Upsets galore in Champions League's second round

Underdogs Aston Villa upstaged Bayern Munich 1-0 in the Champions League on Wednesday thanks to a brilliant late Jhon Duran goal as the hosts celebrated in style their first home game in Europe’s elite club competition for 41 years.

Duran ran onto a high ball in the 79th minute, spotted goalkeeper Manuel Neuer off his line, and scooped the ball over him to send Villa Park into delirium.

It was the 20-year-old Colombian striker's fifth goal from the bench this season after four in the Premier League.

"He’s an excellent substitute. The first time he touched the ball, he chipped Neuer – one of the most beautiful goals in history," said Villa goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, whose saves also played a vital part in securing victory.

The win was a throwback to one of Villa's most glorious days when they beat Bayern to lift the European Cup in 1982.

Duran's goal came against the run of play as the visitors enjoyed two thirds of possession and the best chances but found World Cup-winning goalkeeper Martinez at his best.

Aston Villa's Jhon Duran celebrates scoring his team's decisive goal in the 79th minute.Reuters

In the first half, the Argentine saved a Harry Kane bullet header, though the striker was later ruled offside, then tipped over a shot from Michael Olise.

At the death, with Bayern pressing for an equaliser, Martinez dived athletically to stop a goal-bound Kane header, drawing a roar almost as loud as the goal.

"It's unreal. It's a night that we will remember for a long time. It's a statement," Martinez added. "It was hurting my ears. This is a club that's moving forward. I love playing here. I love the fans."

The result gave Villa two wins out of two in the new 36-team league phase of the Champions League, after a first victory 3-0 at Switzerland’s Young Boys.

Real Madrid’s unbeaten run ends

A first-half penalty earned Lille a shock 1-0 home victory over holders Real Madrid in the Champions League group phase, ending the 15-times European Cup winners' 14-game unbeaten run in the competition.

Jonathan David converted a penalty three minutes into first-half stoppage time to hand Real, who had not lost in their previous 36 matches in all competitions, their first defeat since January.

Lille's Alexsandro celebrates with teammates after the historic 1-0 win against Real Madrid in the second round match of the UEFA Champions League 2024-25. Reuters

The result put Ligue 1 side Lille on three points from two games in the new format of Europe's premier club competition.

Real, who won their opening match against VfB Stuttgart, are also on three points.

Benfica demolish woeful Atletico

Benfica's Kerem Akturkoglu, Angel Di Maria, Alexander Bah and Orkun Kokcu scored in a 4-0 demolition of Atletico Madrid to start their Champions League campaign with two consecutive wins.

A mistake by Atletico's defence helped Akturkoglu open the scoring in the 13th minute and, after the hosts squandered several chances, including a strike off the post by Vangelis Pavlidis, another error ended with a penalty which Di Maria converted.

Bah extended Benfica's lead with a header from a corner in the 75th minute and Kokcu completed the rout against Diego Simeone's side from the penalty spot after Reinildo Mandava fouled substitute Zewki Amdouni.

Benfica's Alexander Bah celebrates scoring their third goal with Tomas Araujo and Nicolas Otamendi against Atletico Madrid. Reuters

Atletico goalkeeper Jan Oblak made a couple of stunning saves to deny late efforts which saved the visitors from a even worse humiliation.

"It's pitiful to lose like this, it's not a good image to give and there's not much more to say. We weren't good today, to say the least," Oblak told Spanish television Movistar Plus.

"Sometimes games like this happen, but we can't afford it because we gave an woeful impression today. I don't have a single positive thing I can say today.

"We didn't show up and there's not much more to say. Nobody is saved from what happened today, we have to accept it and move forward."