The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first legs featured standout performances from several players, highlighted in Mastercard's Priceless Moments of the Week. Goals and assists from Noa Lang, Anthony Gordon, Désiré Doué, Kasper Høgh, and Serhou Guirassy shaped dramatic victories across the ties. These moments underscored the intensity of the round on February 20, 2026.
The UEFA Champions League knockout phase play-off first legs produced memorable action, as captured in the Mastercard Priceless Moments of the Week. Published on UEFA.com, the feature spotlighted key contributions that defined the matches.
In Istanbul, Noa Lang marked his first goals for Galatasaray in a 5-2 comeback win over Juventus. Scoring in the 49th and 75th minutes, Lang equalized and then added a second, becoming the first player to net more than one goal in a single Champions League knockout match for the club. The victory was Galatasaray's biggest-ever in the competition's knockout phase.
Anthony Gordon dominated in Baku, netting four first-half goals as Newcastle United thrashed Qarabağ 6-1. His strikes came in the 3rd, 32nd (penalty), 33rd, and another penalty minute, making him Newcastle's all-time leading Champions League scorer with ten goals this season. Gordon joined Faustino Asprilla and Alan Shearer as Magpies hat-trick heroes in the tournament, achieving a rare feat matched only by Luiz Adriano in 2014.
Désiré Doué turned the tide for Paris against Monaco, substituting in the 27th minute and scoring twice in a 3-2 victory. His 29th-minute goal and a precise strike later sealed the comeback, bringing his season tally to four goals in five outings.
Kasper Høgh was pivotal in Bodø/Glimt's 3-1 home win over Inter, assisting the opener with a back-heel in the 30th minute and scoring himself later. "I feel amazing, just thankful to play with this team," said the Player of the Match. This marked Bodø/Glimt's third straight Champions League win, a first for a Norwegian side, and their debut victory against Inter in UEFA competitions.
Serhou Guirassy opened the scoring with a header in the 3rd minute and assisted the second in Borussia Dortmund's 2-0 defeat of Atalanta, both his fourth contributions of the campaign.
These performances highlighted the drama of the first legs, setting the stage for the return fixtures.
