Champions League 2024-25 Matchday 4 Round-Up: Inter Edge Arsenal, Barcelona Shine, Atlético Stun PSG in Dramatic Showdown

The UEFA Champions League Matchday 4 was a thrilling spectacle, with Inter Milan narrowly beating Arsenal, Barcelona showcasing their attacking prowess, and Atlético Madrid delivering a late blow to Paris Saint-Germain. From decisive penalties to last-gasp strikes, this round had everything. Here’s a complete breakdown of all the major matches.

Champions League Matchday 4 Round-up

Inter’s Penalty Perfection Secures Win Over Arsenal

In a tightly contested showdown, Inter Milan emerged victorious over Arsenal with a narrow 1-0 win, thanks to a first-half penalty converted by Hakan Çalhanoğlu. This win pushed Inter to ten points in the league phase, enhancing their chances of securing an early qualification for the next round.

The Italians started strong, almost taking an early lead when Denzel Dumfries struck the crossbar. Arsenal controlled much of the first half’s possession but failed to break Inter’s disciplined defense. Just before halftime, Çalhanoğlu stepped up and calmly slotted home from the penalty spot, putting the Nerazzurri ahead. Arsenal pushed for an equalizer, but a solid defensive display from Inter, including a crucial goal-line clearance by Dumfries and a vital block from Yann Bisseck, preserved their slender lead until the final whistle.

Player of the Match: Hakan Çalhanoğlu (Inter)

Barcelona’s Attacking Frenzy Overwhelms Crvena Zvezda

Barcelona put on a show, dismantling Crvena Zvezda with a commanding 5-2 victory in Belgrade. Robert Lewandowski led the charge with a double, while Iñigo Martínez’s header opened the scoring early on.

Crvena Zvezda briefly threatened, equalizing through Silas, but Barcelona’s offensive firepower proved too much to handle. Lewandowski’s instinctive play, converting Raphinha’s rebounded shot and later capitalizing on a cross from Jules Koundé, swung the game in Barça’s favor. Raphinha and Fermín López further widened the gap, converting from Koundé’s assists, with the home side only managing a consolation goal through Felício Milson late in the game.

Player of the Match: Iñigo Martínez (Barcelona)

Atlético Stun PSG with Last-Second Goal in Paris

In one of the evening’s most gripping fixtures, Atlético Madrid secured a dramatic 2-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain. After PSG took an early lead through Warren Zaïre-Emery’s delightful dink, Atlético responded quickly, with Nahuel Molina smashing in a half-volley.

Both teams had ample chances, and Paris nearly regained the advantage in the second half, but Atlético’s Jan Oblak denied Bradley Barcola and Achraf Hakimi. Just as it seemed the game was heading for a draw, substitute Ángel Correa struck in the dying seconds, curling the ball past Gianluigi Donnarumma to seal three points for Atlético in unforgettable fashion.

Player of the Match: Nahuel Molina (Atlético Madrid)

Club Brugge Halts Aston Villa’s Unbeaten Run

Hans Vanaken’s composed penalty secured all three points for Club Brugge and ended Aston Villa’s perfect campaign start. The Blauw-Zwart skipper sent Emiliano Martínez in the opposite direction with his 52nd-minute spot kick, following a handball by Tyrone Mings in the box.

Earlier, Brugge came closest to breaking the deadlock in the first half when Ferran Jutglà’s fierce shot struck the post. Midway through the opening period, Ollie Watkins had the best opportunity for the Villans, but his effort drifted just wide.

Player of the Match: Hans Vanaken (Club Brugge)

Shakhtar Overcome Young Boys in Gelsenkirchen Thriller

Georgiy Sudakov led Shakhtar to their first league phase win in Gelsenkirchen. Despite an early stellar save from Young Boys’ keeper Marvin Keller that kept out Eguinaldo, the visitors took the lead with Kastriot Imeri’s debut Champions League goal.

Shakhtar soon took control, however, leveling the score as Oleksandr Zubkov tapped in a cross from Sudakov. The midfielder’s deft run and powerful 41st-minute strike from the box’s edge secured the victory, leaving Young Boys still searching for their first points in the campaign.

Player of the Match: Georgiy Sudakov (Shakhtar Donetsk)

Bayern Overcome Benfica with Musiala’s Heroics

Jamal Musiala’s superb header broke Benfica’s resistance, helping Bayern bounce back to victory after two consecutive losses. Goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin made several impressive saves, frustrating Bayern’s dominant first-half efforts and keeping England captain Harry Kane at bay.

Leroy Sané’s second-half introduction energized the hosts, and when his cross found Kane, the striker directed it back across the goal for Musiala to finish with a powerful header.

Player of the Match: Jamal Musiala (Bayern München)

Brest Remain Unbeaten with Victory Over Sparta Praha

Brest continued their unbeaten run in their first Champions League campaign, securing all three points in the Czech capital thanks to a first-half goal from Edimilson Fernandes and a Kaan Kairinen own goal.

Fernandes, though slipping as Kamory Doumbia’s corner reached him, still managed to fire the ball past Peter Vindahl. Brest extended their lead when Ludovic Ajorque intercepted a clearance from Vindahl, setting up a cutback that Kairinen inadvertently bundled over the line. Victor Olatunji scored a late consolation for the hosts.

Player of the Match: Edimilson Fernandes (Brest)

Salzburg Secure First Win with Konaté’s Double

Karim Konaté’s brace propelled Salzburg to their first win in this season’s competition. He opened the scoring with a header just before half-time and added a second with a well-placed volley.

Despite Feyenoord going down to ten men after Chris-Kévin Nadje’s red card, they quickly pulled one back through Anis Hadj Moussa. However, Salzburg soon earned a penalty, which Konaté missed, but Daouda Guindo secured the victory with a late strike four minutes from the end.

Player of the Match: Karim Konaté (Salzburg)

Atalanta Edge Stuttgart to Maintain Unbeaten Streak

Ademola Lookman and Nicolò Zaniolo found the net as Atalanta climbed to eight points with this victory. Following a cautious first half with limited opportunities, Lookman converted a cross from halftime substitute Charles De Ketelaere to open the scoring in the 51st minute.

Ermedin Demirović saw his close-range shot blocked as Stuttgart pressed for a quick equalizer, but Gian Piero Gasperini’s disciplined squad maintained their defensive record, remaining unscored upon in the league phase. Zaniolo then broke free to secure their second win just two minutes from the final whistle.

Player of the Match: Isak Hien (Atalanta)

The Champions League Matchday 4 delivered intense battles, stunning strikes, and last-minute heroics. Inter, Barcelona, and Atlético Madrid emerged as big winners, each team making a strong statement as they edge closer to the knockout stages.

Liverpool leads the Champions League standings with a flawless 12 points after four matches, showcasing their strength and consistency. Close behind, Sporting CP, Monaco, and Brest are also in strong form, each with 10 points, making them likely contenders for direct entry to the Round of 16. These top teams have established early dominance and set themselves up as favorites for the knockout rounds.

Mid-table, teams like Inter, Barcelona, Borussia Dortmund, and Aston Villa are still in contention, securing between 7 and 9 points. They’re currently within the top eight but must remain vigilant as the competition remains fierce, with little room for error if they aim to avoid the knockout phase play-offs. Atalanta, Manchester City, Juventus, and Arsenal are next, holding critical positions in the play-off zone, where just a single win or loss could drastically alter their paths.

At the lower end, notable teams such as PSG, Atletico Madrid, and PSV have struggled, collecting only 4 to 5 points, and are at serious risk of elimination if their results don’t improve. Meanwhile, Young Boys, Crvena Zvezda, and Slovan Bratislava sit at the bottom with no points, virtually out of contention. The standings make it clear that while some clubs are on the cusp of advancing comfortably, others face intense pressure to deliver in the remaining matches.

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