Lille collapse as Ethan Mbappe sent off, while Guirassy inspires Dortmund thriller

Lille were beaten 3-2 by Real Betis in the opening round of the UEFA Champions League league phase, with Ethan Mbappe sent off as the French side surrendered their lead at home.

Lille took control in the 12th minute when Ayase Ueda opened the scoring. Real Betis responded through Marc Bartra, who levelled seven minutes before half-time.

The hosts restored their advantage three minutes later, with Alexsandro putting Lille back in front in the 36th minute. Lille held that lead until the interval, but the match changed decisively during a seven-minute spell early in the second half.

Bartra scored his second goal of the game in the 49th minute to make it 2-2. Real Betis then completed the turnaround four minutes later when Troy Parrott found the net.

Lille’s situation deteriorated further in the 56th minute when Ethan Mbappe, the younger brother of Kylian Mbappe, was shown a red card.

Lille’s remaining league-phase fixtures are Bayern Munich at home, Arsenal away, Roma away, Galatasaray at home, Bodø/Glimt away, Slovan Bratislava at home and Stuttgart away.

Real Betis will face Arsenal at home, Bayern away, Porto at home, Borussia Dortmund away, Feyenoord at home, Como at home and Slovan Bratislava away.

Guirassy double gives Dortmund dramatic victory

Borussia Dortmund also began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a 3-2 victory, overcoming Villarreal in an eventful second half.

The opening 45 minutes ended goalless, but all five goals came after the break.

Renato Veiga put Dortmund ahead in the 52nd minute. Villarreal equalised through Santiago Mourino in the 66th minute before Serhou Guirassy restored Dortmund’s lead in the 80th minute.

Guirassy struck again five minutes later to put Dortmund 3-1 ahead and appeared to have secured the points. However, the drama continued when he scored an own goal in the third minute of added time, giving Villarreal late hope.

Dortmund held on to claim a narrow victory.

Dortmund’s other league-phase opponents are Inter at home, Arsenal away, Real Betis at home, Aston Villa away, Bodø/Glimt away, AEK Athens at home and Sabah Baku away.

Villarreal’s remaining matches are against Paris Saint-Germain at home, Liverpool away, Manchester United at home, Napoli at home, Fenerbahce away, Sabah Baku at home and Slavia Prague away.