Bayern, Liverpool and Mbappé shine as new UCL 'league phase' kicks off

European football's most coveted competition debuted its new format on Tuesday, foregoing its classic 'group stage' games for a giant league compromised of all 36 teams. Bayern Munich scored a record-breaking nine goals against Dinamo Zagreb and Real Madrid's Kylian Mbappé registered his first for the reigning champions, while both Liverpool and newcomers Aston Villa recorded wins.

Bayern Munich became the first team to score nine goals in a game in the modern Champions League as the new format of Europe's elite club competition kicked off on Tuesday, with title holders Real Madrid and Liverpool also among the winners.

Harry Kane scored four goals, including three penalties, as Vincent Kompany's Bayern hammered Croatian champions Dinamo Zagreb 9-2 at the Allianz Arena.

Michael Olise scored twice on his Champions League debut, while Raphael Guerreiro, Leroy Sane and Leon Goretzka were also on target for the home team in Germany.

Dinamo were 3-0 down at the break but scored twice in two minutes just after half-time to give the hosts a scare, with Bruno Petkovic and Takuya Ogiwara on target. But Bayern then scored six times from the 57th minute onwards.

"An amazing game, a bit of a crazy game," Kane told broadcaster DAZN.

"It's the first time I've scored three (penalties) in a game. That doesn't happen at all really."

(AFP)

Read more on FRANCE 24 English

Read also:
PSG open post-Mbappé era with win at Le Havre as French league kicks off
Late Oyarzabal goal gives Spain its record fourth Euro title
Real Madrid defeat Dortmund to win 15th Champions League