The opening night of the Champions League group stages went very much to script with the only surprise a CSKA victory away to Benfica in Group A.
In fact the opening night will probably be most memorable for the heavy beatings inflicted by PSG and Chelsea on their respective opponents Celtic and FK Qarabag. In all 28 goals were scored in the eight games.
🔴 Man Utd 3-0 Basel
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 12, 2017
🔵 Chelsea 6-0 Qarabag
🍀 Celtic 0-5 PSG
Just the 28 goals across Europe tonight. Here are all the FT scores... 🔽 pic.twitter.com/iqdmdTTUuU
In Group A Benfica were beaten by CSKA Moscow whose 1-2 away victory was secured when Vasin was able to convert a second half penalty at the second attempt.
In the other game Manchester United overcame FC Basel 3-0 with goals from Rashford and Lukaku following up Marouane Fellaini’s opener.
In Group B Celtic found a rampant PSG to hot to handle and went down 5-0 with a Cavani header sealing the deal for the French side late on.
#Celtic fans in full voice still gives me goosebumps... #YNWA pic.twitter.com/4JLwTZF6ev
— Des Cahill (@sportsdes) September 12, 2017
In the other Group B tie Bayern Munich overcame Anderlecht 2-0 with a Thiago goal sealing victory over the 10 man Belgian side in the second half
In Group C Chelsea easily overcame FK Qarabag 6-0 with Pedro’s opener showing the way in an easy victory.
In an absorbing but goalless game in Rome, Roma could not overcome Athlético Madrid despite home advantage.
In Group D Barcelona showed no mercy with an inspirational two goal Lionel Messi putting Juventus to the sword with an easy 3-0 victory.
It's a bit difficult to stop Lionel Messi in this kind of form... 🔥 pic.twitter.com/OjGVTEH0ke
— Squawka Live (@Squawka_Live) September 12, 2017
In the final game Portugese football received some consolation when Olympiakos failed to stop Sporting Lisbon emerging 1-2 victors despite having home advantage.