# Champions League Goals Galore But Why Hollow?

> Champions League drama with 40 goals in nine games leaves fans feeling hollow.
- Title: Champions League Goals Galore But Why Hollow? · the Guardian
- Summary: Champions League drama with 40 goals in nine games leaves fans feeling hollow. Champions League group stage matches featured 40 goals across nine games, but…
- Keywords: champions league, football, lamine yamal, nапoli, barcelona, paris saint-germain, manchester united, luis enrique, villarreal, florian wirtz, rio ngumoha, sports
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/football/2026/oct/21/champions-league-goals-football-daily-newsletter
- Published: 2026-10-21T14:32:40+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: champions league, football, lamine yamal, nапoli, barcelona, paris saint-germain, manchester united, luis enrique, villarreal, florian wirtz, rio ngumoha, sports
## Champions League Goals Galore
Champions League group stage matches featured 40 goals across nine games, including six in a best-of-best clash between Paris Saint-Germain and Barcelona.
## Lamine Yamal's Equalizer
Lamine Yamal scored a toe-poke equalizer for Spain in a 1-1 draw against Barcelona after returning from heart surgery.
## Napoli's McTominay Double
Scott McTominay scored twice for Napoli in their 4-3 win against Bodø/Glimt, his first goals since returning from heart surgery.
## PSG's 2025-26 Performance
Paris Saint-Germain finished 11th in the 2025-26 season with three wins from three games, avoiding further knockout rounds.
## Liverpool's Comeback
Liverpool came back from two goals down to beat Villarreal with Florian Wirtz scoring the decisive goal.
## Erik Ten Hag's Criticism
Erik ten Hag criticized Manchester United for shipping Scott McTominay to Napoli after his heart surgery.
## Kvaratskhelia's Surgery
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo ACL surgery after tearing his ligament during a 4-2 win over Barcelona.

> Before every game I asked God to let me leave the pitch healthy. But it was in vain. Not much time has passed, yet one thought keeps circling in my head: 'why me?' I never held anything back. I think I prepared for this game better than I ever had before. I thought I was ready for everything, but not for this. I know I have to come back stronger for my people, who are always by my side. I won. I won’t let you down, I promise I won’t waste a single moment.
## Key takeaway

Champions League group stage matches featured 40 goals across nine games, but the lack of jeopardy in the 36-team table makes fans feel hollow.