Kai Havertz won the Champions League duel between two German national players with Arsenal FC. The Gunners convincingly lived up to their role as favorites against PSV Eindhoven with defender Armel Bella-Kotchap at the start on Wednesday with a 4-0 (3-0) win. Roger Schmidt and Benfica Lisbon, on the other hand, cost dearly for defender Antonio Silva’s early dropout in the 0-2 (0-1) loss against RB Salzburg.
Arsenal set the course for victory early on. Bukayo Saka (8th), Leandro Trossard (20th) and Gabriel Jesus (38th) scored for Spaniard Mikel Arteta’s team, which remained confident in the second half against the now improved guests and added further through Martin Odegaard (70th). In the parallel game in Group B, Sevilla FC and RC Lens drew 1-1 (1-1).
Things were high in Lisbon right from the start. Coach Schmidt recorded two penalties at the start against his quarter-finalists from last year. Karim Konate missed the first (3′), the second was converted by Roko Simic (15′) for the guests from Salzburg, who were now in the majority – Benfica defender Silva had cleared with his hand on the line. In the second round, Oscar Gloukh (51st) increased for RB.
Inter Milan, finalists last season, left a long, ponderous impression. Simone Inzaghi’s team avoided a late defeat at Real Sociedad from San Sebastian, who are back in the competition for the first time since 2013/14. Lautaro Martinez scored in the 87th minute to make the final score 1-1 (0-1).
In Bayern Munich’s Group A, Galatasaray Istanbul and FC Copenhagen also scored one point each with a 2-2 (0-2), while Union Berlin’s upcoming opponents Sporting Braga and the Italian champions SSC Napoli drew 1-2 (0-1).