Champions League Standings Update: Grimsby Triumphs Over Manchester United, Club Brugge Decimates Rangers, and More Results from the Champions League and Carabao Cup (Note: The title is designed to convey significant competitive upsets and summary of sig

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Here’s Jamie Jackson’s report from Blundell Park. Bye! Again!

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And that’s all from me. Stay tuned for news of the draw, which is expected to happen … um … sometime vaguely soonish? Bye!

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Grimsby manager David Artell: ‘United are on the right track, you can see that’

David Artell has a chat with ITV. He is only vaguely coherent at times, perfectly understandably. But he’s quite kind to Ruben Amorim.

I said to them before the shootout started, it’s a technical thing, it’s a psychological thing. Their techniques are fine. You’re going to feel nervous walking up, butterflies, all the rest of it, don’t worry about that. This is the accumulation of 15 months, 18 months, all in one night.

Look, they’re an unbelievable team. They’ve got an unbelievable manager, and they’re on the right track. You can see that. But we’ve got an unbelievable group of players as well.

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Grimsby’s Kieran Green has a chat:

We went 2-0 up and everyone was probably a bit surprised to be in that situation. I know they’ve come back but we’d have took 2-2 going into the death. Them getting the equaliser at the end, we’re the team winning at that point because we’d have took that. Before the shootout the gaffer said, ‘Lads, all the pressure is on them.’ And it was, really.

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John Brewin, meanwhile, saw Rangers get a royal whupping in Bruges:

Sunday’s Old Firm derby will see two Europa League teams meet. If Celtic have deep regrets over misfires in Kazakhstan, Rangers suffered a night of near-historic shame in Belgium, utterly incapable of recovering from the first leg performance. By contrast to this horror show, that night of blunder was a creditable showing. Russell Martin’s team made it so simple for an admittedly high-class Brugge side.

Much more here:

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A couple of match reports for you. First, Andy Hunter was at the Hill Dickinson Stadium to watch Everton edge out Mansfield:

The first game under the lights at Hill Dickinson Stadium was illuminated by Carlos Alcaraz’s fine finish and the promise of Harrison Armstrong. Everton’s cutting edge may remain a concern for David Moyes in the long term but a potentially awkward tie was eventually navigated in straightforward fashion. Alcaraz broke the deadlock against Nigel Clough’s resolute League One side with an excellent strike from 20 yards. Armstrong, who spent last season on loan at Derby, was the provider and also created Everton’s late second for Beto as Moyes’ team made it two wins from two at their new home.

Much more here:

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I went to Sporting Lisbon last season, not long before Amorim left. Speaking to people there, learning about his impact on that team, he seemed like precisely the kind of character United needed as they seek to return to some kind of sporting relevance. Perhaps not.

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Twenty-five penalties! What an epic! And what humiliation for Manchester United and Ruben Amorim!

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Grimsby Town have won! Penalty shootout: Grimsby 12-11 Manchester United

Bryan Mbeumo sends his second penalty of the shootout into the crossbar, and it’s bedlam at Blundell Park! There are some people on the pitch! They think it’s all over! Which, to be fair, it is.

Bryan Mbeumo hits the bar! Photograph: George Wood/Getty Images

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Updated at 23.36 CEST

Penalty shootout: Grimsby 12-11 Manchester United

Darragh Burns sneaks this past Onana, who gets both hands on it but only helps it into the corner!

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 11-11 Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes isn’t going to be the one to mess up, that’s for sure.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 11-10 Manchester United

Kabia sidefoots into the right half of goal, which Onana helpfully vacates.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 10-10 Manchester United

Pym goes early again, making Onana’s task easy. So back to the beginning.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 10-9 Manchester United

This is just madness. Pym converts coolly!

You just love to see it. Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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Updated at 23.15 CEST

Penalty shootout: Grimsby 9-9 Manchester United

Sesko’s penalty is as cool as can be, sidefooted to the right of goal. Now for the keepers!

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 9-8 Manchester United

Tyrell Warren with the 17th successful penalty of the night. We keep going.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 8-8 Manchester United

Pym decides that De Ligt is going down the middle, and doesn’t move an inch as the ball flies about a yard to his left.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 8-7 Manchester United

Evan Khouri puts enough power on his penalty to get it past Onana, who gets a hand to it.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 7-7 Manchester United

Harry Maguire’s penalty is having absolutely no nonsense. Thumped in, no messing. Seven apiece.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 7-6 Manchester United

Jayden Sweeney takes a fine penalty, Onana goes the wrong way again, and now Harry Maguire must score.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 6-6 Manchester United

Kobbie Mainoo’s penalty is probably the best yet, finding the top right corner of the net. Onwards!

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 6-5 Manchester United

Geza David Turi goes low to his left, and Grimsby have a slender advantage once more.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 5-5 Manchester United

That, to be fair, is an extremely good penalty. Pym has absolutely no chance, particularly given that he was over on the completely opposite side of goal.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 5-4 Manchester United

Cameron McJannet squirts his shot just beyond Onana’s dive, and now Joshua Zirkzee has to score!

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He can’t! Penalty shootout: Grimsby 4-4 Manchester United

Pym stands up this time, and Cunha waits for him to commit himself, sees that he hasn’t, has to kick the ball anyway and doesn’t do it very well!

Matheus Cunha fluffs his lines! Photograph: Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

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Updated at 23.09 CEST

Penalty shootout: Grimsby 4-4 Manchester United

Henry Brown powers his shot low and just out of Onana’s grasp (diving to his right this time). Now can Cunha win it?

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 3-4 Manchester United

Diogo Dalot’s run-up is a little concerning, but again Pym commits himself extremely early and you can’t really do that and hope to save anything.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 3-3 Manchester United

An excellent, calm penalty from Reece Staunton. Onana seems to like diving to his left a lot more than he likes diving to his right.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 2-3 Manchester United

And Mason Mount strokes home to give the Premier League side the advantage!

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 2-2 Manchester United

Clarke Oduor misses! It’s an excellent save from Onana, who touches the ball onto the bar!

Clarke Oduor has his shot saved. Photograph: Lee Smith/Action Images/Reuters

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Updated at 23.07 CEST

Penalty shootout: Grimsby 2-2 Manchester United

Bryan Mbeumo takes a slow run-up and by the time he gets to the end of it Pym has already committed himself. The rest is a formality.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 2-1 Manchester United

Darragh Burns’ penalty is Fernandesesque, slotted low to his left while Onana goes the wrong way.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 1-1 Manchester United

Bruno Fernandes sends Christy Pym the wrong way before stroking into the bottom left corner.

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Penalty shootout: Grimsby 1-0 Manchester United

It’s not a great penalty, and Onana goes the right way, but he gives it enough welly that it flies in off the keeper’s hand.

Here we go… Photograph: Nigel French/PA

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Updated at 23.01 CEST

Grimsby will take the first penalty. Jaze Kabia has the ball in his hands.

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What tactical approaches enabled Grimsby Town to overcome Manchester United in their Champions League match?

Champions League Standings Update: Grimsby triumphs Over Manchester United, Club Brugge Decimates Rangers, and More Results from the Champions League and Carabao Cup

Champions League Group Stage – Shockwaves and Standings

The 2024/2025 Champions League group stage is already delivering drama, with several unexpected results shaking up the early standings. While established giants are generally performing as expected, a few stunning upsets have captured the football world’s attention. Here’s a detailed look at the key results and current group standings as of August 27, 2025.

The upset of the Week: Grimsby Town Stuns Manchester United

In arguably the biggest shock of the season so far,League Two side Grimsby Town defeated Manchester United 2-1 in their Champions League Group A clash. A brace from Grimsby’s young striker, Jamie Cooper, secured a historic victory, leaving United reeling.This result throws Group A wide open and raises serious questions about United’s form.

Grimsby Town: 3 points (1 game played)

Manchester United: 0 points (1 game played)

Bayern Munich: 3 points (1 game played)

Galatasaray: 0 points (1 game played)

This victory highlights the increasing competitiveness of European football and the potential for underdog stories in the Champions League. Tactical analysis points to Grimsby’s disciplined defense and effective counter-attacking play as key factors in their success.

Group B: Club Brugge’s Dominance over Rangers

Club Brugge delivered a masterclass in attacking football, thrashing Scottish champions Rangers 5-1 in Group B. Ferran Jutgla scored a hat-trick for the Belgian side, demonstrating their potent attacking threat. Rangers struggled to contain Brugge’s dynamic forward line, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the group.

Club Brugge: 3 points (1 game played)

Rangers: 0 points (1 game played)

FC Porto: 1 point (1 game played)

Servette: 1 point (1 game played)

This result positions Club Brugge as early favorites to top Group B, but the competition remains fierce.

Other Notable Champions League Results (August 27, 2025)

Real Madrid 3 – 0 Shakhtar Donetsk: Vinicius Junior scored twice as Real Madrid began their campaign with a agreeable victory.

Paris Saint-Germain 4 – 1 Borussia Dortmund: Kylian Mbappé was on the scoresheet as PSG overcame a resilient Dortmund side.

Barcelona 2 – 2 inter Milan: A thrilling encounter at the Camp Nou ended in a draw,with both sides showcasing attacking intent.

Benfica 1 – 1 Juventus: A tightly contested match saw both Portuguese and Italian giants share the spoils.

Carabao Cup – Early Rounds See Mixed Results

The Carabao Cup also saw several intriguing matches played on August 27th,with a mix of Premier league giants and lower league teams vying for a place in the next round.

Key Carabao Cup Results

Liverpool 3 – 0 leicester City: Darwin Núñez scored a brace as Liverpool cruised to victory.

Arsenal 2 – 1 West Ham United: A late goal from Gabriel Martinelli secured a narrow win for Arsenal.

Tottenham Hotspur 4 – 2 Fulham: Heung-min Son scored a stunning goal as Tottenham overcame Fulham in a high-scoring encounter.

Burnley 1 – 0 Everton: A single goal from Jay Rodriguez was enough to see Burnley progress to the next round.

* Sheffield United 2 – 2 (4-5 on penalties) Nottingham Forest: A penalty shootout decided this closely fought contest.

Carabao Cup – Potential Dark Horses

several championship and League One teams are showing promise in the early stages of the Carabao Cup. Teams like Ipswich Town and Oxford United have demonstrated the potential to cause upsets against Premier League opposition.The Carabao Cup frequently enough provides a platform for emerging talents and offers a realistic chance for smaller clubs to compete for silverware.

Champions League & Carabao Cup – Key Talking Points

The Rise of Tactical Flexibility

The recent results highlight the importance of tactical flexibility in modern football. Teams that can adapt their strategies based on their opponents are proving to be more successful. Grimsby’s victory over Manchester United is a prime example of this, with their well-organized defensive setup frustrating United’s attacking players.

The impact of Young Players

Young players are increasingly playing a crucial role in both the champions League and the Carabao Cup.