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Mbappé Brace Lifts Madrid Past Marseille in Champions League/ TezzBuzz/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Kylian Mbappé netted two penalties to give Real Madrid a comeback 2-1 victory over Marseille, marking the club’s 200th Champions League win. Arsenal’s substitutes Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard secured a 2-0 win at Athletic Bilbao. Elsewhere, Tottenham, Juventus, Qarabag, and debutant Union Saint-Gilloise all featured in dramatic matches.

Champions League Opening Night Quick Looks

• Mbappé scored twice as Madrid beat Marseille 2-1.
• Real Madrid became first club with 200 Champions League wins.
• Dani Carvajal sent off for headbutt in 72nd minute.
• Trent Alexander-Arnold injured five minutes into debut.
• Arsenal’s Martinelli and Trossard decisive in Bilbao win.
• Tottenham beat Villarreal 1-0 via goalkeeper’s own goal.
• Juventus and Dortmund shared 4-4 thriller in Turin.
• Qarabag rallied from two down to shock Benfica 3-2.
• Union Saint-Gilloise won 3-1 at PSV in debut appearance.

Deep Look

Mbappé Stars in Madrid’s Historic Night

MADRID — Kylian Mbappé’s scoring touch again proved decisive as he converted two penalties to lift Real Madrid to a 2-1 win over Marseille on Tuesday, sealing the Spanish giants’ 200th victory in Champions League history.

The French forward first leveled the match in the 29th minute after Rodrygo was fouled in the box. His second came from the spot in the 81st minute following a Marseille handball, clinching the three points despite Madrid being down to 10 men.

With the brace, Mbappé now boasts 50 goals in 64 appearances for Madrid since joining. “Our job is to make sure he gets the ball,” said teammate Federico Valverde. “If he keeps getting chances, he’ll keep scoring.”

The victory also marked a winning start in the competition for coach Xabi Alonso, a former Madrid star making his Champions League managerial debut.

Controversy and Drama

Madrid captain Dani Carvajal was sent off in the 72nd minute for headbutting Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli, leaving the hosts shorthanded. Earlier, Timothy Weah — son of George Weah — had stunned the Bernabéu by scoring for Marseille after dispossessing Arda Güler.

Trent Alexander-Arnold’s debut for Madrid lasted just five minutes before an apparent muscle injury forced him off, replaced by Carvajal. Spanish police also clashed with Marseille supporters outside the stadium before kickoff, though order was restored quickly.

Arsenal’s Super Subs Deliver in Bilbao

In Spain, Arsenal launched their campaign with a 2-0 win over Athletic Bilbao thanks to impact substitutes.

Gabriel Martinelli scored less than a minute after coming onfinishing off a Leandro Trossard assist. Trossard himself doubled the lead 15 minutes later, this time set up by Martinelli.

Star signing Viktor Gyökeres, prolific for Sporting Lisbon last season, endured a frustrating night in his Champions League debut for the Gunners. He squandered a gilt-edged chance early in the second half, heading wide from a perfect Declan Rice delivery.

Tottenham, Juventus, Qarabag, and Union St.-Gilloise Feature in Thrillers

• Tottenham 1, Villarreal 0: Spurs won courtesy of a bizarre own goal from goalkeeper Luiz Junior.
• Juventus 4, Dortmund 4: One of the night’s most chaotic matches saw Juve score twice in stoppage time. Dusan Vlahovic netted once and then assisted Lloyd Kelly’s equalizer.
• Benf 2, Arabic 3: Qarabag stunned the Portuguese giants, coming from two down with three unanswered goals to seal a famous away win.
• PSV Eindhoven 1, Union Saint-Gilloise 3: Belgian champions Union marked their first-ever appearance in the competition with a remarkable victory. Promise David scored the first goal of the Champions League season from the penalty spot, while Anouar Aït El Hadj dazzled with a solo strike. Defender Kevin Mac Allister, humorously named after the Home Alone character, added a third before PSV’s Ruben van Bommel pulled one back late.

New Format, New Stakes

This year is the second season under the revamped “league phase” format. The top eight clubs will advance directly to the round of 16, while the next 16 finishers will compete in two-leg playoffs for the remaining spots.

With early shocks already shaking established sides like Benfica and PSV, the opening night highlighted the unpredictability of the new format and underscored how even seasoned contenders must tread carefully.

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