Sensations, Drama, and Heroes: Matchday 4 League Phase Review (November 5)

The second matchday of the fourth round of the 2025/26 Champions League league phase gave fans a set of memorable storylines: historic victories, standout individual performances, dramatic finishes, and important statements in the race for the knockout round. Here are the key highlights.

Historic First for Pafos

Pafos 1–0 Villarreal
Player of the Match: Derrick Lukassen (Pafos)

Something happened in Cyprus that only the most loyal home supporters truly believed in beforehand. Pafos earned their first-ever victory in the main phase of the Champions League, defeating the experienced Villarreal. Derrick Lukassen became a local hero — scoring the decisive goal and leading the team with relentless fight. The final whistle sparked pure emotion on the pitch: tears, embraces, and joy.

Qarabag Show They Fear No Giants

Qarabag 2–2 Chelsea
Player of the Match: Estevão (Chelsea)

An open, high-tempo match. Chelsea equalized early in the second half, but Qarabag showed they can compete even against Premier League top-seven teams. Both clubs now sit on 7 points — the race for qualification remains wide open.

Newcastle Keep Rolling

Newcastle 2–0 Athletic Bilbao
Player of the Match: Sandro Tonali (Newcastle)

The Magpies earned their third consecutive win, matching their iconic run from the 2002/03 era. It wasn’t straightforward, but Joelinton’s second-half goal settled the result, while Tonali conducted the game like a true maestro.

Ajax Crushed as Osimhen Hits a Hat-Trick

Ajax 0–3 Galatasaray
Player of the Match: Victor Osimhen (Galatasaray)

Osimhen delivered the first hat-trick of this Champions League season, reaffirming his elite striker status. Ajax lacked quality in both boxes — zero points after four matchdays puts them on the brink.

Samardžić the Decisive Sniper for Atalanta

Marseille 0–1 Atalanta
Player of the Match: Lazar Samardžić (Atalanta)

Atalanta could have won by a wider margin, but the match was ultimately decided by Samardžić’s thunderous strike. For Marseille, the next match — away to Newcastle — has become must-win.

Benfica Still Pointless

Benfica 0–1 Bayer Leverkusen
Player of the Match: Ibrahim Maza (Leverkusen)

Benfica created chances but wasted them, while Leverkusen scored with their very first accurate shot. The Lisbon side remain on 0 points — a serious crisis that even José Mourinho has not yet found a solution to.

A Football Spectacle in Bruges

Club Brugge 3–3 Barcelona
Player of the Match: Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge)

The match of the round. High pace, interplay, six goals, and a dramatic disallowed 91st-minute strike.
Carlos Forbs was the star of the show with two goals and an assist, but Lamine Yamal also reminded everyone of his extraordinary ceiling with a brilliant finish from Fermín López’s pass.

Kairat Shock Inter with a Stunning Goal — But the Win Stays in Milan

Inter 2–1 Kairat
Player of the Match: Carlos Augusto (Inter)

Kairat became the first team this season to score against Inter in the Champions League. Milan still secured the win, but their upcoming run looks brutal: Atlético, Liverpool, Arsenal, Dortmund.

City Cruise Past Dortmund

Manchester City 4–1 Borussia Dortmund
Player of the Match: Phil Foden (Man City)

Foden scored two near-identical masterpieces, Haaland added another, though Dortmund did create late pressure. City were superior, but not flawless.

Hero of the Day

Carlos Forbs (Club Brugge) — 2 goals + 1 assist vs Barcelona
(Alternative pick: Phil Foden with two sensational strikes)

Standings After Matchday 4

Three clubs remain perfect so far:
Arsenal, Bayern, and Inter.
Notably, Arsenal have yet to concede a goal.