Real Madrid’s big stars turned on the style to revive the Spanish giant’s faltering Champions League title defense on Tuesday. Galacticos Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior, and Jude Bellingham all scored in a thrilling 3-2 win at Italian league leader Atalanta. Madrid's win was crucial as Mateo Retegui missed a golden chance to level the game in stoppage time.
Madrid's victory, only their third in the competition's revamped league phase, places the 15-time champion in the unseeded playoff positions in 18th place. Coach Carlo Ancelotti emphasized the importance of the win, acknowledging the team's need to compete and suffer in the Champions League.
Liverpool, the six-time champion, continues to lead the way after securing a 1-0 win against Girona, maintaining a perfect record in Europe this season. Paris Saint-Germain also secured a much-needed win by defeating Salzburg 3-0, placing them in the last playoff spot in 24th place.
Bayer Leverkusen sits in second place after a 1-0 victory over Inter Milan, while Aston Villa's 3-2 win against Leipzig places them in third. The top eight teams will advance directly to the round of 16, while positions nine to 24 will face a playoff to progress to the next phase.
Real Madrid's response was crucial after facing three losses in the league phase. Kylian Mbappe, despite an uncertain start, showcased his class by scoring his 50th Champions League goal. Liverpool's Mohamed Salah also reached a milestone with his 50th Champions League goal, securing a 1-0 victory against Girona.
Bayern Munich's 5-1 victory over Shakhtar Donetsk propelled them into the automatic qualifying positions for the round of 16. PSG fought back with a win against Salzburg, moving them into the playoff positions. Leverkusen's recent success continued with a 1-0 win over Inter Milan, placing them in second.
Several other teams, including Aston Villa, Brest, and Sporting Lisbon, showcased strong performances in their respective matches. The Champions League continues to provide thrilling encounters as teams battle for a spot in the knockout stages.
