Lens 1-9 Como: Fabregas' men record joint-biggest win in Champions League history

Como recorded the joint-biggest victory in Champions League history as they thrashed Lens 9-1 at Stade Bollaert-Delelis.

Tasos Douvikas scored a hat-trick and provided an assist, while Nico Paz and Mattia Liberali also directly contributed to three goals each as Cesc Fabregas' side wrote their names into the record books.

Como opened the scoring after seven minutes as Maximo Perrone headed Luis Milla's lofted pass back across the goal for Douvikas to tap in from close range.

Lens were then awarded a penalty after a handball against Maxence Caqueret, though the decision was reversed after a VAR check, and the hosts' misery was compounded when Douvikas doubled his tally with another simple finish after the half-hour mark.

Paz scored his only goal before the break, lashing into the roof of the net after a swift counter, which was led by Douvikas, and the Argentina international turned provider two minutes after half-time, teeing up Lucas Da Cunha for an impressive finish.

And before the hour, it was 6-0 to the visitors. Marc Oliver Kempf first nodded in from Milla's cross before Douvikas completed his hat-trick with a powerful strike at the near post.

Liberali came off the bench to score the seventh in the 62nd minute, finishing past Robin Risser after a long ball from Jacobo Ramon, but Lens scored a consolation three minutes later as Ruben Aguilar volleyed past Jean Butez.

But Como would still have the last laugh; Martin Baturina found the bottom-left corner after being played in by Liberali, who also assisted 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli on his Como debut in the 91st minute.

Como win big to make Champions League history

Fabregas said he regretted telling his Como players to slow down last time out against Manchester United, and his team did no such thing against Lens.

Como have recorded the biggest away win in Champions League history. Their eight-goal margin also equals the competition's overall record, matching Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas in 2007 and Real Madrid's 8-0 victory against Malmo in 2015.

Fabregas' side are only the second club to score nine goals in a Champions League match, after Bayern Munich vs Dinamo Zagreb in September 2024 (9-2). They are the first Italian side to score nine in major European competition since Roma beat Altay SK 10-1 in 1962.

Como have equalled the most goals scored by any club in their first four major European matches (19), matching QPR in 1976. They have surpassed the Champions League record by five goals, previously held by Juventus (14 in 1995-96).

Douvikas is the fourth different player to score in each of an Italian side's opening four Champions League matches in a single season, after Alessandro Del Piero (Juventus, 1995-96 and 1997-98), Filippo Inzaghi (AC Milan, 2002-03) and Samuel Eto'o (Inter, 2010-11).

Paz, meanwhile, is the second-youngest player to be involved in at least three goals in consecutive Champions League appearances (22 years 57 days), behind Thierry Henry in October 1997 (20y 66d).

Como are the first side to have 11 different players score or assist in a Champions League match, overtaking the previous record of 10 set by Benfica in their 6-1 win against Maccabi Haifa in November 2022, and their nine goals came from 18 shots, which amounted to 4.27 expected goals (xG).