PSG, Arsenal, Inter and Barça roll over rivals in Champions League

Reigning champion Paris Saint-Germain, runner-up Inter Milan, and contenders Arsenal and Barcelona all reaffirmed their title ambitions Tuesday with big wins in a high-scoring Champions League matchday that produced 43 goals in nine games.

PSG thrashed Bayer Leverkusen 2-7 in Germany, but that was not the only heavy scoreline of the European night. The same goal difference was seen at Montjuic, where Barça crushed Greek side Olympiacos, who were a man down shortly after 2-1 due to the sending-off of Argentine Santiago Hezze, the final result, 6-1.

In what was billed as a clash of heavyweights, Arsenal crushed Atletico Madrid 4-0, the same result with which Inter overcame modest Belgian Union Saint-Gilloise. Also by a four-goal margin, Dutch side PSV surprisingly beat an unrecognizable Napoli (6-2).

Goalscoring madness

English clubs enjoyed a perfect Tuesday night, with three wins from its three contending teams. In addition to Arsenal's win, Newcastle beat Benfica 3-0, leaving the Portuguese side still pointless, while Manchester City conquered Villarreal (0-2).

In Leverkusen, Ecuadorian center back Willian Pacho (7'), Desiré Doué (41' and 45+3'), Khvicha Kvaratskhelia ('44), Nuno Mendes ('50), Ousmane Dembélé ('66), returning from injury and who had just entered the field, and Vitinha (90') capped the scoring for Luis Enrique’s PSG, which had already beaten Atalanta and Barcelona in its first two group-stage games.

The Parisian side provisionally leads the single Champions League group with 9 points, the same as Inter Milan and Arsenal, while Leverkusen are 26th with two draws and a defeat.

"We want to win everything again this season. We have confidence from last year. Our goal is real and authentic," said Luis Enrique, who acknowledged that "it will be difficult."

Arsenal steamrolls Atlético, ending its hopes in just 15 minutes

Arsenal, also off to a perfect start and leading the Premier League, crushed Atlético Madrid with four goals in just 15 minutes.

Brazilians Gabriel (57') and Gabriel Martinelli (64') put the game in the 'Gunners' favour. And in three minutes (67', 70'), Swedish attacker Viktor Gyokeres scored twice from the six-yard box.

For their part, Atletico Madrid, who lost their previous visit to England to Liverpool last September (3-2), only have three points.

Fermín's hat-trick in Barça's thrashing

Another Spanish team, FC Barcelona, regained positive sensations after losing at home in early October to PSG. Fermín López became the first Spanish player to score three goals in a Champions League match for the Catalan side, 9th with six points.

“We finished feeling good, now it’s time to focus on El Clásico against Real Madrid in LaLiga on Sunday,” said the Barcelona academy product.

Only one clean sheet in the whole matchday

The goalless draw between Kairat Almaty (33rd) and Paphos (27th) contrasted with the goal frenzy of the rest of the matches, but testified to the shortcomings of the Kazakh side and their Cypriot opponents, who will find it very difficult to qualify in the top 24 and thus have a chance of reaching the round of 16.