Como delivered a sensational performance in France, scoring nine goals against Lens in a historic Champions League victory. Cesc Fabregas’ side continued their remarkable European campaign with another statement result.
The Italian club matched Bayern Munich’s Champions League scoring record, having previously beaten RB Leipzig and Manchester United. Moreover, their latest triumph demonstrated how quickly Como have developed into one of Europe’s most exciting teams.
Como Match Bayern Munich’s Champions League Scoring Record
Como equalled the record for most goals scored by a team in a Champions League match. Bayern Munich (1.11) previously achieved the same feat against Dinamo Zagreb in 2024. However, Fabregas’ side went one step further by recording the biggest away victory in the competition’s history. Their 9-1 triumph also continued an extraordinary debut European campaign.
The result lifted Como into fourth place in the league phase standings. They have already beaten RB Leipzig and Manchester United this season. Although they suffered a narrow defeat against Feyenoord, their overall performances have been exceptional. Consequently, Como are emerging as genuine contenders to make a deep European run.
Como Set Several European Soccer Records
Although Como matched Bayern Munich’s Champions League record, another club still holds the European Cup scoring record. Feyenoord scored 12 goals against Icelandic side KR in September 1969. That extraordinary result remains the highest-scoring performance in the competition’s wider history.
Nevertheless, Como achieved something unprecedented with their performance against Lens. Their nine goals represented the biggest away victory in Champions League history. Furthermore, they became only the third team to win a match by an eight-goal margin since the competition’s inception.
Liverpool and Real Madrid previously achieved the same winning margin. Liverpool defeated Besiktas 8-0, while Real Madrid recorded an identical victory against Malmo. However, both teams accomplished those feats on home soil. Como therefore established a new benchmark for away performances.
The Italian side also became the first team to score nine goals away from home in a European Cup match since 1971. Feyenoord previously achieved that milestone against Olympiakos Nicosia. Their 9-0 victory came in September of that year. As a result, Como’s achievement carries significance beyond the modern Champions League era.
Their attacking output has also been remarkable across the opening four matches. No team has scored more than Como’s 19 goals in its first four European competition fixtures. Queen’s Park Rangers matched that tally during the 1976-77 UEFA Cup campaign. Consequently, Fabregas’ players are producing numbers rarely seen in European soccer.
Como’s Remarkable Rise From Italy’s Fourth Division
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of Como’s success is the club’s recent history. They were competing in Serie D as recently as the 2018-19 season. That division represents the fourth tier of Italian soccer. Their subsequent rise through the divisions has been extraordinary.
A major takeover transformed the club’s financial position and ambitions. London-based media company Sent Entertainment acquired Como in 2019. The company was owned by Indonesian billionaires Robert Budi Hartono and Michael Bambang Hartono. Their involvement eventually helped establish the foundations for the club’s remarkable development.
Interestingly, the original takeover had a different objective. The Hartono brothers initially planned to develop a television project involving young Indonesian players. They wanted to screen matches featuring those players back home. However, Como’s unexpected promotion changed the direction of the project.
Chief executive Mirwan Suwarso explained the situation during an October appearance on Piers Morgan’s Football Uncensored Podcast. He revealed that the club’s sporting progress forced the owners to reconsider their plans. “Somehow the team got promoted, we had to go professional, and the plan had to be scrapped,” Suwarso said.
Even with substantial financial backing, Como’s progress has exceeded expectations. Wealth alone does not guarantee success in professional soccer. Recruitment, coaching and long-term planning have all played important roles. Therefore, their achievements cannot simply be attributed to the resources available to the owners.
How Como Scored Nine Goals Against Lens
Como established control early in the match against Lens. Greece international Tasos Douvikas opened the scoring in the seventh minute. The forward subsequently scored twice more to complete his hat-trick. His early contribution immediately put the visitors in a commanding position.
Nico Paz extended Como’s advantage before half-time. The Tenerife-born Argentine produced an emphatic finish to score their third goal. He also celebrated by revealing a T-shirt dedicated to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel. De Miguel died after suffering a serious injury during an on-pitch collision.
The visitors continued their dominance after the interval. Captain Lucas da Cunha scored their fourth goal less than two minutes into the second half. Marc-Oliver Kempf then headed home in the 53rd minute. Consequently, Lens found themselves facing an increasingly embarrassing defeat.
Paz subsequently provided the assist for Douvikas’ third goal. The Argentine played an excellent pass into the forward’s path. Douvikas remained composed before slotting the ball into the net. His hat-trick made it six goals for Como and left Lens with little hope of recovering.
Substitute Mattia Liberali added the seventh goal in the 62nd minute. He ran through on goal before stabbing the ball into the net. With considerable time remaining, Como appeared capable of matching or surpassing Bayern Munich’s record. Their relentless attacking approach continued to cause problems for the hosts.
Lens eventually managed to find a consolation goal. Ruben Aguilar produced a sweetly struck volley from a corner. However, the goal did little to change the overall picture. Como remained firmly in control and continued searching for further opportunities.
Martin Baturina restored the visitors’ eight-goal advantage with more than 20 minutes remaining. He burst through an increasingly disorganised Lens defence before finding the net. The goal made it 8-1 and brought Como closer to another historic achievement. Nevertheless, the visitors were not finished.
The ninth goal finally arrived during stoppage time. Eighteen-year-old Matteo Papaccioli received the ball in a promising position. He kept his composure and finished confidently to complete Como’s extraordinary scoring performance. Initially, the assistant referee ruled out the goal for offside.
However, a VAR review overturned that decision. The replay showed Papaccioli had timed his run perfectly. His goal was subsequently awarded, sparking further celebrations among the travelling players. It provided a fitting conclusion to one of the most remarkable nights in Como’s history.
Fabregas’ Como Continue to Surprise Europe
Como’s victory against Lens represents another significant milestone in their rapid development. Their attacking performances have already attracted attention across the continent and among online sports betting enthusiasts. Furthermore, matching Bayern Munich’s Champions League record confirms their ability to compete with established European sides.
Fabregas has assembled a young squad with considerable potential. His recruitment strategy appears focused on players who can improve together. That approach could prove particularly valuable as Como gain more experience in European competition.
Nevertheless, maintaining this level of performance will present a different challenge. Their opponents will increasingly prepare specifically for Como’s attacking strengths. The Italian side must therefore demonstrate consistency throughout the remainder of the campaign.
For now, their historic victory provides another reason for optimism. Como have travelled an extraordinary distance since their days in Serie D. Their nine-goal demolition of Lens suggests their European adventure could have plenty more memorable chapters.
