Hey, UEFA Champions League… didn’t y’all get the memo that we weren’t supposed to be consistently entertained until at least the knockout stage? After a crazy Tuesday, things didn’t let up much on Wednesday either. If you had bet on any of these games on one of the most popular sports betting apps, you could win some good money!
Despite that, many bettors have not expected some of the results – that occurred despite the promising odds. The popular sports betting apps were amongst the most downloaded apps at that time and we only can guess how many of the bets were successful in that surprising matchday.
What happened in the latter of the two days of matchday 2? Let’s take a look at what you need to know:
Biggest Win: Manchester United 2-1 Wolfsburg
There’s no doubt that EPL sides have struggled like crazy in this edition of the UEFA Champions League, but the Red Devils did the work needed to get full points against a very game Wolfsburg side in Group B action.
After conceding the opening goal, the pit in the stomach of all Man Utd fans had to be as big as ever. Neutrals couldn’t believe the misfortune of one of the iconic names in world soccer. However, Manchester United settled down and it showed up in a big way thanks to one man, Juan Mata.
He was simply on fire during this match, taking a 34th minute penalty and slotting it home with ease. He then created the assist on the game-winning goal by flicking a mid-air back heel to an open Chris Smalling.
Biggest Loss: Borrusia Monchengladbach 1-2 Manchester City
Talk about snatching a defeat from the jaws of victory? These were two teams heading in opposite direction based on recent form, with Monchengladbach finding a win streak and Man City losing its last two games in major competitions. Simply put, this was a must have for both sides.
Monchengladbach wasn’t afraid of going toe-to-toe with the English giants, and after a scoreless first half the German side went up 1-0 in the 54th minute. Holding on to a narrow lead was never going to be fun, but Manchester City wasted little time in answering back, striking the equalizer in the 65th minute from Nicolás Otamendi.
A 1-1 draw would’ve worked for ‘Gladbach, but someone forgot to tell them there were 90 minutes to play. Instead of a well-earned point, the German’s were undone by Sergio Aguëro of all people. Rather than full points or even a single point in Group D, Monchengladbach are the only side without a point in the group.
Brutal, much?
Most Shocking Result: Astana 2-2 Galatasaray
No doubt the Turkish side is not the strongest in Group C, but it is at least a step or three above the Kazakhi champions. Astana took advantage of the home atmosphere and cozy confines to get on top of the game early on.
However, the most shocking part of this match is the fact that there were two, yes TWO, goalkeeper-induced own goals to make this a tie match in the final four minutes. Galatasaray’s keeper, Fernando Muslera, was credited with the final OG in the 89th minute to see his side give up the first points ever to a Kazakhi side.
There were three own goals over all in the match, including both Astana’s two second-half goals
Who Didn’t See That Coming?: Cristiano Ronaldo gets his 500th goal
We all knew it was going to happen, right? I mean, Ronaldo not scoring in a Champions League match seems to be the more rare feat these days. However, reaching the 500th goal plateau is just insane, whether or not we all saw it coming.
Best Tweet:
Most goals + assists in the Champions League since 2012/13:
C.Ronaldo (50)
L.Messi (33)
R.Lewandowski (31)
T.Muller (28)
K.Benzema (26)— Squawka (@Squawka) September 30, 2015
The best of the best have clearly risen to the occasion when the Champions League takes center stage.
Best Goal: Bilal Kisa, Galatasaray
While the Astana-Galatasary match was wholly insane, there’s no doubting that Bilal Kisa picked a hell of a time for his first Champions League goal. It just so happened to be a beauty as well.
Team Most in Trouble After Matchday 2: Borussia Monchengladbach
In a grou that was seen as the easy “Group of Death,” the German side is in a major hole. Not only is it on zero points in Group D, but it is facing a second must-win matchup against Sevilla on matchday 3 if it ever wants hope to become a real contender in this group. Having a minus-4 goal differential is also a deep hole to climb out of in a group that is likely to see tiebreakers come in to play when it is all said and done.
Highlight Games for Matchday 3 (Groups A through D):
PSG vs. Real Madrid
Wolfsburg vs. PSV Eindhoven
Juventus vs. Borussia Monchengladbach
