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Liverpool overturns 2-goal deficit to beat Villarreal 4-3 as Foden nets hat trick for Man City

Liverpool's English midfielder #53 James McConnell (R) outruns a challenge from Villarreal's Spanish striker #22 Ayoze Perez Gutierrez during the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Villareal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)
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Liverpool's English midfielder #53 James McConnell (R) outruns a challenge from Villarreal's Spanish striker #22 Ayoze Perez Gutierrez during the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Villareal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)
October 21, 2026 09:54 AM GMT+03:00

Liverpool pulled off a dramatic comeback to defeat Villarreal 4-3 at Anfield on Tuesday, while Phil Foden scored his first UEFA Champions League hat trick as Manchester City cruised past AEK Athens 5-1 in the third round of matches.

Villarreal stunned the home crowd just four minutes into the game when Georges Mikautadze took advantage of a misplaced header from Virgil van Dijk and beat goalkeeper Alisson Becker.

The Spanish side doubled its lead in the 29th minute after Nicolas Saliba played Sergi Cardona through Liverpool's defense, allowing him to finish into the bottom corner.

However, Liverpool began turning the match around seven minutes later when Alexis Mac Allister headed in Kostas Tsimikas' cross following a corner. The hosts then drew level in first-half stoppage time as Ronald Araujo met Rio Ngumoha's delivery at the far post.

Players line up ahead of the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Villareal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Players line up ahead of the UEFA Champions League football match between Liverpool and Villareal at Anfield in Liverpool, north west England on October 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Mac Allister leads Liverpool's second-half turnaround

Liverpool completed its comeback in the 65th minute when Ngumoha got past Cardona on the right and pulled the ball back for Mac Allister, whose first-time effort struck the crossbar before going in.

Florian Wirtz extended the lead just three minutes later, finishing Cody Gakpo's pass with a low shot through Renato Veiga's legs to put Liverpool 4-2 ahead.

Villarreal mounted a late response when Tani Oluwaseyi converted Ayoze Perez's cross in the 87th minute, but Liverpool held on to secure all three points.

Manchester City's English midfielder #47 Phil Foden celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League football match between Manchester City and AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)
Manchester City's English midfielder #47 Phil Foden celebrates scoring the team's fourth goal during the UEFA Champions League football match between Manchester City and AEK Athens at the Etihad Stadium in Manchester, north west England, on October 20, 2026. (AFP Photo)

Foden completes first Champions League hat trick in City's convincing win

Meanwhile, Manchester City secured a 5-1 home victory over AEK Athens, with Foden scoring three times to complete his first Champions League hat trick.

Elliot Anderson opened the scoring in the 12th minute, tapping in the rebound after Enzo Fernandez's free kick struck the crossbar. Foden doubled City's advantage in the 34th minute after combining with Rico Lewis during an attacking move started by Rayan Cherki.

AEK briefly fought back seven minutes into the second half when Stavros Pilios finished Zine's through ball, but Cherki restored City's two-goal cushion five minutes later with a shot from the edge of the penalty area.

Foden then added his second goal in the 65th minute, firing Lewis' pass into the top corner, before completing his hat trick in the 76th minute by turning in Ryan McAidoo's low cross from close range.

PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 20: Players of PSG celebrate the victory after UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-German and Barcelona at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on October 20, 2026. (AA Photo)
PARIS, FRANCE - OCTOBER 20: Players of PSG celebrate the victory after UEFA Champions League match between Paris Saint-German and Barcelona at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on October 20, 2026. (AA Photo)

PSG defeats Barcelona as Fenerbahce draws with Slavia Prague

Elsewhere in Tuesday's Champions League action, Paris Saint-Germain defeated Barcelona 4-2, while Roma secured a 4-0 victory over Slovan Bratislava.

Napoli edged Bodo/Glimt 4-3 in another seven-goal contest, while Borussia Dortmund beat Sabah FK 2-1 and PSV Eindhoven claimed a 1-0 away victory against Porto.

Türkiye's Fenerbahce played out a 2-2 draw with Slavia Prague, while Stuttgart and Atletico Madrid shared the points following a 1-1 result.

October 21, 2026 09:54 AM GMT+03:00
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