FC Bayern got the weekend’s football off to an exciting start with their thrilling penalty shootout win over Chelsea in the UEFA Super Cup.
An equaliser with one of the last kicks of extra-time from Javi Martinez took the match to penalties and the European champions prevailed after Romelu Lukaku missed Chelsea’s crucial fifth spot-kick.
It was the second time Pep Guardiola’s men had levelled in the match after Franck Ribery cancelled out Fernando Torres’s early goal just after the break.
Ramires was sent off with five minutes to play but it was Chelsea who found the first goal of extra time courtesy of a wonder goal from Eden Hazard.
Jose Mourinho’s men looked like they were about to complete their set of European trophies won in the last three seasons but Martinez came up with the equaliser in the first minute of additional time in extra-time.
Bayern scored all five of their penalties to avenge their Champions League defeat to Chelsea in 2012.
On balance, the German side were just about good value for their win as they forced a couple of outstanding saves from Petr Cech in extra-time but there are concerns in the local media that Guardiola’s methods are taking time to take hold.
However, the reigning Bundesliga champions have won three and draw one of their opening four league games, so perhaps rumours of a decline are being greatly exaggerated.
Elsewhere, Russian champions CSKA Moscow kept their vice-like grip on top spot in the Russian Premier League with a 2-1 win over Amkar Perm.
Amkar raced into the lead in the first 60 seconds courtesy of a goal from Bulgarian veteran Georgi Peev but Leonid Slutsky’s men came from behind with a goal in each half to claim the points.
Seydou Doumbia levelled before the break before free-scoring Nigerian striker Ahmed Musa walloped home his fifth goal of the season and his third and in three games.
CSKA now lead neighbours Spartak by three points after seven games.
Viktoria Plzen also lead their division seven games in after they saw off a spirited Sigma Olomouc side on Sunday evening at the Doosan Arena.
It was their fourth win in five and put Pavel Vrba’s men ahead of Sparta Prague on goal difference.
Plzen were 2-0 up inside 10 minutes courtesy of goals from Daniel Kolar and František Raktoral before the visitors hit back on the hour through Sindelar.
Lukas Hejda restored Viktoria’s two-goal advantage on the hour before Dolezal set up a nervy last 20 minutes by scoring Olomouc’s second goal.
The Czech champions held on to record a 3-2 win to bank another crucial three points in what is looking increasingly like a two-horse title race.
Due to the international break, there will be no Euro Watch next week but we’ll bring you the latest from across the continent the following week when domestic football returns.
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