Champions League Round-Up: Bayern Beat PSG, Liverpool Edge Madrid, Van de Ven Scores Wonder Goal

Bayern Munich and Liverpool delivered commanding victories in the UEFA Champions League's fourth round of league-stage matches on November 5, 2025, solidifying their positions as frontrunners, while Tottenham Hotspur's Micky van de Ven etched his name into highlight reels with a stunning 90-meter solo goal. Bayern extended its unbeaten streak to 16 games across all competitions with a gritty 2-1 triumph over defending champions Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes, showcasing both flair and fortitude. Liverpool edged Real Madrid 1-0 at Anfield, avenging last season's encounter and piling pressure on the Spanish giants. With these results, only Bayern and Arsenal—who thrashed Slavia Prague 3-0—boast maximum points from four games, intensifying the race in Europe's premier club competition.

In Paris, Bayern's Luis Diaz starred before his night soured, netting clinical goals in the fourth and 32nd minutes to give the visitors a commanding lead, only to receive a red card in first-half stoppage time for a reckless challenge on PSG's Achraf Hakimi following a VAR review. The dismissal left Bayern playing with 10 men, but they held firm despite PSG pulling one back through substitute Joao Neves and enduring anxious moments late on. PSG, already hampered by an injury to Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, struggled to capitalise, highlighting defensive vulnerabilities under pressure. Diaz's mixed fortunes encapsulated Bayern's blend of attacking prowess and resilience, reinforcing manager Vincent Kompany's vision of a dominant force in European soccer.

At Anfield, Alexis Mac Allister's 61st-minute header from a free kick sealed Liverpool's win, capping a performance where the Reds bombarded Thibaut Courtois with relentless chances. The Belgian goalkeeper's heroics kept the scoreline tight, silencing Madrid's threats, including a subdued Kylian Mbappe, but could not prevent a second consecutive league-phase defeat at the venue. Trent Alexander-Arnold, who swapped Liverpool for Madrid in the offseason, faced hostile jeers upon his substitute appearance and a defaced mural tribute nearby, underscoring the emotional rift from his boyhood club departure. Liverpool's tactical discipline under Arne Slot continued to pay dividends, building momentum ahead of domestic fixtures.

Also Read: PSG Posts Small Loss Despite Champions League Triumph, Nears Break-Even Mark

Arsenal's demolition of Slavia Prague featured Bukayo Saka's penalty and a Mikel Merino brace, capping a flawless run with an eighth consecutive clean sheet—a club record tying one from 1903 in English soccer's second tier. The Gunners introduced 15-year-old Max Dowman as a substitute, making him the youngest player ever in Champions League history at 15 years and 308 days, a testament to their youth development pipeline. Meanwhile, Tottenham routed FC Copenhagen 4-0, illuminated by Van de Ven's audacious dribble from deep in his own half, which manager Thomas Frank likened to "Lionel Messi transformed into a centre back." The goal, a mazy solo effort covering nearly the full length of the pitch, has sparked early talk of it being the competition's standout strike.

Other results painted a varied picture: Atletico Madrid bounced back from a prior thrashing with a 3-1 home win over Union Saint-Gilloise, courtesy of goals from Julian Alvarez, Conor Gallagher, and Marcos Llorente; Monaco claimed its first victory, 1-0 at Bodo/Glimt via Folarin Balogun's strike; Juventus drew 1-1 with Sporting Lisbon in new coach Luciano Spalletti's debut, recovering from an early deficit through Dusan Vlahovic; Napoli and Eintracht Frankfurt played out a goalless stalemate, ending Frankfurt's streak of lopsided scorelines; and PSV salvaged a 1-1 draw at Olympiakos with Ricardo Pepi's stoppage-time equaliser.

As the league stage progresses, these outcomes underscore the blend of star power, tactical battles, and unpredictable drama defining the revamped Champions League format. With top clubs navigating injuries, red cards, and hostile atmospheres, the path to the knockout rounds remains fiercely contested. Bayern's and Liverpool's statement wins signal their title credentials, while emerging talents like Dowman and moments like Van de Ven’s remind fans why the competition remains the pinnacle of club football.

Also Read: PSG Posts Small Loss Despite Champions League Triumph, Nears Break-Even Mark