The Champions League is back and what a night of sumptuous screamers Tuesday’s opening chunk of fixtures served up. French lorry drivers would struggle to match the quality of these strikes.
It was Spurs in Italy for the starter, and what a tasty morsel it was – though Inter’s two late goal will have given Mauricio Pochettino plenty to chew on in the coming days.
Mauro Icardi cancelled out Christian Eriksen’s opener with a volley struck so sweetly it could rot your teeth.
View it in the UK here:
Mauro Icardi scored Inter Milan’s first Champions League goal in 2,381 days (Diego Milito, March 2012 vs Marseille)
They are back in the big time! What a strike! pic.twitter.com/7CQ0V6ffVj
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 18, 2018
And for Ireland:
Get over to PaddyPower.com for all the latest football oddsWhat about this for a strike from Mauro Icardi earlier!? ?#VMSport pic.twitter.com/3qfeD2af4Q
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 18, 2018
Meanwhile, at the Nou Camp, Lionel Messi was doing Lionel Messi things against a helpless PSV defence.
For readers in the UK:
The first goal of the 2018/19 Champions League season?
A sublime Messi free-kick ?pic.twitter.com/UciDRcH8b5
— Watch the UEFA Champions League on BT Sport (@btsport) September 18, 2018
Ireland:
Magical Messi! ⚽️
The Barcelona captain scores the 1st goal of the 2018/19 #UCL Group Stages with a piece of absolute brilliance!
Barcelona v PSV is live on Virgin Media Sport Extra 1.#VMSport pic.twitter.com/3GYU2R8Scs
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 18, 2018
The little maestro bagged yet another UCL hat-trick and closed some ground on his old rival Ronaldo in the all-time Champions League scorer stakes.
We want to see four on your European debut for Juve, Cristiano, we’re sure you’re up to the job.
And youngster Ousmane Dembele pitched in with a peach of his own as the Catalans catapulted to a 4-0 win.
These were just the two early kick offs!
Maybe the UEFA suits really are on to something with these 5:55 starts?
It was Liverpool and PSG who dished out a marvellous main course, with Roberto Firmino’s bolt across the box sealing a statement win for Klopp’s charges.
You know the score; UK:
They've done it! ?
Roberto Firmino comes off the bench to score Liverpool's winner in stoppage time!
What a match! ?? pic.twitter.com/z8fRzWrhfY
— Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) September 18, 2018
Ireland:
Bobby Firmino!!!
The Brazilian wins it for #LFC in the 92nd minute with a fabulous strike!
Liverpool 3-2 PSG.
Reaction next on Virgin Media Sport!#VMSport pic.twitter.com/l3stCnHZMZ
— Virgin Media Sport (@VMSportIE) September 18, 2018
Phew.
We may need a lie down after that.
Maybe Mourinho can knock up a nil-nil draw tonight to settle things down.
PaddyPower.com has the latest odds on the Champions League