Our Champions League Awards honour the best – and worst – of the matchday one action, featuring Juventus, Marcus Rashford and more.
Moment of the Week
Juventus and Borussia Dortmund delivered an absolute classic on matchday one, as two teams looking to return to former glories traded blows in Turin. Dortmund led three times in the contest, and boasted a 4-2 advantage in the 94th-minute.
Incredibly, Juventus refused to give up.
The Serie A side pulled one back through Dusan Vlahovic in the final moments, before going again to find a late, late leveller.
Lloyd Kelly was the unlikely hero for the Old Lady, as the former Bournemouth defender arrived unmarked to meet Vlahovic’s cross and equalise in the final seconds. What a game, and what an advert for this incredible competition.
Still thinking about this Juventus-Dortmund game 🤩
Englishman Lloyd Kelly grabbing a 96th-minute Juventus equaliser in the eight-goal thriller 🍿 pic.twitter.com/YsDUlO3dub
— BBC Sport (@BBCSport) September 17, 2025
Player of the Week
Dusan Vlahovic could have thrown his toys out the pram this season. The forward’s summer was spent linked with a move away, as Juventus quite publicly looked to offload the Serbian striker from the wage bill.
Jonathan David and Lois Openda arrived as alternate attacking options, with that duo starting against Dortmund despite Vlahovic’s impressive cameos so far this season.
🔥 Dušan Vlahović is on fire:
⚽️ 4 goals
🅰️ 1 assist
📊 in just 5 gamesSilencing the critics loud and clear 💪⚪️⚫️ pic.twitter.com/5QuTgGpmlE
— Italian Football TV (@IFTVofficial) September 17, 2025
The 25-year-old has netted twice in Serie A despite limited involvement this season, and stated his case for a starting role again against Dortmund.
Off the bench with Juventus trailing, Vlahovic netted twice for the Italian giants and set up the equaliser as the Bianconeri fought back to earn a point. He’s now averaged a goal or assist every 28.4 minutes this season.
Goal of the Week
There aren’t many better left foots in world football than that of Alejandro Grimaldo.
The Spanish defender hit a free-kick of trademark technique to ensure Leverkusen left FC Copenhagen with a point on matchday one.
Alex Grimaldo hits a stunning free-kick 🎯
📺 @tntsports & @discoveryplusUK pic.twitter.com/QwaGsp51Nc
— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) September 18, 2025
Save of the Week
Many criticised Chelsea’s failure to sign a new goalkeeper this summer but Robert Sanchez was among their best in defeat at Bayern Munich. His sprawling stop to deny Michael Olise was terrific.
Robert Sánchez 🤯
Sommer 🎯
Carnesecchi 👏
Haikin 😮
Staněk 🧤Which save was your favourite?! 🤔@QatarAirways || #LetsFly pic.twitter.com/vYgArG4RT6
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) September 17, 2025
Stat of the Week
Marcus Rashford has now scored as many Champions League goals (14) as Ronaldo Nazario. The England international’s double to down Newcastle United has announced his arrival as a Barcelona player.
A week to forget for…
Galatasaray. Things looked to be going to plan when the Turkish Super Lig champions led inside eight minutes at Eintracht Frankfurt, but a self-inflicted collapse led to a heavy defeat.
Own goals from Davinson Sanchez and Wilfried Singo helped turn the tide for Frankfurt, while a goal from Turkish international Can Uzun further rubbed salt in Galatasaray wounds. Frankfurt ran out 5-1 winners at full-time, adding to the narrative that Turkish teams remain poor travellers in Europe.
Read – Iconic Performances: Asprilla’s hat-trick downs the mighty Barcelona at St James’ Park
See more – The fastest players to 50 Champions League goals as Haaland destroys record
