The first-leg play-offs of the 2025/26 Champions League delivered a week of staggering drama across Europe. While Newcastle and Galatasaray made massive statements, the headlines remain dominated by a toxic evening in Lisbon where football once again took a backseat to discrimination.

The Tuesday Fixtures: Clinical Giants and Controversy

• Benfica 0–1 Real Madrid: Alvaro Arbeloa’s side took a narrow lead through a stunning Vinícius Júnior strike in the 50th minute. However, the game was halted for 11 minutes after Vinícius reported a racial slur from Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni, who allegedly called him a "monkey." Referee Francois Letexier activated the anti-racism protocol amid a hostile atmosphere that saw objects thrown at the Brazilian. To add to the chaos, Benfica manager Jose Mourinho was sent off late in the game.

• Galatasaray 5–2 Juventus: In a shocking result in Istanbul, Noa Lang bagged a brace as Galatasaray dismantled a fragile Juventus defense. The Italians have a massive hill to climb in the second leg.

• Monaco 2–3 Paris Saint-Germain: A five-goal thriller saw PSG recover from a 2–0 deficit. Folarin Balogun put Monaco ahead early, but a Désiré Doué masterclass fueled the Parisian comeback.

• Borussia Dortmund 2–0 Atalanta: Goals from Serhou Guirassy and Maximilian Beier ensured a comfortable night for BVB, leaving Atalanta with work to do in Bergamo.

The Wednesday Fixtures: Norwegian Shocks and Newcastle’s Riot

• Qarabag 1–6 Newcastle United: Anthony Gordon produced the performance of the round, netting an incredible four goals in Azerbaijan to all but secure Newcastle’s place in the Round of 16.

• Bodo/Glimt 3–1 Inter Milan: In the freezing Arctic Circle, Bodo/Glimt pulled off the upset of the week. Goals from Fet, Hauge, and Hogh stunned the Serie A leaders, who struggled in the sub-zero conditions.

• Club Brugge 3–3 Atletico Madrid: A chaotic back-and-forth ended level after Christos Tzolis scored a dramatic 89th-minute equalizer for the Belgians, keeping the tie on a knife-edge.

• Olympiacos 0–2 Bayer Leverkusen: Under new manager Kasper Hjulmand, Leverkusen showed their class in Greece. Patrik Schick scored twice to give the German side a significant advantage heading home.