Como Crush Lens 9-1 for Record Champions League Away Win
Updated
Updated · The New York Times · Nov 4
Como Crush Lens 9-1 for Record Champions League Away Win
3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Nov 4
Summary
Como routed Lens 9-1 in France for the biggest away victory in Champions League history, a stunning result for a club playing in the competition for the first time.
15 shots and 11 on target produced nine goals as Cesc Fabregas' side overwhelmed a Lens team that faded badly after halftime; Tasos Douvikas led the scoring with a hat-trick.
Mattia Liberali helped spark the eighth goal before debutant Matteo Papaccioli added the ninth in stoppage time, underlining Como's depth and confidence.
The win capped a 44-goal matchday four that also saw Fenerbahce beat Liverpool 3-2 and Real Madrid snatch a 3-2 comeback at AEK Athens.
Como were in Italy's fourth tier in 2019 and only reached Serie A two years ago, making the 9-1 rout another landmark in the club's rapid rise under Fabregas.
How did a team playing in Serie D just seven years ago shatter the Champions League record for the biggest away victory?
Will Gianluigi Donnarumma's costly mistakes and Enzo Maresca's defensive warnings derail Manchester City's European ambitions despite their dramatic late win?
Does Alexander Isak's brutal assessment of Liverpool's sloppy collapse expose a deeper tactical vulnerability for elite clubs in this unpredictable tournament?
Como 9-1 Lens: How Cesc Fàbregas Engineered the Biggest Away Win in Champions League History and Transformed Italian Football
Overview
Como 1907’s stunning 9-1 away win over RC Lens on November 4, 2026, marked the largest away victory in UEFA Champions League history and propelled the Italian club to fourth place in the standings. This historic result capped a remarkable rise for Como, who had suffered insolvency in 2017 and restarted in Serie D before being acquired by SENT Entertainment in 2019. Massive capital injections totaling €328 million fueled their rapid ascent, enabling record transfer spending and culminating in Champions League qualification. Despite operating at a significant annual loss, Como’s bold investment and on-field success have redefined expectations for ambitious clubs in European football.