Wed Jan 22 00:40:00 IST 2025: ## Champions League Delivers Thrills, Upsets, and Record-Breaking Goals in Game Week Seven

**London, January 22, 2025** – The Champions League returned with a bang in Game Week Seven, delivering a night of unprecedented drama and excitement across Europe. From record-breaking comebacks to controversial late winners, the matches showcased the unpredictable nature of the competition’s new Swiss Model format.

The standout match was undoubtedly Barcelona’s incredible 5-4 victory over Benfica in Lisbon. Vangelis Pavlidis scored a hat-trick in the first 30 minutes, including a tap-in after a spectacular goalkeeper blunder by Wojciech Szczęsny. Robert Lewandowski scored two penalties for Barcelona, while Raphinha added another crucial goal, including a dramatic late winner. Benfica twice restored their two-goal lead, only to see Barcelona fight back each time, culminating in a nail-biting finish. OptaJose hailed Barcelona’s win as a historic feat, being only the second team to win a Champions League match after conceding four or more goals and the first time ever they won after losing by two goals.

Elsewhere, Atlético Madrid overcame a red card and a first-half deficit to beat Bayer Leverkusen 2-1. Julián Álvarez scored a brace, showcasing his exceptional talent, securing a crucial win for the Spanish side. Leverkusen, despite their impressive winning streak, struggled to cope with the pressure and Atlético’s tactical expertise.

Liverpool continued their perfect start to the Champions League, defeating Lille 2-1 to secure their place in the Round of 16. Mohamed Salah scored his 50th European goal for the Reds, further cementing his legendary status.

Bologna celebrated their first-ever Champions League victory, shocking Borussia Dortmund 2-1. Dortmund, despite an early lead, struggled to maintain their form and suffered their latest defeat in a string of poor results.

While many matches were high-scoring affairs, the new Champions League format provided tension throughout the night. The closeness of the standings – just three points separating third-placed Atlético Madrid and 15th-placed Milan – highlights the competitiveness and the importance of every remaining match. Teams like Stuttgart and PSV also kept their playoff hopes alive, setting the stage for a chaotic final matchday with all 36 teams playing simultaneously next Wednesday. While criticism of the new format persists, the thrilling results suggest it has delivered on its promise of suspense, even if it is to the benefit of UEFA’s revenue streams.

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