Haaland Header at Dragao Leads City as Villa Edge 3-2 Thriller
Updated Champions League scores from opening night show Manchester City establishing control away from home after Erling Haaland headed the English side into an early lead against FC Porto at Estadio Do Dragao. The Norwegian forward found space inside the penalty box, the targeted area between the opposition defenders and the goal line, to convert City’s primary opening chance of the evening.
The fixture at Estadio Do Dragao formed part of a six-match opening slate on Tuesday night, September 8, 2026, launching the new European campaign across the continent. With matches spread across three consecutive days for the opening round of fixtures, heavyweights and challengers alike aimed to secure early points in the table standings.
Aston Villa
clubHaaland Header Gives Manchester City Advantage at Estadio Do Dragao
Erling Haaland’s converting header silenced the home crowd at Estadio Do Dragao, supplying Manchester City with an early advantage on Portuguese soil. City managed the opening exchanges by dictating tempo through sustained possession, eventually finding Haaland unmarked to finish from close range and put Pep Guardiola’s side ahead against FC Porto.
Real Madrid Lead Inter Milan as Aston Villa Secure Belgian Victory
Real Madrid established a 2-1 lead over Inter Milan powered by goals from Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde. The Spanish champions lined up with Trent Alexander-Arnold deployed in midfield, an inverted central role designed to initiate progression from deeper zones, as Madrid controlled key stretches against their Italian opponents. In the early kickoff slot in Belgium, Aston Villa earned a 3-2 away victory against Club Brugge, securing three points on the road to kick off their European campaign.
Erling Haaland
player- FC Porto vs Manchester City: Haaland header puts City ahead at Estadio Do Dragao.
- Real Madrid 2-1 Inter Milan: Mbappe and Valverde goals give Madrid the edge.
- Club Brugge 2-3 Aston Villa: Villa claim three points away in Belgium.
According to match coverage from BBC Sport, six matches highlighted the opening Tuesday schedule of the competition.
Aston Villa’s 3-2 result against Club Brugge delivers three points to start their European journey, while Manchester City and Real Madrid head into the remainder of Matchday 1 with active scoreline advantages intact.