Top 5 Moments from Champions League Matchday 3
We have been treated to yet another thrilling round of games on Matchday 3 of the UEFA Champions League this week, packed full of wonderful strikes and a whole host of other eye-catching incidents to talk about as records tumbled across the continent.
These are the Top Five moments from Europe’s premier club competition these past two days.
It’s Spot on for Returning Drogba
1 of 5While Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard rightly took most of the plaudits after turning in yet another scintillating display against Maribor at Stamford Bridge on Tuesday night, it was actually veteran striker Didier Drogba who was the talk of west London after the match.
That is because the Ivorian legend managed to score his first Blues goal since making an emotional return to the club last summer, helping the home team toward their biggest UEFA Champions League win by bagging their second goal from the penalty spot in the first half.
"Didier Drogba scores for Chelsea for the first time in 885 days (vs. Bayern Munich in the Champions League final). pic.twitter.com/2MNC7FjMFS
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 21, 2014"
The 36-year-old’s last touch as a Chelsea player before his exit two years ago had also been from the penalty spot, as the club beat Bayern Munich in a shootout to claim the cup with the big ears for the very first time in their history.
Drogba once again made no mistake from 12 yards, accurately placing the ball into the same corner of the net as he had also done that night in Munich in May 2012. He has now netted in the competition for an impressive 12 seasons in a row.
"Didier Drogba scores his 43rd CL goal and surpasses Alessandro Del Piero in 8th place of the all-time top scorer list.
— Infostrada Sports (@InfostradaLive) October 21, 2014 "
Irrepressible Robben Helps Bavarians Sack Rome
2 of 5Bayern Munich head coach Pep Guardiola claimed that his side’s 7-1 win against AS Roma at the Stadio Olimpico on Tuesday evening was “not normal,” per BBC Sport. However, when you have world-class players of the calibre of Arjen Robben performing at the very peak of their powers, anything is possible.
While the Bundesliga champions scored some memorable goals in the Italian capital, it was their opener from the effervescent Netherlands international that was the pick of the bunch as the visitors left Rome in ruins on the way to recording their biggest away win in Europe ever.
"74 - Arjen Robben has scored (5) or assisted (3) a goal every 74 minutes this season for FC Bayern (all comps - 592 minutes). Ruthless.
— OptaJohan (@OptaJohan) October 22, 2014"
Picking up possession on the right-hand edge of Roma’s area after playing a neat one-two with captain Philipp Lahm, the 30-year-old cut back inside Ashley Cole on to his deadly left foot before curling an unstoppable effort into the top corner of the net in familiar style.
In fact, you can pretty much now call it a trademark Robben strike, so often has the wing wizard scored such a goal. That will come as no consolation whatsoever to the Giallorossi, though, on a night when they suffered their heaviest home defeat in Europe.
"Arjen Robben game by numbers: 5 shots 2 goals 94% pass success 5 chances created 1 assist Pure class. pic.twitter.com/xU2WxQLp2S
— Squawka Football (@Squawka) October 21, 2014 "
Who Says Tiki-Taka Is Dead?
3 of 5La Liga leaders FC Barcelona warmed up for Saturday’s first Clasico of the season by turning on the style in front of their home fans, seeing off the challenge of Eredivisie champions Ajax by a 3-1 scoreline on Tuesday night.
The Catalan club’s opening goal, scored by in-form forward Neymar after only seven minutes, left spectators speechless following some classic one-touch play. It was the Brazilian’s seventh strike in just his last five games for the club.
"Messi 11 games = 11 goals Neymar 10 games = 10 goals What if Suarez?! pic.twitter.com/FwAsGWOkKz
— BarcaHD (@Barcelona_HD) October 21, 2014"
After a clever exchange of slick passes in midfield between Ivan Rakitic, Lionel Messi and Pedro, the little Argentine attacker released Neymar, who opened up his body before curling the ball into the back of the net with his right foot.
So easy on the eye.
"Beautiful view for Neymar's goal. https://t.co/oSasiRHWP3
— OutsideoftheBoot.com (@OOTB_football) October 21, 2014 "
Adriano Makes It a Record-Breaking Night for the Boys from Brazil
4 of 5Shakhtar Donetsk marksman Luiz Adriano became just the second player ever after Barcelona’s Lionel Messi to score five times in a UEFA Champions League match when the Ukrainian giants thrashed Bate Borisov 7-0 on their travels on Tuesday evening.
"Luiz Adriano is the FIRST player to score FOUR goals in the FIRST half of a CL match. pic.twitter.com/wc3KfD7KLJ
— Football Centre (@FootbaIlCentre) October 21, 2014"
Adriano also became the first man to net four times in a first half in the tournament. Incredibly, the visitors led 6-0 at the interval—a record scoreline at the break for an away side in Europe's premier club competition. The 27-year-old then added another penalty late on to join the four-time FIFA Ballon d’Or winner on five goals.
Meanwhile, all seven of Shakhtar’s strikes on the night were scored by Brazilians. They recorded the joint-biggest victory on the road in Europe’s elite club competition, matching Marseille's demolition of MSK Zilina four years ago.
"Striker Luiz Adriano has now officially become Shakhtar's all time top scorer with 115 goals.
— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStats) October 22, 2014 "
It’s a Standing Ovation for CR7 on Merseyside
5 of 5Real Madrid superstar Cristiano Ronaldo moved a step closer to becoming the UEFA Champions League’s all-time leading scorer after breaking the deadlock with a delicious strike in his side’s 3-0 win at Liverpool on Wednesday evening, as the Reds suffered their heaviest home defeat in Europe ever.
"You'd think Cristiano Ronaldo was breaking enough records for Real Madrid not to make them up? http://t.co/yS7DCthElK pic.twitter.com/R51A87DJF2
— Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) October 23, 2014"
Remarkably, Ronaldo did not manage to score in the first 26 matches he played in the competition, but he has more than made up for that anomaly with 70 goals in just 80 games since.
The 29-year-old is now just one behind former Los Blancos skipper Raul Gonzalez’s record haul.
Not only that, but it was also Ronaldo’s first goal at the sixth time of asking at Anfield.
The home faithful didn't seem to mind in the end judging by the way he was applauded off the pitch after being substituted as a precaution with 15 minutes to go ahead of Saturday’s Clasico.
"Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo is applauded off the pitch by Liverpool supporters #class #LFC pic.twitter.com/gtSMgD3t8U
— Propaganda-Photo.com (@propagandaphoto) October 22, 2014"
After a record-breaking seventh straight victory in Europe, who would bet against the holders becoming the first side in modern history to retain the trophy come Berlin in June?
