Paris Saint-Germain launched their bid for a third consecutive Champions League title in emphatic fashion, thrashing Slovan Bratislava 6-1 at home thanks in large part to a hat-trick from new signing Ferran Torres.
The holders wasted little time asserting their dominance over the Slovak visitors, managed by former Champions League winner Yaya Toure. Ousmane Dembele got the rout underway with two goals before Torres, a World Cup winner, took over and scored three times in quick succession to put the game beyond doubt.
By the 57th-minute mark, PSG had raced into a commanding 5-0 lead, showcasing a sharpness that has not always been evident in their domestic form this season. Slovan Bratislava briefly interrupted the procession when Suleiman Camara found the net to give the away side a consolation goal, but PSG had the final word when substitute Fabian Ruiz added a sixth two minutes from full time.
The result sends a strong message from the French champions as they look to extend their European supremacy, with the comprehensive nature of the victory suggesting they remain one of the tournament's top contenders despite recent domestic league inconsistency.
Elsewhere on a busy night of Champions League action, Sporting produced a comeback of their own in Lisbon, coming from behind to beat Galatasaray 3-1. The Turkish side stunned the home crowd with an early lead when Goncalo Inacio turned the ball into his own net inside five minutes. However, defensive lapses from Galatasaray allowed Geny Catamo to level matters in the 27th minute. Sporting then took control in the second half, with Luis Suarez converting from the penalty spot in the 57th minute before Rodrigo Zalazar sealed victory with a spectacular free kick six minutes later.
In Spain, Barcelona delivered a statement performance of their own, demolishing Feyenoord 5-1 in wet conditions. Captain Raphinha was at the heart of the rout with a brace, while Karim Adeyemi, Lamine Yamal and Gabriel Jesus also found the net for the Catalan giants. Sem Steijn grabbed a late consolation for the Dutch visitors.
Speaking after the match, Barcelona coach Hansi Flick struck a note of cautious optimism about his side's prospects for the campaign. "There is a long way to go until (the end of the season in) May, but it is true that things look very good because we are training very hard and everyone is hungry," he said.
Germany also saw fireworks, with Ermedin Demirovic scoring an astonishing hat-trick inside just 12 first-half minutes as VfB Stuttgart defeated Viking Stavanger 3-1 at home. Demirovic opened the scoring with a close-range finish after 20 minutes, only for Viking - making their debut appearance in the competition's group phase - to level almost immediately through a swift counter-attack finished by Zlatko Tripic. Demirovic restored Stuttgart's lead within minutes and then completed his treble with a well-executed volley to complete a whirlwind first-half spell.
The Champions League action continues with six more fixtures scheduled for Thursday, headlined by three-time European champions Manchester United hosting Azerbaijani debutants Sabah, who battled through four preliminary knockout rounds to secure their place in the group stage.
Based on reporting from The Independent and BBC Sport.