Check out 7 big games from the Champions 2021/22 group stage

Although it doesn’t contain eliminatory clashes, the first round of the Champions League 2021/22 featured exciting games. Check out seven great matches of this first phase of the Champions.

1. Real Madrid 1 x 2 Sheriff

This Champions has scored one of the biggest ‘zebras’ in the competition. Playing at the Santiago Bernabéu, Real Madrid lost to rookie Sheriff. The Moldovan team opened the scoring in the first half, with a goal by Yakhshiboev. Benzema tied in the final stage, in the 20th minute. However, Thill, at 44, shook the net and decreed the victory of the visitors.

2. Manchester United 2 x 1 Villarreal

In the second round, Manchester United managed a comeback in the final moments of the match against Villarreal, at Old Trafford. The visitors took the lead, with a goal by Paco Alcácer, eight minutes into the second half. The tie came seven minutes later, with the Brazilian Alex Telles. When the game moves towards a draw, Cristiano Ronaldo’s star shone and the Portuguese scored the winning goal in the 50th minute.

3. Ajax 4 x 0 Borussia Dortmund

Ajax had a great group stage and took some casualties on their way. One of them was Borussia Dortmund, who lost 4-0 in the Netherlands in the second round. The rout featured a goal by Antony, ex-São Paulo. The other goals were scored by Reus (against), Blind and Haller. The defeat helped to eliminate the Germans in the first phase of the Champions League.

4. Manchester United 3 x 2 Atalanta

After the victory against Villarreal, it was Atalanta’s turn to suffer with Cristiano Ronaldo. In England, for the third round, the Italians triumphed in the first 45 minutes of the game, with goals from Pasalic and Demiral. However, the owners of the house reacted in the second half. Rashford slowed and Maguire tied. At 36, the Red Devils shirt 7 scored and guaranteed three more points for the English.

5. Bayern Munich 3 x 0 Barcelona

Even with a guaranteed spot, Bayern Munich sent the best team they had available to the field and beat Barcelona 3-0, at Allianz Arena, in the last round. As Benfica beat Dynamo Kiev, the defeat for the Germans led to the elimination of Barça in the first phase of the Champions League.

6. Porto 1 x 3 Atlético de Madrid

Porto and Atlético de Madrid faced each other in Portugal for the last round. As Milan lost to Liverpool, the winner of this match would be classified in the round of 16. The first half was weak, however, there was still emotion in the final stage. Griezmann opened the scoring after 11 minutes into the second half. Around 25 minutes, Carrasco and Wendell were expelled. In the final minutes, Ángel Correa and de Paul expanded for Atlético. Sérgio Oliveira scored for the dragons at 51.

7. Atalanta 2 x 3 Villarreal

In another game that marked dispute by classification, Villarreal and Atalante had a great game with five goals scored. A draw would be enough for the visitors, however, the Spaniards went up and opened 3-0, with two goals from Groeneveld and one from Capoue. The principals tried to react and took it out on Malinovsky and Zapata. The pressure in the final moments was not enough and the Italians were eliminated.