Our Champions League awards honour the best – and worst – of the action from Matchday Three.
Moment of the Week
In the Champions League, Real Madrid are Thanos – inevitable.
The holders looked a shadow of that status as Borussia Dortmund carved open Carlo Ancelotti’s side in the opening half at the Bernabeu, but a switch was flicked at the interval.
Los Blancos came out a team transformed after the break, staging a second half comeback to overturn their 2-0 half-time deficit.
Inspired by the magical Vinicius Junior, who hit a hat-trick, the Spaniards scored five times inside the final half an hour to turn defeat into victory.
You can never write this team off.
Player of the Week
Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or, Ballon d’Or.
You might have seen Rio Ferdinand’s Ballon d’Or-inspired verbal diarrhoea when watching Vinicius Junior in last season’s Champions League final, but the ex-England defender’s demand for the winger to be recognised will be even louder now.
Ballon d’or x @vinijr 😂👊🏽
pic.twitter.com/PjfOTIcy1c— Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) June 2, 2024
In the days prior to what is expected to be Vinicius Junior awarded football’s most prestigious individual accolade, the Brazilian delivered a display fitting of the world’s finest footballer.
His hat-trick inspired Real Madrid’s turnaround against Borussia Dortmund, a treble that included two sublime solo efforts.
He is an incredible talent.
Goal of the Week
It’s hard to remember a week in the Champions League with so many stunning goals.
Christian Pulisic scored directly from a corner, Erling Haaland went airborne to score a sensational volley, and the aforementioned Vinicius Junior jinked and weaved a route through Dortmund’s defence singlehandedly.
Out of this world! 🌎
🤯 @ErlingHaaland pic.twitter.com/zkDoUdPCCm
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 23, 2024
Our pick, however, might just be this rocket from Wilfried Singo.
The Monaco centre-back had no right to shoot – let alone score – from there.
Wilfried Singo wonder strike 😱🥵#UCL pic.twitter.com/IoxOheZqIY
— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) October 23, 2024
Stat of the Week
Bayer Leverkusen’s wunderkind is keeping pretty good company when it comes to his European exploits…
Florian Wirtz is a superstar-in-waiting.
15 – Most goals aged 21 or younger in all major European competitions in history:
23 Erling Haaland
21 Kylian Mbappé
20 Ronaldo
17 Lionel Messi
15 Eusébio
15 Florian WirtzCompany. pic.twitter.com/7fOyfInzey
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) October 23, 2024
Tweet of the Week
Just James Milner things.
The three clubs in this season’s Champions League who have at one point employed James Milner are in first, second and third pic.twitter.com/XSGurJ8kVo
— Duncan Alexander (@oilysailor) October 23, 2024
Read – Champions League Team of the Week – Vinicius, Raphinha star
See more – Five of the best players to play for Barcelona and Bayern Munich
