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Arsenal's Martin Odegaard
Photo: IMAGO/Arsenal FC v PSV Eindhoven / IMAGO/ANP
Kai Havertz has won the Champions League duel between two German internationals with Arsenal. The Gunners lived up to their role as favourites against PSV Eindhoven with defender Armel Bella-Kotchap convincingly 4-0 (3-0) in the opener. Roger Schmidt and Benfica, on the other hand, were dearly paid by defender Antonio Silva's early misfire in the 0-2 (0-1) defeat to RB Salzburg.
Arsenal set for victory early on. Bukayo Saka (8th minute), Leandro Trossard (20th) and Gabriel Jesus (38th) scored for Spain's Mikel Arteta's team, who remained confident in the second half against the now improved visitors and added to it through Martin Ödegaard (70th). In the parallel match of Group B, Sevilla FC and RC Lens drew 1-1 (1-1).
The Italian champions from Naples, on the other hand, prevailed in Braga thanks to Giovanni di Lorenzo's goal (45+1) and an own goal by Sikou Niakaté (88). The ex-Leipzig Bruma (84th) had scored to equalize in the meantime.
Inter Milan, last season's finalists, left a long-pondering impression. Simone Inzaghi's team were late in avoiding defeat at Real Sociedad from San Sebastian, who are back in the competition for the first time since 2013/2014. Lautaro Martinez scored in the 87th minute to make it 1-1 (0-1).
In Lisbon, an exciting, fast-paced game developed right from the start. Already in the 4th minute Salzburg's Karim Konaté put a foul penalty over the goal. Just nine minutes later, Benfica's António Silva was shown a red card after a handball on the goal line, and Roko Šimić (15th) scored the next penalty. After the break, Oscar Gloukh (51st) stepped up for the visitors and gave Benfica coach Schmidt, once head coach of RB Salzburg, a false start.
Galatasaray Istanbul had already just avoided a false start in FC Bayern's group. Thanks to two goals shortly before the end, the Turkish champions drew 2-2 (0-1) against FC Copenhagen. Sacha Boey (86') and Tetê (88') secured the point for the hosts. Mohamed Elyounoussi (35th minute) and Diogo Gonçalves (58th) had given the Danes the lead. After Elias Jelert was sent off in the 73rd, however, the Scandinavians began to falter.
All matchdays, results and standings of the Champions League can be found here.
jan/dpa/sid