Champions League Recap: Arsenal, Newcastle and City All Win with Clean Sheets

Arsenal 4–0 Atlético Madrid

Arsenal celebrated their 100th UEFA Champions League victory in style with a commanding 4–0 triumph over Atlético Madrid at the Emirates Stadium. Mikel Arteta’s side, sitting top of the Premier League, extended their flawless European record with a dazzling second-half display.

Declan Rice nearly opened the scoring early on after Eberechi Eze’s effort struck the post, while Myles Lewis-Skelly also went close. Atlético threatened briefly when David Raya was caught off his line, but Giuliano Simeone couldn’t capitalise. Gabriel Martinelli had a goal ruled out for offside before Julián Álvarez struck the bar for the visitors.

Arsenal finally broke through when Rice’s pinpoint free-kick was headed home by Gabriel. The Gunners doubled their lead minutes later, Lewis-Skelly’s superb run setting up Martinelli for a thunderous finish past Jan Oblak. Viktor Gyökeres added a third via a deflected strike off Dávid Hancko before sealing his brace with a knee finish after Gabriel headed Rice’s corner back across goal.

Arsenal’s emphatic win extended their unbeaten run against Spanish opposition to seven matches and secured a fourth consecutive clean sheet victory. Atlético’s six-game unbeaten streak ended in humbling fashion, as Diego Simeone’s men continue to struggle away from home this season.

Newcastle United 3–0 Benfica

Newcastle United ended their run of three straight Champions League home defeats with an impressive 3–0 win over Benfica at St James’ Park. Backed by a raucous home crowd, the Magpies produced a clinical performance to move seventh in the league phase standings.

Dan Burn saw an early header denied by Anatoliy Trubin, while Dodi Lukébakio tested Nick Pope and later hit the woodwork as Benfica threatened. However, it was Newcastle who struck first on 31 minutes — Jacob Murphy’s low cross found Anthony Gordon, who converted for his fourth UCL goal of the season.

Eddie Howe’s side dominated after the break, though Lewis Miley somehow missed a golden chance from close range. The pressure paid off when substitute Harvey Barnes latched onto Pope’s long ball and scored via the post. Barnes then completed his brace, finishing clinically from Gordon’s assist to seal a deserved victory.

Newcastle’s dynamic display marked a return to European form, while Benfica’s miserable campaign under José Mourinho continued, leaving them still searching for their first point.

Villarreal 0–2 Manchester City

Manchester City returned to winning ways in Europe with a comfortable 2–0 victory over Villarreal, ending a five-match winless away run in the Champions League and becoming the first team to triumph at the Estadio de la Cerámica since March.

The holders started brightly as Luiz Júnior denied Jérémy Doku inside 30 seconds. Erling Haaland soon found the breakthrough, sweeping home from Rico Lewis’s cut-back for his 12th consecutive scoring game. Villarreal rarely threatened, with Pape Gueye’s long-range effort their only first-half chance.

City doubled their lead five minutes before the break as Savinho’s precise cross was headed in by Bernardo Silva. The visitors controlled proceedings after half-time, with Savinho again forcing a save from Luiz Júnior. Villarreal rallied late on through Gueye and Nicolas Pépé, both denied by Gianluigi Donnarumma and the post respectively.

Despite Haaland being thwarted twice late on, City coasted to victory, claiming their fifth win from 15 Champions League away matches against Spanish sides. The defeat leaves Villarreal winless after three group games, while Pep Guardiola’s men reaffirmed their European dominance.