Champions League 23-24 quarterfinals first legs equal stunning scoring record

The Champions League quarterfinals 23-24 go into the record books with the joint record number of goals in the first leg, with 18 goals across the four matches. That equals the record set in 2011.

Highest number of goals in Champions League quarterfinal first legs

In the opening first legs on Tuesday night, Real Madrid drew with Manchester City 3-3, while Arsenal and Bayern Munich drew two apiece, for a total of 10 goals. Tonight, Wednesday, Barcelona beat PSG in Paris 3-2, and Atlético Madrid got a 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund, to add a further eight goals, taking the total first leg tally to 18.

In 2011, Real Madrid beat Spurs 4-0, Man Utd beat Chelsea 1-0, Barcelona battered Shakhtar Donetsk 5-1 and Schalke 04 got a famous 5-2 win over Inter, also for a total of 18.

Scoring record in 2020

In the covid-19 affected 2020 quarterfinals, the matches were played over just one leg, and in those there were an incredible 20 goals scored in the four Games, in part due to Bayern Munich dismantling Barcelona 8-2. Lyon beat Man City 3-1, Leipzig beat Atlético Madrid 2-1 and PSG were victorious 2-1 over Atalanta to complete the round.

Most goals ever in the first leg of the quarterfinals in the European Cup

While 18 is the record for quarterfinal first leg goals in the Champions League, there have been more in the European Cup, back in 1957, which saw 19 goals in total.

Athletic Bilbao 5-3 Manchester United

Fiorentina 3-1 Grasshopper

Real Madrid 3-0 Nice

Red Star Belgrade 3-1 CSKA Sofia