UEFA Champions League Playoff First Leg in Review: All the Clashes as They Happened

UEFA Champions League Playoff First Leg in Review: All the Clashes as They Happened

The road to the last 16 kicked off on Tuesday night as the UEFA Champions League playoff round burst into life. Four first-leg ties, 13 goals, a red card in Istanbul, a stirring comeback on the French Riviera and controversy in Lisbon ensured that Europe’s elite competition delivered yet again.

From statement wins to slender advantages, here’s how all the clashes unfolded and what the numbers tell us ahead of the decisive second legs.

Borussia Dortmund 2–0 Atalanta

At Signal Iduna Park, Borussia Dortmund set the tone early against Atalanta. The opening goal arrived inside three minutes, a towering header from Serhou Guirassy that immediately altered the rhythm of the contest. Dortmund capitalised on that psychological edge.

Although Atalanta enjoyed slightly more possession over the course of the match, their territorial control lacked incision. Dortmund were comfortable allowing phases of Italian build-up, remaining compact between the lines and springing forward with purpose. Their second goal, arriving just before half-time through Max Beier, felt decisive not just on the scoreboard but in tone. At 2–0, Dortmund’s performance was about efficiency. They generated fewer overall attempts than their opponents but created the clearer openings, finishing the night with a superior expected goals return and, crucially, a clean sheet.

For Atalanta, the deficit is not insurmountable, but the return leg in Bergamo now requires urgency and greater attacking precision. Dortmund’s ability to manage space and tempo means they will travel with confidence.

If Dortmund’s display was calculated, the clash between Galatasaray and Juventus was anything but. Istanbul provided the night’s most chaotic and exhilarating encounter, a contest that swung violently before settling in favour of the hosts.

Dortmund take control in the first leg 💪#UCL pic.twitter.com/GcpF5RY6CZ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 17, 2026

Galatasaray 5–2 Juventus

Galatasaray began with typical intensity, pressing high and feeding off a charged atmosphere. Yet Juventus demonstrated ruthless efficiency in the first half. Despite seeing less of the ball, they struck twice through Teun Koopmeiners, punishing defensive lapses and briefly silencing the stadium. At half-time, the Italian side led 2–1, a reminder that possession means little in knockout football.

The second half, however, was transformative. Galatasaray increased the tempo, committing more bodies forward and compressing Juventus deeper into their own half. The pivotal moment arrived when Juan Cabal was dismissed, reducing Juventus to ten men. From that point onwards, structural cracks widened. Galatasaray’s front line attacked with fluidity, their midfield recycled possession with composure, and their pressing forced repeated turnovers in dangerous areas.

Noa Lang emerged as the standout figure, scoring twice in a devastating spell that flipped the tie on its head. By full-time, Galatasaray had recorded 19 shots and nine efforts on target, their expected goals reflecting sustained pressure. Juventus, by contrast, struggled to progress the ball cleanly after the red card, their pass accuracy dipping and defensive shape unravelling. The 5–2 scoreline leaves the Turin side with a mountain to climb in the return leg, while Galatasaray can approach the second leg with controlled aggression.

Noa Lang 🦁#UCL pic.twitter.com/peixnZDRjZ

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 18, 2026

Monaco 2–3 Paris Saint-Germain

On the French Riviera, the all-Ligue 1 battle between AS Monaco and Paris Saint-Germain delivered a contest defined by resilience and turning points. Monaco could not have scripted a more electric start. Folarin Balogun struck twice within the opening 18 minutes, exploiting space behind PSG’s defensive line with clinical precision. At 2–0, the hosts were fearless and fluid, while PSG appeared momentarily disjointed.

Yet elite European sides are rarely shaken for long. PSG began to reassert control through midfield rotations and sharper ball circulation. Desire Doue’s goal before the break shifted momentum, halving the deficit and restoring belief. Hakimi levelled the score before half time, and PSG found themselves at 2-2, despite falling 2 goals behind and missing from the spot. The match’s defining moment followed shortly after the interval when Monaco were reduced to ten men following Aleksandr Golovin’s second yellow card.

The numerical advantage altered the geometry of the contest. PSG stretched the pitch, increased their tempo and forced Monaco deeper. Désiré Doué added a second to complete a comeback that underlined PSG’s composure under pressure. Over the course of the match, PSG attempted 17 shots to Monaco’s 12 and finished with a notably higher expected goals figure, reflecting both volume and quality of opportunity.

Monaco’s early burst demonstrated their attacking potency, but discipline proved costly. PSG now return to Paris with a 3–2 lead and the psychological advantage that accompanies it. Still, the narrow margin ensures the tie remains alive.

🔄 Subbed on
⚽ Two goals
🅰️ One assist #UCL | #POTM pic.twitter.com/Gttw1Ieugw

— UEFA Champions League (@ChampionsLeague) February 17, 2026

Benfica 0–1 Real Madrid

In Lisbon, the evening’s tightest contest unfolded between Benfica and Real Madrid. Where other ties were defined by chaos, this one was shaped by control and fine margins. Madrid, masters of knockout management, approached the game with patience and structure.

The decisive moment came early in the second half when Vinícius Júnior cut inside and delivered a sublime finish beyond the goalkeeper. It was a goal born of individual quality, the type that often determines European ties of this magnitude. Madrid’s midfield dictated the rhythm throughout, completing over 600 passes with impressive accuracy and limiting Benfica to sporadic counter-attacks.

The match was briefly halted following an alleged racist incident, an interruption that intensified emotions within the stadium. Yet Madrid maintained composure after the restart, closing spaces and controlling transitions. They finished with 16 shots to Benfica’s 10 and a superior expected goals tally, though the 1–0 scoreline leaves the contest delicately poised.

🚨🗣️Vini Jr to Otamendi : “I have won 2 champions league titles”

🚨🗣️Otamendi to Vini Jr: “Look at this tattoo , I am a World Champion”

😂😂😂😂😂😂😭😭😭😭😭pic.twitter.com/5LXfclYDiH

— 𝐂𝐀 𝐕𝐀?🐐🐐 (@psg_chief) February 18, 2026

Across the four matches, the themes were clear. Lots of goals and chaos with 13 goals were scored, 2 red cards were issued, and momentum swung dramatically in more than one tie.

Yet despite the drama, nothing is final. Dortmund’s two-goal cushion offers comfort but not certainty. Galatasaray’s commanding lead appears decisive, yet Juventus’ pedigree demands respect. PSG’s comeback has given them control, though Monaco’s early explosiveness lingers as a warning. Real Madrid’s narrow edge is classic knockout positioning, advantageous but far from conclusive.