Leverkusen Conquer Manchester, Chelsea Humiliate Barça — Champions League Highlights of November 25
Matchday 5 of the 2025/26 Champions League league stage delivered drama, surprises, standout performances and crucial results in the race for the playoffs. Here is the full roundup of Tuesday’s action.
Manchester City 0–2 Bayer Leverkusen
Goals: Grimaldo, Schick
Player of the Match: Mark Flekken (Bayer)
Bayer produced one of their finest European performances, confidently defeating the reigning Champions League winners. Kasper Hjulmand’s side showed bravery, structure and maturity, while the revamped City never truly found their rhythm.
UEFA highlighted goalkeeper Mark Flekken, who made seven key saves. Grimaldo and Schick each scored, sealing Leverkusen’s 50th victory in European Cup/Champions League history.
Chelsea 3–0 Barcelona
Goals: Koundé (OG), Estevão, Delap
Player of the Match: Marc Cucurella (Chelsea)
Red Card: Araújo (44’, Barcelona)
Chelsea delivered one of their most dominant performances of the season, overwhelming Barcelona with relentless intensity. Araújo’s dismissal before halftime effectively ended the contest.
Marc Cucurella shone with tireless work, smart defensive positioning and involvement in the opening goal. Barcelona failed to score for the first time in 54 matches.
Marseille 2–1 Newcastle
Goals: Aubameyang (2) — Barnes
Player of the Match: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (Marseille)
A transformed Marseille emerged after halftime, driven by an inspired Aubameyang. Despite missed chances early on, the veteran striker struck twice to turn the match around. Newcastle pushed, but De Zerbi’s side held firm.
Slavia Prague 0–0 Athletic Bilbao
Player of the Match: Aitor Paredes (Athletic)
A physically intense clash ended goalless, with both sides showing strong defensive discipline. Paredes stood out by neutralizing the powerful Chory and leading Bilbao’s back line.
Napoli 2–0 Qarabag
Goals: McTominay, Jankovic (OG)
Player of the Match: Scott McTominay (Napoli)
Napoli secured three points but faced persistent pressure from a brave Qarabag side. McTominay opened the scoring and initiated the attack that led to the second goal.
Borussia Dortmund 4–0 Villarreal
Goals: Guirassy (2), Adeyemi, Svensson
Red Card: Foyth (50’, Villarreal)
Player of the Match: Serhou Guirassy
Dortmund delivered a commanding display. Guirassy struck at the end of the first half and early in the second to put the game out of reach. After Foyth’s dismissal, the hosts added two more.
Bodø/Glimt 2–3 Juventus
Goals: Blomberg, Brunstad Fet — Openda, McKennie, David
Player of the Match: Kenan Yıldız (Juventus)
Juventus earned a crucial win—their first of this Champions League campaign—after three draws and one loss. Yıldız changed the match immediately after coming on, providing energy, drive and a decisive assist.
Galatasaray 0–1 Union Saint-Gilloise
Goal: David
Player of the Match: Adem Zorgane (Union)
Red Card: Yunay (89’, Galatasaray)
Union delivered a disciplined, intelligent performance in Istanbul. Zorgane was outstanding both defensively and creatively, while Promise David scored the winning goal.
Ajax 0–2 Benfica
Goals: Dahl, Barreiro
Player of the Match: Samuel Dahl (Benfica)
Benfica earned their first win of the campaign, resisting Ajax’s pressure throughout. Dahl shone as both scorer and defensive anchor.
