Manchester United marked their return to the UEFA Champions League in style on Thursday night, cruising to a 4-0 victory over Azerbaijan’s Sabah at Old Trafford.
Matheus Cunha opened the scoring in the 27th minute before Bruno Fernandes doubled United’s advantage shortly before half-time. Benjamin Šeško then made it three, with Lisandro Martínez completing the rout in the second half.
The victory was Manchester United’s first Champions League appearance in two seasons and gives Michael Carrick’s side a perfect start to their league-phase campaign.
Bayern Munich were equally dominant, beating Norwegian side Bodø/Glimt 5-0.
The German champions were held scoreless in the first half but exploded after the break, with Jamal Musiala opening the scoring before Harry Kane and Alphonso Davies added further goals. Michael Olise then came off the bench to score twice and complete the emphatic win.
Bayern have now won their opening Champions League match in each of their last 23 campaigns.
One of the biggest surprises of the night came in Italy, where Champions League newcomers Como announced themselves on the European stage with a stunning 4-1 win over RB Leipzig.
Martin Baturina gave Como the lead after 15 minutes before Tasos Douvikas doubled their advantage. Assane Diao made it 3-0 early in the second half, and although Leipzig pulled one back through Andrija Maksimović, Máximo Perrone restored Como’s three-goal cushion in stoppage time.
The result was a remarkable moment for Como, who have risen from Italy’s fourth tier to the Champions League in just seven years.
There was late drama in Prague as Lens came from behind to defeat Slavia Prague 3-2.
Slavia, despite being reduced to ten men, looked set for victory after Danijel Šturm scored his second goal in the 88th minute to put the hosts 2-1 ahead.
But Lens refused to give up. Florian Thauvin equalised in the first minute of added time before Ruben Aguilar completed a remarkable comeback with the winner in the 93rd minute.
The other two matches ended in draws.
Fenerbahçe, returning to the Champions League after an 18-year absence, drew 1-1 with Roma in Istanbul. Bryan Cristante put Roma ahead before Archie Brown equalised for the Turkish side shortly after half-time.
And in Eindhoven, PSV were held 1-1 by Shakhtar Donetsk. Gleiker Mendoza gave Shakhtar the lead in first-half stoppage time, but Sergiño Dest equalised shortly after the restart to earn PSV a point.
Champions League results from Thursday:
- Manchester United 4-0 Sabah
- Bayern Munich 5-0 Bodø/Glimt
- Como 4-1 RB Leipzig
- Slavia Prague 2-3 Lens
- Fenerbahçe 1-1 Roma
- PSV Eindhoven 1-1 Shakhtar Donetsk
The results bring the opening matchday of the 2026/27 Champions League league phase to a close, with several of Europe’s biggest clubs making strong starts while newcomers Como provided one of the standout stories of the round.
