BARCELONA: Champions League- With a 5-1 victory over Viktoria Plzen at home, Robert Lewandowski grabbed a hat-trick to help FC Barcelona enjoy a smooth start to their UEFA Champions League campaign.
Franck Kessie received a start after multiple lineup adjustments by coach Xavi Hernandez, and he rewarded him by scoring the game's first goal on Wednesday night, finishing expertly following Jules Kounde's cushioned header.
In the 34th minute, Lewandowski added to his stellar start at the Camp Nou when, after a run from Sergi Roberto, he took two touches before driving home.
When Jan Sykora scored from close range for the visitors against the flow of play, Barca's lead of two goals was restored. Lewandowski's second goal of the game came in first-half injury time.
Ferran Torres assisted Lewandowski in completing his hat trick with a shot from the edge of the box. Lewandowski later added a fifth goal on his own after receiving a lob from Ousmane Dembele.
Atletico Madrid defeated Porto 2-1 at home, scoring all three goals in stoppage time of the game in the Metropolitano Stadium.
Within three minutes, Mario Hermoso switched from being the hero to the villain, and Antoine Griezmann clinched the victory with what was essentially the final touch of the game.
Although Atletico was outplayed by Porto at times, they appeared to be winning when Hermoso's deflected shot went into the net in the 91st minute. However, two minutes later, the defender was given a handball penalty, which allowed Mateus Uribe to equalise from the spot after a VAR check.
While there were still five minutes remaining in the game, Griezmann scored the game-winning goal in the 110th minute while unmarked at the far post and headed in a goal that no one could have predicted coming from a corner.
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