Mbappé Returns, Real Madrid Falls to Lille 1-0 \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Real Madrid suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat against Lille in the Champions League, despite Kylian Mbappé’s return from injury. Jonathan David’s penalty sealed Lille’s win, while Brazilian teenager Endrick set a record as Madrid’s youngest starter. Elsewhere, Aston Villa defeated Bayern Munich, Liverpool won against Bologna, and Juventus battled to victory over Leipzig.
Real Madrid vs Lille Champions League Quick Looks
- Mbappé’s Return Not Enough for Real Madrid: Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappé made a return after a minor injury but couldn’t prevent Lille from securing a 1-0 victory. Jonathan David scored from the penalty spot after Eduardo Camavinga’s handball was confirmed by VAR.
- Endrick Sets New Record for Madrid: Real Madrid’s 18-year-old forward Endrick set a club record as the youngest-ever starter in a Champions League game, surpassing the previous record held by club legend Raúl González.
- Liverpool Triumphs at Anfield Over Bologna: Liverpool beat Bologna 2-0, with goals from Alexis Mac Allister and Mohamed Salah. The victory marked coach Arne Slot’s first Champions League night at Anfield.
- Aston Villa Edges Out Bayern Munich: Substitute Jhon Duran scored a late, stunning goal to secure a 1-0 victory for Aston Villa against Bayern Munich, echoing their famous 1982 European Cup win.
- Juventus Overcomes Red Card to Beat Leipzig: Juventus battled through a red card, securing a dramatic 3-2 victory over Leipzig. Dusan Vlahovic scored twice to help his team claim the win despite being down a man.
Deep Look
In a thrilling set of Champions League fixtures, Real Madrid suffered a stunning 1-0 loss to Lille, marking the defending champions’ first defeat in the competition since a 4-0 blowout against Manchester City in the 2023 semifinals. Lille’s Canadian striker Jonathan David scored the decisive goal from a penalty in first-half stoppage time. The penalty was awarded after a video review confirmed that Real Madrid midfielder Eduardo Camavinga had committed a handball in the box. David, fresh off scoring a hat trick over the weekend, calmly dispatched the spot-kick, sending goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, who was standing in for the injured Thibaut Courtois, in the wrong direction.
Real Madrid’s talismanic forward, Kylian Mbappé, was named on the bench as a precautionary measure after a minor hamstring injury. He was brought on in the 57th minute, but despite his presence, Real Madrid couldn’t break down Lille’s resolute defense. Mbappé’s introduction did bring a surge of energy to Real Madrid’s offense, but Lille, organized and disciplined, thwarted every attempt. Mbappé’s efforts included several dangerous runs and a few shots on goal, but none managed to beat Lille’s determined backline and their goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier, who made a number of crucial saves.
Young Star Endrick Makes History
On the bright side for Real Madrid, the match was historic for Brazilian teenager Endrick, who became the youngest player to start a Champions League game for the club at 18 years and 73 days old. This achievement broke the long-standing record held by club icon Raúl González, who made his first start at 18 years and 78 days old in 1995 against Ajax. Endrick’s inclusion in the starting eleven reflects the growing confidence that manager Carlo Ancelotti has in his young players. Despite the loss, Endrick put in an impressive performance, showing composure and flashes of skill that promise a bright future.
Liverpool Triumphs Over Bologna
Elsewhere, Liverpool manager Arne Slot experienced his first taste of a Champions League night at Anfield, leading his side to a 2-0 victory over Bologna. Alexis Mac Allister opened the scoring with a well-placed strike, while Mohamed Salah sealed the game with a clinical finish in the second half. The Anfield atmosphere was electric, as Slot soaked in the iconic venue’s energy and watched his players put in a professional and dominant performance against their Italian opponents. Bologna struggled to match Liverpool’s intensity and could not find a way past the Reds’ defense, marshaled effectively by Virgil van Dijk and new signing Ibrahima Konaté.
Aston Villa Stuns Bayern Munich Again
Over in England, Aston Villa once again managed to upset Bayern Munich, winning 1-0 at Villa Park. The last time these two teams faced each other in European competition was in the 1982 European Cup final, where Aston Villa famously won by the same scoreline to claim their first and only major European trophy. This time, the hero was substitute Jhon Duran. The 20-year-old Colombian forward, known for making impactful appearances off the bench, unleashed a brilliant left-footed strike from about 25 meters out to beat Bayern’s veteran goalkeeper Manuel Neuer. Prince William, a lifelong Aston Villa supporter who was born the same year as the 1982 triumph, was present at Villa Park to witness the latest memorable victory, joining in the celebrations with thousands of ecstatic Villa fans.
Aston Villa’s coach, Unai Emery, made an inspired substitution by bringing Duran on in the 70th minute, and it paid dividends as the young striker scored what turned out to be the game-winner just 12 minutes later. Bayern Munich, despite dominating possession for large spells of the game, failed to convert their chances, with key players like Thomas Müller and Leroy Sané missing opportunities that could have changed the outcome of the match.
Juventus Battles Through Adversity to Beat Leipzig
Juventus displayed remarkable resilience as they managed to secure a 3-2 victory against RB Leipzig, despite being reduced to 10 men in the 59th minute. Michele Di Gregorio, the Juventus goalkeeper, was shown a red card for a deliberate handball outside the penalty area, leaving the Italian side shorthanded for more than half an hour of play. Leipzig’s Slovenian forward Benjamin Sesko scored both of the home side’s goals, showing great skill and determination, but Juventus, led by Serbian striker Dusan Vlahovic, fought back admirably.
Vlahovic netted twice to keep Juventus in the game, and it was Portuguese winger Francisco Conceição who scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute, securing a vital win for the Italian side. Leipzig put Juventus under relentless pressure in the final minutes, but Juve’s defense held firm, and they walked away with all three points in what was one of the most exciting matches of the evening.
Other Notable Matches
Earlier in the day, Atalanta and Feyenoord secured wins in the second round of group stage matches. Atalanta comfortably defeated Shakhtar Donetsk 3-0, with goals from Berat Djimsiti, Ademola Lookman, and Raoul Bellanova. Due to ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Shakhtar has been playing its home games in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, and this match was no exception. Despite having the support of a neutral crowd, Shakhtar struggled to keep up with the Italian side’s pace and precision.
Feyenoord edged out a dramatic 3-2 victory against Girona, a new entrant in the Champions League. Girona initially took the lead through David López, but Feyenoord struck back quickly with an own goal from Girona’s Yangel Herrera. Antoni Milambo then gave Feyenoord the lead, but Girona’s Donny van de Beek equalized, making it 2-2. The game was finally decided by another own goal, this time by Ladislav Krejci, giving Feyenoord the victory. Both teams had missed penalties earlier, adding to the excitement and drama of the encounter.
Benfica Cruises Past Atletico Madrid
In another match, Benfica secured an emphatic 4-0 win over Atletico Madrid. Goals from Kerem Akturkoglu, veteran Ángel Di Maria, Alexander Bah, and Orkun Kokcu highlighted a commanding performance by the Portuguese side. Atletico Madrid struggled to contain Benfica’s aggressive attacking style, and Diego Simeone’s team was overrun by Benfica’s midfield dominance.
Monaco Salvages a Draw Against Dinamo Zagreb
Monaco, meanwhile, managed to secure a 2-2 draw against Dinamo Zagreb with a last-minute equalizer. Denis Zakaria’s penalty in stoppage time saved Monaco from a defeat, as Dinamo Zagreb had looked poised for victory before the Swiss international’s late intervention.
Sturm Graz Falls to Club Brugge
Sturm Graz hosted Club Brugge but ended up losing 1-0. The Belgian side secured all three points thanks to a curling strike from Christos Tzolis. Despite their efforts, Sturm Graz was unable to find a way back into the game, and Brugge’s well-drilled defense kept them at bay for the entirety of the match.
The Champions League continues to deliver high-stakes drama, unexpected upsets, and brilliant individual performances. With each round, the storylines become more compelling, setting the stage for what promises to be an unforgettable tournament.
Mbappé Returns Mbappé Returns
