Liverpool produced a stirring comeback to defeat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield in the UEFA Champions League, recovering from a two-goal deficit to maintain their perfect start to the league phase with a third consecutive victory.
Alexis Mac Allister scored twice, while Ronald Araujo and Florian Wirtz also found the net as Liverpool overturned an early deficit in a thrilling encounter. Georges Mikautadze, Sergi Cardona and substitute Tanitoluwa Oluwaseyi scored for Villarreal, who were left empty-handed despite a spirited performance. Villarreal stunned the home crowd by taking the lead inside the opening four minutes. Virgil van Dijk's misplaced header allowed Mikautadze to seize possession and calmly slot the ball past Alisson into the bottom corner. The visitors continued to trouble Liverpool and doubled their advantage before the half-hour mark. Nathan Saliba released Cardona through on goal, and the left-back kept his composure to beat Alisson with a low finish.
Liverpool responded quickly, reducing the deficit through Mac Allister, who headed home from Kostas Tsimikas' corner to bring the hosts back into the contest. The match developed into an end-to-end affair, with Mac Allister firing narrowly wide from distance before Alisson denied Santiago Mourino with an impressive save. Liverpool found their equaliser in first-half stoppage time when Araujo headed in at the far post following an excellent delivery from Rio Ngumoha, whose attacking contribution helped revive the hosts' hopes.
Villarreal began the second half positively, but Liverpool goalkeeper Peter Gulacsi was called upon to deny Cody Gakpo and Wirtz in quick succession as the home side increased the pressure. Liverpool eventually completed the turnaround when Ngumoha raced towards the byline and delivered the ball for Mac Allister to finish from close range, putting the Reds ahead for the first time in the match. Three minutes later, Wirtz extended Liverpool's advantage with a clinical finish into the bottom corner after receiving a pass from Gakpo. Villarreal refused to surrender and set up a tense finish when Oluwaseyi volleyed home from Ayoze Perez's cross, cutting the deficit to one goal.
The visitors pushed for another equaliser in the closing stages, but Liverpool held on to secure all three points and extend their winning run in the Champions League league phase. The victory gave Liverpool three wins from three matches in the competition, while Villarreal's difficult record against English opposition continued. The Spanish side have now gone 17 Champions League matches without a win against English clubs, recording six draws and 11 defeats.
Foden scores hat-trick
Phil Foden scored his first-ever UEFA Champions League hat-trick as Manchester City cruised to a 5-1 victory over AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium, extending their unbeaten home record against teams from outside Europe's top five leagues in the competition. Elliot Anderson and Rayan Cherki also found the net for City, who dominated large parts of the contest despite conceding a second-half goal to the Greek visitors, according to the website of UCL.
A big #UCL win! 🖐⭐️🩵 5-1 🟡 https://t.co/sCzA7uXmyn
— Manchester City (@ManCity) October 20, 2026
City made an aggressive start and took the lead in the 12th minute when Anderson reacted quickest to a rebound after Enzo Fernandez's free-kick struck the crossbar. The goal marked Anderson's first for the club and rewarded the hosts for their early pressure. The home side continued to dictate proceedings, with Allan also hitting the woodwork as AEK struggled to contain City's attacking movement. City doubled their advantage 10 minutes before half-time through Foden. The England international exchanged passes with Rico Lewis near the byline before poking the ball high into the roof of the net.
City had an opportunity to extend their lead further before the break, but AEK goalkeeper Alberto Brignoli produced an important save to deny Rayan Cherki from close range. AEK returned from the interval with greater intent and reduced the deficit when Stavros Pilios made an unmarked run into the penalty area to meet Zini's pass before finishing at the near post. However, City's attacking quality soon restored their two-goal cushion. Cherki collected the ball outside the penalty area and guided a left-footed effort into the corner to make it 3-1. The Frenchman then played a key role in City's fourth goal, delivering an incisive pass behind the AEK defence. Lewis set up Foden, who finished emphatically on the half-volley to complete his hat-trick.
Foden added his third goal of the night and City's fourth of the second half when he converted Ryan McAidoo's cross from close range with 15 minutes remaining, putting the result beyond doubt.
