Today's Biggest Football Headlines | 17/09/2024

A fascinating opening night in the Champions League last nighr

There was also some drama in the third round of the Carabao Cup 

Author | Josh D

Let's explore some of the key talking points. 

Arsenal start Champions League campaign with a win

Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard came off the bench to deliver the goals as Arsenal opened their Champions League campaign with victory over Athletic Club.

Martinelli needed just 36 seconds to make his mark, racing through to score after being set up by Trossard midway through the second half. The Brazilian then turned provider, beating his man before laying the ball back for Trossard to tuck in a second with four minutes to play.

Mbappe penalties rescue Real Madrid

Kylian Mbappé scored twice from the penalty spot as 10-man Real Madrid fought back to beat Marseille in their opening Champions League fixture.

Madrid were dealt an early setback when Trent Alexander-Arnold hobbled off with a suspected hamstring injury inside three minutes. Matters worsened when his replacement, Dani Carvajal, was dismissed 18 minutes from time for a head-to-head confrontation with Marseille goalkeeper Gerónimo Rulli. Despite the numerical disadvantage, the 15-time European champions prevailed thanks to Mbappé, who dispatched both spot-kicks with power and precision to take his tally to six goals in five appearances this season.

Juventus and Dortmund play out a classic in Turin

Englishman Lloyd Kelly struck a dramatic equaliser in the sixth minute of added time to rescue a point for Juventus following an eight-goal spectacle at home to Dortmund.

The centre-back, who joined from Newcastle in the summer, had earlier conceded a penalty that allowed Dortmund to take a 4-2 lead. He made amends when he met Dusan Vlahovic’s 94th-minute finish with a headed goal two minutes later. The match provided a remarkable second-half display, with all eight goals coming after the 51st minute and Juventus recovering from conceding three times. It was only the second Champions League match to see eight goals scored in one half

Youthful Sheffield Wednesday knocked out of the Carabao Cup

A youthful Sheffield Wednesday side were knocked out of the Carabao Cup against Manchester United’s conquerors Grimsby Town.

Many home fans boycotted the game in protest against Dejphon Chansiri's ownership of the Championship club, meaning there were around twice as many Mariners fans inside Hillsborough as Owls supporters. Grimsby had the better of the first half and they eventually took the lead after the break when Jaze Kabia headed in Reece Staunton's corner.

Aston Villa exit cup and remain without a win

Villa’s difficulties at the start of the season worsened as Brentford goalkeeper Hakon Valdimarsson bounced back from an earlier mistake to emerge as the hero in the penalty shootout during the third round of the Carabao Cup.

Elliott’s strike failed to spark a goalscoring surge. The team did not register another shot on target until Cash’s back-post effort was saved by Valdimarsson in the 82nd minute, although Jadon Sancho struck the post on his first appearance for the club.