The “Royals” celebrated their fourth win without rested OFB team captain David Alaba with a 3-0 (1-0) against Sporting Braga in the fourth game of Group C on Wednesday. Bayern also remained clean thanks to two goals from Harry Kane. 2:1 (0:0) against Galatasaray Istanbul in Group A.
Kane scored for coach Thomas Tuchel’s side in the 80th and 86th minutes, when the English striker first hit the bar. Bayern remains unbeaten in its 38th consecutive CL group game and is therefore the inaugural group winner. Cedric Bakambu’s goal (93′) came too late. The Turkish champions scored the opening goal through Lucas Torreira in the 62nd minute against undefeated Bayern, but Mauro Icardi was ruled to be offside. ÖFB Legionnaire Konrad Leimer came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute and played in central midfield.
In the parallel game, Manchester United suffered a dramatic 3–4 defeat at FC Copenhagen. 20-year-old ex-Copenhagen professional Rasmus Hjolund gave the “Red Devils” the lead with a brace (3rd, 28th), after which Marcus Rashford received a red card after an unfortunate tackle (42nd). Even before the half-time whistle, Mohammed Elyounoussi (45th) and Diogo Goncalves (45th + 9th) equalized the score with penalties.
Bruno Fernandes managed to retake the lead on points for the English record champions when he was outnumbered (69th), before Lucas Lejarre (83rd) and 17-year-old Swedish super talent Runie Bardaghji (87th) arrived at the Parken Stadium. A powerful half-volley late on brought Copenhagen to ecstasy. Copenhagen moved up to second place with four points, ahead of Galatasaray (4) and ManUnited (3).
At Madrid, Alaba sat on the bench at the same time as shooting star Jude Bellingham. Brahim Diaz (27th), Vinicius Junior (58th) and Rodrigo (61st) scored for coach Carlo Ancelotti’s team. However, Braga missed a big chance to take the lead, with Álvaro Jallo failing to convert a penalty in the sixth minute against Ukrainian Andriy Lunin, who was called off in the Real goal shortly before kick-off.
Real Sociedad had beaten top Portuguese club Benfica Lisbon several times before. After a furious opening leg, the Spaniards won 3–1 (3–0) in San Sebastian. Mikel Merino (6th) made things clear early on with a header, captain Mikel Oyarzabal (11th) following a poor pass from Benfica defender Florentino and Ander Barrentxea (21st) with a powerful shot into the far corner of the cross. Bryce Mendez also hit a penalty over the bar after half an hour; Another goal from Merino (15th) had already been correctly disallowed. After the break, Rafa Silva (49th) scored Benfica’s first goal in the current group stage.
