s dismissal for a reckless challenge — tilted the balance, and Chelsea showed no mercy.
Marc Guíu opened the scoring with a poacher’s finish before Moisés Caicedo and Enzo Fernández added to the tally. The highly rated Brazilian teenager Estêvão converted a penalty with confidence, while academy product Tyrique George sealed the rout late on.
For Chelsea, this was a statement of intent after an inconsistent start to the campaign. Mauricio Pochettino’s side looked cohesive, hungry, and creative — a combination fans had been waiting for. Ajax, meanwhile, were left shell-shocked and now face a tough climb to stay in contention in this new league-phase format.
Bellingham Fires Real Madrid Past Juventus
In Madrid, the reigning European giants Real Madrid edged past Juventus 1–0 in a cagey but high-quality encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu.
The decisive moment came midway through the second half when Vinícius Júnior’s shot rebounded off the post, allowing Jude Bellingham to slot home calmly for his first goal of the European season. The English midfielder’s impact once again proved vital as Madrid maintained their 100% record in the competition.
Juventus defended resolutely and created a few chances through Federico Chiesa and Dusan Vlahović, but couldn’t find a breakthrough. The defeat leaves the Italians with plenty of work to do, while Real Madrid continue to set the pace at the top of the Champions League standings.
Liverpool Thrash Frankfurt to Reignite Their Season
Liverpool produced a commanding performance away in Germany, dismantling Eintracht Frankfurt 5–1 to reignite their European campaign. The hosts struck first through Hugo Ekitike, but Jürgen Klopp’s men responded ferociously.
Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté both scored from corners to overturn the deficit before halftime. Cody Gakpo and Dominik Szoboszlai added further goals after the break, as Liverpool rediscovered their trademark intensity and ruthlessness.
The only downside for the Reds was an injury to striker Alexander Isak, who limped off with a groin issue — a potential concern with key fixtures ahead. Still, the result will do wonders for their confidence after a shaky few weeks domestically.
Bayern Munich Cruise Past Club Brugge
Bayern Munich were in cruise control once again as they brushed aside Club Brugge 4–0 in a one-sided affair at the Allianz Arena.
Teenage sensation Lennart Karl marked his Champions League debut with a well-taken opener, showing composure beyond his years. Harry Kane, Jamal Musiala, and Leroy Sané added further goals to complete a dominant display from Thomas Tuchel’s side.
The win keeps Bayern among the competition’s elite front-runners, with their blend of experience and emerging youth continuing to impress. For Brugge, it was a sobering reminder of the gulf in class at the very top level.
Spurs Hold Monaco in Goalless Stalemate
Tottenham Hotspur battled to a 0–0 draw away to AS Monaco in a tightly contested affair. While Spurs extended their unbeaten start to Europe’s top competition, they will rue several missed opportunities to take all three points.
Goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario was outstanding for the visitors, making a string of crucial saves to deny Wissam Ben Yedder and Takumi Minamino. However, Tottenham lacked cutting edge up front, with Richarlison and Son Heung-min both failing to convert good chances.
A point away from home is always valuable in Europe, but Ange Postecoglou’s men will need to turn draws into wins if they hope to secure a high placement in the league-phase table.
Trends and Talking Points
New Format, Higher Stakes: With the new league-phase replacing traditional groups, every match carries more weight. One heavy defeat or surprise draw can drastically change a team’s position.
Youth on the Rise: Players like Estêvão (Chelsea) and Lennart Karl (Bayern) are making an early mark, signaling a new generation of Champions League talent.
Big Clubs in Control: Real Madrid, Bayern, and Chelsea are asserting dominance early, while Juventus and Ajax find themselves on the back foot.
Injury Concerns: Liverpool’s Isak and other key players across Europe will test the depth of their squads in coming weeks.
What’s Next
Matchday 4 promises another round of blockbuster fixtures as teams begin to jostle for qualification positions in the new 36-team league table. With Real Madrid and Bayern looking unstoppable and English clubs showing renewed confidence, the race for supremacy is heating up fast.
Expect tactical adjustments, high drama, and perhaps a few more breakout stars as the Champions League continues to deliver under the lights of Europe’s greatest stadiums.
Final Word
This week’s action reminded us why the Champions League remains the pinnacle of club football. From Chelsea’s youth-led resurgence to Bellingham’s brilliance and Liverpool’s resurgence, Europe’s elite are finding form at the perfect time. As the dust settles on M
atchday 3, one thing is certain — the battle for continental glory has only just begun.