Champions League Matchday 3 Review: Goals Galore Mark Record Setting Night

There was goals galore in the UEFA Champions League matchday 3 with no less than 40 goals finding the back of the net.

It all started with the early kick off with four goals scored in the match pitting CSKA Moscow and Manchester City. CSKA came from two goals down to force a 2-2 draw with the Premier League champions in Russia. City took the lead just before the hour mark, Sergio Aguero tapping in Edin Dzeko’s cut back before the Argie turned creator for James Milner’s strike in the 38^th minute for a 2-0 lead at half time. However, the Russian outfit fought back pulling a goal back through Seydou Doumbia in the 64^th minute before Israeli midfielder Bibras Natcho converted an 86^th minute penalty to draw level and leave City’s qualification hopes in tatters. Manuel Pellegrini’s side are without a win in their first three matches leaving them third on the log, 2 points behind second place Roma and a further 7 adrift of leaders Bayern Munich.

Pep Guardiola’s men put themselves to within a win of securing qualification to the last 16 with a 7-1 demolition job of AS Roma. Arjen Robben netted twice in the first half with Mario Gotze, Robert Lewandowski and Thomas Muller all registering their names on the scoresheet for a 5-0 lead at half time. Gervinho pulled one back for Roma after the breather but substitutes Frank Ribbery and Xerdan Shaqiri joined the Bayern goalscoring party which only ended with the scoreboard reading 7-1 in favour of the visitors.

Three goals either side of half time guided Chelsea to a 6-0 thumping of Slovenian side NK Maribor at Stamford Bridge. Loic Remy put the Blues ahead in the 13^th minute before Didier Drogba converted a penalty midway into the first half, the Ivorian netting his first goal since returning to Chelsea and his 43^rd in the competition. John Terry made it 3-0 before the breather connecting to a cross from Cesc Fabregas. Mitja Viler turned into his own net before a brace from Eden Hazard completed the rout to ensure Jose Mourinho’s men remained top of Group G ahead of Schalke 04 who edged out visitor Sporting 4-3, Cameroon international Jean-Eric Moting with a winning penalty for the Germans in stoppage time.

Lionel Messi and Neymar were both on the scoresheet for Barcelona who easily dismissed Ajax 3-1. Messi assisted Neymar’s opener for the Catalans with 7 minutes on the clock before the Argentine captain turned in one after being set up by Andres Iniesta in the 24 minute. Anwar el Ghazi pulled one back for Frank de Boer side two minutes before the final whistle but any hopes of an unlikely comeback were dashed by Sandro Ramirez who scored in the final minute of added time to give Barca the win, their 67^th home win in the Champions League.

Barca however remain a point behind leaders Paris Saint Germain who needed an 87^th minute strike from Edison Cavani to beat APOEL Nicosia in Cyprus.

Atletico Bilbao fell further behind in Group H after going down 3-1 at the hands of group leaders Porto. Hector Herrera put Porto ahead at the half time mark only for Guillermo Fernandez to equalize for the visitors 13 minutes after the restart. Ricardo Quaresma had the last laugh though as he netted in the 75^th minute to protect Porto’s unbeaten record in the group. The Portuguese side are a point ahead of Shakhtar Donetsk, who dismantled BATE 7-0. Luis Adriano hauled five goals for Shakhtar including two penalties while there were also goals for Alex Teixeira and Douglas Costa.

On Wednesday night, Liverpool welcome Real Madrid at Anfield with victory more vital for them than the visitors. The Reds have never lost to Madrid winning their last encounter 4-0 in their Champions League clash in 2009. Ludogorets will host Basel in the other group fixture.

Last year’s losing finalists, Atletico Madrid will host Malmo FF with Juventus traveling to Olympiacos Piraeus. Bayer Leverkusen will have a date with Zenit in Germany, Monoca will host Benfica while Arsenal and Dortmund will play away to Anderlecht and Galatasaray respectively.

And That's thesteifmastertake!!