Como produced one of the most extraordinary performances in UEFA Champions League history after demolishing French side Lens 9-1 away from home to equal the competition’s record for most goals scored by a team in a single match.
The emphatic victory also established a new benchmark for the biggest away win in Champions League history, underlining the remarkable progress made by Cesc Fàbregas’ side in their debut European campaign.
The Italian club matched Bayern Munich’s nine-goal achievement against Dinamo Zagreb in 2024, while extending their impressive run following victories over RB Leipzig and Manchester United. Their only defeat in that sequence came against Feyenoord.
Como’s attacking dominance was evident from the opening stages, with Tasos Douvikas scoring twice to give the visitors early control before Nico Paz extended the advantage to 3-0.
Paz’s celebration carried an emotional message as he paid tribute to Tenerife striker Jesús de Miguel, who died after sustaining a serious injury during an on-field collision.
The visitors resumed their assault immediately after the interval, with captain Lucas da Cunha making it 4-0 less than two minutes into the second half.
Marc-Oliver Kempf added the fifth in the 53rd minute before Douvikas completed his hat-trick, assisted by Paz.
Substitute Mattia Liberali subsequently increased the tally to seven in the 62nd minute, finishing from close range after racing through on goal.
Lens briefly restored some pride when Ruben Aguilar volleyed home from a corner, but Como refused to ease off.
Martin Baturina scored the eighth before 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli completed the nine-goal rout in stoppage time.
Papaccioli’s initial effort was disallowed for offside, but a VAR review overturned the decision, confirming that the teenager had timed his run correctly.
The result moved Como into fourth position in the Champions League league-phase standings, further strengthening their credentials as one of the competition’s surprise performers.
Although Como and Bayern Munich now share the record for the most goals scored by a team in a single Champions League match, Feyenoord remain holders of the biggest victory in European Cup history.
The Dutch side achieved that distinction in September 1969 with a 12-2 demolition of Icelandic club KR Reykjavik.
