Champions League

Aston Villa conceded a bizarre penalty in a 1-0 loss at Club Brugge on Wednesday which ended their perfect start to the Champions League group stage.

What had been a lethargic performance for Villa turned absurd in the 52nd minute when Tyrone Mings inexplicably picked up the ball, believing it was not in play.

Villa keeper Emi Martinez had just lined up a goal kick, sending a short pass to Mings, who then picked up the ball and gave it back to the Argentinian. The referee pointed to the penalty spot, and Hans Vanaken converted.

A Christian Pulisic assist vs Real Madrid opened the scoring of AC Milan’s surprising 3-1 victory at the Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Pulisic’s corner kicks have garnered attention this season after he scored an Olimpico goal against Club Brugge in Milan’s previous Champions League game.

BARCELONA — Barcelona captain Raphinha scored a hat-trick to lead them to a commanding 4-1 home victory over Bayern Munich in the Champions League on Wednesday, ending a near decade-long winless run against the German powerhouse.

After six consecutive losses in which they were outscored 22 goals to four by Bayern, including a humiliating 8-2 defeat in the Champions League quarter-finals four years ago, Barcelona got their revenge with a great attacking performance led by their Brazilian captain.

Barcelona vs Bayern highlights

MADRID — Real Madrid fought back from two goals down as Vinicius Jr grabbed a hat-trick in a thrilling 5-2 win over visitors Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday.

In a rematch of last-season's final, Dortmund lit up the game with a two-goal blitz around the half-hour mark from Donyell Malen and Jamie Gittens to silence the Bernabeu crowd.

However, the champions were livelier after the break and broke Dortmund's resistance with Antonio Rüdiger's header on the hour before Vinicius equalized with a close-range strike.

The Christian Pulisic Olimpico goal vs. Club Brugge saw the AC Milan star find the back of the net in the most peculiar of ways.

Milan were on the backfoot in the first half as a feisty Brugge side had several quality chances to take the lead. The Italian giants needed something special and who better to count on than their man in form, Pulisic.

In the 34th minute Pulisic swung in a corner kick that somehow avoided everyone and crossed the line. A Brugge defender tried to clear the ball but was too late.

Pulisic Olimpico goal vs. Brugge

BRUSSELS, Oct 14 (Reuters) - Players have never been closer to going on strike amid growing discontent towards soccer's governing bodies, notably FIFA and its revamped Club World Cup that is being compared to a 'Super League', the head of players' union FIFPRO Europe said on Monday.

David Terrier was speaking to Reuters after FIFPRO Europe, the European Leagues association and Spain's LaLiga accused FIFA of "abuse" as they filed a joint complaint about the global governing body's international match schedule to European Union antitrust regulators.

Borussia Dortmund took down two opponents on Tuesday during the Champions League as the players on the field destroyed Celtic 7-1 and the fans in the stands blasted UEFA with a strong message.

Prior to the game Dortmund fans made their voices heard with a massive tifo and banner denouncing the new Champions League format being used this season.

UEFA expanded the competition from 32 teams to 36 and got rid of the six-game group stage, replacing it with a league table. Each club will now play eight games in the initial phase.

The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup final will be held at the New Jersey home of the NFL's New York Giants and New York Jets, world soccer's governing body announced on Saturday along with the venue lineup for the revamped tournament.

The expanded 32-team tournament, which will feature leading clubs from around the world, will be held in 12 stadiums around the United States next year from June 15 through July 13.

BERGAMO — Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya secured his side a hard-earned point with a sensational penalty save in a 0-0 draw away to Atalanta in their Champions League opener on Thursday.

Spaniard Raya dived low to his right to beat out Mateo Retegui's spot kick in the 51st minute then sprang across his goal to claw away the forward's follow up header.

David Raya double save vs Atalanta