Champions League 2025/26: A Bright Start to the Main Stage

On September 16, the main stage of the 2025/26 Champions League kicked off with two exciting matches. London’s Arsenal and Belgian debutants Union Saint-Gilloise celebrated victories.

Athletic Bilbao — Arsenal 0:2
The London club earned a confident win in Spain. Both goals came in the second half, scored by substitutes. Gabriel Martinelli opened the scoring just 30 seconds after coming on, and later Leandro Trossard sealed Mikel Arteta’s team’s success.

PSV — Union Saint-Gilloise 1:3
The Belgian side played their debut match in the Champions League and immediately caused a sensation with an away win over PSV. By the 39th minute, the visitors were already 2:0 up thanks to goals from Promise David (penalty) and Aït El Hadj. Near the end, Kevin Mac Allister made it 3:0, while the hosts’ only goal was scored by Ruben van Bommel, son of the legendary Mark van Bommel.

The matchday continues with four more fixtures:

• Benfica vs Qarabag

• Real Madrid vs Marseille

• Tottenham vs Villarreal

• Juventus vs Borussia Dortmund