Chelsea vs Zenit LIVE: Champions League result, final score and reaction tonight
Relive all the action as the Blues began the defence of their European crown
Romelu Lukaku’s pinpoint header rescued Chelsea’s first match as Champions League holders in a 1-0 win over Zenit St Petersburg.
Belgium hitman Lukaku bagged his third goal in two games and his fourth for Chelsea since his £98million switch from Inter Milan.
The 28-year-old converted captain Cesar Azpilicueta’s hanging far-post cross with a header of stunning accuracy, and that after shrugging aside three touch-tight Zenit defenders.
Chelsea laboured past a resolute and regimented Zenit, for much of the match running the risk of limping to a dispiriting draw.
But then Lukaku rose up, highest of all, to nod home and turn the night entirely. Relive all the action below:
Young Boys vs Manchester United result: Player ratings as Red Devils lose in Champions League
Manchester United’s Champions League campaign started in disappointing fashion as they lost 2-1 at Young Boys. Here’s how the players all fared:
Player ratings as 10-man Man United lose at Young Boys
Young Boys 2-1 Man United: Ronaldo’s early effort cancelled out by Ngamaleu after Wan-Bissaka’s red card before an injury-time winner
Chelsea vs Zenit St Petersburg
Chelsea kick off their defence of the Champions League trophy after they beat Manchester City in last season’s final and Thomas Tuchel says the feeling of winning is addictive.
“Nothing is like belief,” said Tuchel. “When you do the last step nothing compares.
“It really changes something for everybody. The most important [thing] is not to look back, but keep the feeling and the hunger.
“It is addictive, this game is about winning because it changes the atmosphere and feeling and gives you natural confidence.”
Chelsea vs Zenit St Petersburg
Kicking off in less than 15 minutes, Chelsea take on Zenit St Petersburg at Stamford Bridge. Here’s a look at both teams:
Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Christensen, Rudiger; James, Jorginho, Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Lukaku, Mount
Zenit XI: Kritsyuk; Sutormin, Chistiakos, Rakits’kyy, Santos; Malcom, Wendel, Barrios, Kuzyaev, Claudinho; Azmoun
Young Boys shock Man Utd
Manchester United lost 2-1 away from home to Young Boys who move to the top of Group F. United took the lead through Cristiano Ronaldo before the game changed as Aaron Wan Bissaka was sent off for a reckless challenge on Christopher Martins. Young Boys then dominated, hitting the Red Devils with attack after attack until they finally scored the winning goal in the final minute of the game!
Full-time: Young Boys 2 - 1 Man Utd
90+6 mins: Manchester United lose to Young Boys in their opening Champions League fixture!
GOAL! Young Boys 2 - 1 Man Utd (Siebatcheu, 90+5’)⚽️
90+5 mins: Young Boys have won it! It’s a shocking goal to concede for Man Utd. Jesse Lingard switches off and underhits a back pass to De Gea. He doesn’t see Jordan Siebatcheu waiting in the box. The substitute gets to the ball and chips it past the goalkeeper giving Young Boys a remarkable victory!
Young Boys 1 - 1 Man Utd
90+2 mins: Fassnacht misses out on a cross into the box and Dalot manages to clear the danger for Man Utd. Elia and Lauper are taken off for Young Boys with Cedric Zesiger and Wilfried Kanga brought on.
Young Boys 1 - 1 Man Utd
90 mins: There’s five minutes of added time to play. This one isn’t over just yet!
Young Boys 1 - 1 Man Utd
89 mins: Five substitutions are allowed in the Champions League group stages and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is going to make use of them. He brings Anthony Martial on for Fred with time ticking away.
Young Boys 1 - 1 Man Utd
87 mins: Miralem Sulejmani whips in a nice corner but Harry Maguire heads away. Young Boys get it back. United are penned in yet again.
Shaw stops Sulejmani from crossing the ball into the middle and the ball deflects out to Aebischer. He drills one from range and De Gea tips it over the crossbar!
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