Champions League Kicks Off with Upsets and Draws on Matchday 1
Lisbon,Portugal – September 18,2025 – Sporting Lisbon delivered a dominant performance,defeating Kairat Almaty 4-1 in their Champions League Group Stage opener. The victory came just two days after city rivals Benfica suffered a surprising 2-3 loss to Qarabag, easing pressure on the Sporting faithful.
The match showcased sporting’s attacking prowess, with trincao netting the first two goals in the 44th and 65th minutes, both scored with notable curling shots. Alisson Santos and geovany Quenda quickly followed with goals in the 67th and 68th minutes, respectively, solidifying a agreeable lead for the Portuguese side. Despite the convincing scoreline,Sporting had opportunities to extend their advantage,but Morten Hjulmand missed a penalty in the 21st minute,and Luis Suarez struck the post in the 37th and the crossbar in the 48th. Kairat Almaty managed a consolation goal, but the result was never in doubt.
This Champions League matchday 1 also saw Barcelona’s Marcus rashford struggle, while Fabian Schär’s Newcastle United secured a draw.Bayer Leverkusen also played to a remis. These early results set the stage for a competitive group stage, with significant implications for qualification to the knockout rounds.
