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Champions League

Every Champions League story we publish, newest first.

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Jesús Gil Manzano signals during a Champions League match under the floodlights, wearing his referee kit.

Champions LeagueRules & refereeing10 September 2026

Gil Manzano becomes first Spanish referee in new Champions League league phase

Spanish referee Jesús Gil Manzano will take charge of Fenerbahçe against Roma on Thursday in the opening round of the Champions League league phase. He becomes the first Spanish official to referee a match in the new format of Europe's top club competition. He leads an all-Spanish refereeing team in Istanbul, with Juan Martínez Munuera as fourth official and César Soto Grado on VAR duty.

InfoBlaugrana

·5 min read

Declan Rice controls the ball in an Arsenal shirt during a Champions League match.

ArsenalChampions League10 September 2026

Declan Rice dismisses Arsenal workload fears after World Cup frustration

Declan Rice has put his World Cup fitness problems behind him and says he is ready to handle another season of more than 60 matches for Arsenal. The England midfielder is chasing redemption in the Champions League after last season's penalty shoot-out defeat to PSG in the final. His return to full sharpness coincides with a 1-0 win over Napoli in Arsenal's group stage opener.

Natilla·5 min read

Valdas Dambrauskas gives instructions from the touchline during a Sabah match in the Champions League qualifying rounds.

Champions LeagueManchester United10 September 2026

From winning Who Wants to Be a Millionaire to managing in the Champions League at Old Trafford: Valdas Dambrauskas' unlikely road

Valdas Dambrauskas won about £725 on Lithuania's version of Who Wants to Be a Millionaire in 2002 and used the money to move to London and chase his coaching dream. More than two decades later, he leads Azerbaijani champions Sabah into their Champions League debut at Old Trafford. His path included pub work, newspaper rounds and years of study before a return home launched his managerial career.

Javi

·7 min read

Thibaut Courtois makes a save against Inter in his 100th Champions League appearance for Real Madrid

Champions LeagueReal Madrid10 September 2026

Courtois reaches 100 Champions League games with seven saves against Inter

Thibaut Courtois marked his 100th Champions League appearance with a decisive display against Inter. The Belgian goalkeeper made seven saves, several of them outstanding, to keep Real Madrid alive during the most demanding stretches of the match. He remains the constant factor in a team that is still adjusting to a new era under José Mourinho.

InfoBlaugrana

·5 min read

Sporting CP players celebrate a goal during their Champions League match against Galatasaray

Champions League10 September 2026

Sporting fight back to beat Galatasaray 3-1 in Champions League opener

Sporting CP opened their Champions League campaign with a 3-1 home win over Galatasaray. The Turkish side took the lead, but the Portuguese team responded with three goals to secure all three points. The result gives Sporting an early boost in the group stage.

Javi

·4 min read

Martin Odegaard celebrates scoring Arsenal's winning goal against Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium in the Champions League.

Champions LeagueSerie A10 September 2026

Odegaard strike secures Arsenal win at Napoli in Champions League

Arsenal beat Napoli 1-0 at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium thanks to a goal from Martin Odegaard. The Gunners captain continues his outstanding start to the season and gives the London side a valuable Champions League victory. Mikel Arteta's team takes three points from a very demanding away fixture.

Matt

·4 min read

Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring for Manchester City in the Champions League match away at Porto.

Manchester CityChampions League9 September 2026

Haaland scores twice as Manchester City beat Porto in Champions League opener

Manchester City began their Champions League campaign with a comfortable 2-0 win away to Porto. Erling Haaland scored both goals, punishing the Portuguese side with a clinical double at the Estádio do Dragão. The result puts Pep Guardiola's team at the top of their group after the first round of matches.

varela·5 min read

Martin Odegaard celebrates with Arsenal teammates after scoring the winning goal against Napoli at the Diego Armando Maradona Stadium.

ArsenalChampions League9 September 2026

Odegaard strikes late to give Arsenal opening Champions League win at Napoli

Arsenal kicked off their Champions League league phase campaign with a hard-fought 1-0 victory away to Napoli. Captain Martin Odegaard fired in off the post from the edge of the area in the 75th minute to break the deadlock after his side had wasted several clear chances. The Gunners kept their perfect start to the season alive with all three points in Naples.

Javi

·5 min read

Ferran Torres celebrates one of his three goals for PSG during the 6-1 Champions League victory over Slovan Bratislava.

PSGChampions League9 September 2026

Ferran Torres hat-trick powers PSG to 6-1 Champions League win over Slovan Bratislava

Ferran Torres scored three goals as Paris Saint-Germain opened their Champions League title defense with a commanding 6-1 victory over Slovan Bratislava. The Spanish forward dominated the match and gave Luis Enrique's side a perfect start to the league phase. PSG collected their first three points with a strong all-around performance at home.

Matt

·4 min read

Raphinha celebrates one of his two goals for Barcelona during the Champions League match against Feyenoord

FC BarcelonaChampions League9 September 2026

Raphinha Bags Brace as Barcelona Crush Feyenoord 5-1 in Champions League

The Brazilian winger struck twice to lead a stunning attacking display as Barcelona overpowered Feyenoord in the Champions League. The Catalan side produced a ruthless home victory that confirms their superb form at the start of the season.

InfoBlaugrana

·5 min read