After two matchdays of the 2025 - 26 Champions League, Real Madrid and Paris Saint - Germain sit atop the standings with perfect 6 - point hauls. Mbappé’s hat - trick powered Madrid’s 5 - 0 rout, while PSG upset Barcelona. Here’s the breakdown of their hot starts.
The 2025 - 26 UEFA Champions League league phase is in full swing, and after two action - packed matchdays, two European giants have separated themselves from the pack. Real Madrid and Paris Saint - Germain (PSG) have not dropped a single point, cementing their status as early title contenders and sparking buzz across social media platforms.
Standings Recap: Perfect Starts for Title Favorites
As of October 1, only six teams boast unblemished 6 - point records, with Real Madrid and PSG leading the charge among the sport’s elites . Real Madrid sits second overall with a +6 goal difference, thanks to dominant wins: a statement - making 5 - 0 away victory over debutants Kairat Almaty and a gritty 2 - 1 win against Marseille . PSG isn’t far behind in third, riding a 2 - 0 start highlighted by a stunning 2 - 1 road win over arch - rivals Barcelona—a result that sent shockwaves through La Liga and Ligue 1 fanbases alike .
Bayern Munich currently tops the table by a narrow goal - difference margin, but Madrid and PSG’s performances have stolen the headlines, especially given their ability to win both comfortably and in high - pressure matchups.
Mbappé Shines for Madrid, PSG’s Youth Delivers
Real Madrid’s success has been fueled by Kylian Mbappé’s red - hot form. The French superstar bagged a hat - trick in the 5 - 0 drubbing of Kairat Almaty, pushing his early tally to five goals in two matches—good for the top spot in the UCL射手榜 . Mbappé, who joined Madrid from PSG, has brushed off off - field noise from his former club’s fans to anchor Los Blancos’ attack, telling reporters recently, “We’re on the right path, and the goal is always to win trophies” .
PSG, meanwhile, has turned heads with a youthful attacking unit. Manager Luis Enrique fielded a front three with an average age of 19 against Barcelona, and the gamble paid off. Ousmane Dembélé led the line brilliantly, while youngsters like Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué have injected energy into the squad . Their defense, anchored by Achraf Hakimi and Marquinhos, also stepped up, shutting down Barcelona’s usually potent attack .
Matchday 3 Preview: Crucial Tests Ahead
The road won’t get easier for the leaders, with blockbuster Matchday 3 fixtures on the horizon. Real Madrid will face a stern test when they take on Manchester City—a team that held Monaco to a 2 - 2 draw in Matchday 2 . For PSG, a clash with Athletic Club awaits, a side that fell 4 - 1 to Dortmund but remains dangerous on the counterattack .
These matches could be defining. A win for Madrid over City would solidify their status as contenders, while PSG will look to keep their momentum against Athletic. Fans on Twitter and Facebook are already hyping the matchups, with “Madrid vs City” and “PSG UCL” trending in multiple countries.
Opta’s Verdict: Can They Go All the Way?
Despite their strong starts, the road to the Budapest final (May 30, 2026) is long. Opta’s supercomputer currently ranks PSG as the third favorite to lift the trophy with a 12.1% chance, while Real Madrid sits seventh at 5.8% . Liverpool and Arsenal lead the predictions, but Madrid’s UCL pedigree and PSG’s star power can’t be ignored.
One thing is clear: after two matchdays, the 2025 - 26 Champions League has already delivered drama, star performances, and intense competition. For Madrid and PSG, staying atop the standings will require consistency—but if their early form is any indication, they’re more than up to the task.