Champions League Matchweek Three Highlights: Vinicius Junior Shines

Champions League Matchweek Three Highlights

It was an electrifying night in the Champions League as matchweek three brought us an array of memorable goals from some of football’s brightest stars. Vinicius Junior showcased his extraordinary talent with a second-half hat-trick at the iconic Santiago Bernabéu, leading Real Madrid to a stunning comeback against Borussia Dortmund. The visitors, who had taken a commanding 2-0 lead, found themselves on the wrong end of a 5-2 defeat by the final whistle. This performance came just in time for Vinicius, as he made a compelling case ahead of the upcoming Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Alongside Vinicius’s feats, Christian Pulisic netted a remarkable goal, and both Viktor Gyokeres and Jhon Duran continued their scoring streaks, with Duran’s contributions helping Aston Villa ascend to the top of the league-phase table. Here are the key talking points from Tuesday’s thrilling action.

Is Vinicius Poised for the Ballon d’Or?

At halftime in Madrid, Borussia Dortmund was dreaming of their first-ever victory at the Bernabéu, leading 2-0 and looking impressive. The defending champions, Real Madrid, had already suffered a defeat to Lille in the previous matchweek and were in jeopardy of not only losing their 14-match unbeaten home record in the Champions League but also jeopardizing their chances of qualification.

Enter Vinicius Junior. The Brazilian’s dazzling second-half hat-trick turned the game around in spectacular fashion. Dortmund fans must be growing weary of his brilliance. His first goal was a simple tap-in, but the second was a breathtaking 60-yard sprint on the counter-attack, finished with a powerful strike into the corner. His third was a mesmerizing run past three defenders, culminating in a shot that soared over goalkeeper Gregor Kobel.

Vinicius Jr. was nothing short of sensational in the second half, leaving Dortmund helpless in his wake. As accolades pour in for the 24-year-old, he is widely anticipated to take home the coveted Ballon d’Or when the winners are announced in Paris next Monday. He stands as the clear frontrunner for the award, with only Rodri of Manchester City seen as a viable challenger.

His hat-trick also overshadowed the night for a promising young talent, Jamie Gittens, who made history by becoming the youngest Englishman to score against Real Madrid at just 20 years and 75 days old, breaking Alan Smith’s long-standing record from 2001. While Gittens’s future looks bright, the spotlight firmly belongs to Vinicius Jr. for now.

Pulisic’s Olimpico

What do the likes of Thierry Henry, David Beckham, Megan Rapinoe, and now Christian Pulisic have in common? Beyond being right-footed and having played in MLS or for the United States, they have all scored an olimpico—a goal directly from a corner kick. This rare achievement is famously difficult, with even Lionel Messi never having accomplished it despite numerous attempts.

Pulisic joined this exclusive club with a stunning olimpico during AC Milan’s crucial 3-1 victory over Club Brugge. Did he intend to score directly from the corner? With Bruges’ goalkeeper Simon Mignolet caught off his line and leaving a gap at the near post, it’s fair to give Pulisic the benefit of the doubt.

The goal was a much-needed boost for Milan, who had already suffered defeats to Liverpool and Bayer Leverkusen. However, the match was not without drama, as Bruges equalized despite being reduced to ten men after Raphael Onyedika’s red card. The San Siro crowd expressed their frustration when star player Rafael Leao was substituted, but a quick response from substitutes Noah Okafor and Tijjani Reijnders sealed the victory.

Can Villa’s Fairytale Continue?

Unai Emery’s Aston Villa has been the surprise package of the Champions League so far, sitting atop the table after three matches. Who would have predicted this after four decades away from Europe’s premier competition? With victories over Young Boys, Bayern Munich, and Bologna, all without conceding a goal, Villa has emerged as a dark horse in this season’s tournament.

Villa faced a tough challenge at home against Bologna, but second-half goals from John McGinn and Jhon Duran, the latter netting his seventh goal of the season, secured the win. Despite some fans being deterred by high ticket prices, Villa’s early successes have injected excitement into their campaign.

Giants Are Wobbling

As domestic leagues settle into their rhythms, the Champions League’s inaugural league-phase table is still taking shape. Several of football’s heavyweights have yet to find their footing, making the race for automatic qualification to the knockout stages even more intriguing.

Juventus, while unbeaten in Serie A, has struggled in the Champions League, conceding five goals across three matches. Their latest setback came against Stuttgart, who secured a late winner despite Juventus dominating possession.

Similarly, Paris Saint-Germain’s Champions League woes continued as they managed only a 1-1 draw with PSV Eindhoven. The French side struggled to convert their chances, with Ousmane Dembele missing key opportunities, underscoring their difficulties as they prepare to face formidable opponents in the coming weeks.

Gyokeres’ Hot Streak Continues

If Viktor Gyokeres played in a more high-profile league like the Premier League or La Liga, he would undoubtedly be a household name by now. The 26-year-old Swede, who plays for Sporting in the Portuguese league, has been in sensational form, scoring 13 goals in just 11 appearances across both the Primeira Liga and the Champions League this season.

His latest strike helped secure a 2-0 victory against Sturm Graz, adding to an already impressive tally. Gyokeres has been on fire, and with a release clause set at €100 million, clubs across Europe may soon be lining up to secure his services.

Tuesday’s Results