Como made Champions League history on Wednesday night with a stunning 9-1 victory at Lens, equalling the record for the biggest winning margin in the competition's history. Cesc Fabregas' side, playing in the tournament for the first time, continued their remarkable European run with a dominant display on French soil.
Record-Equalling Triumph
Liverpool's 8-0 win over Besiktas in 2007 and Real Madrid's 8-0 victory over Malmo in 2015 were previously the largest winning margins in Champions League history. Como have now joined that list, but unlike those sides, they achieved the feat away from home.
The Italian team were 3-0 up at half-time, with Anastasios Douvikas scoring two of those goals. He completed his hat-trick in the second half as Como added six more goals, with Nico Paz and Lucas Da Cunha among the scorers as seven different players found the net.
Strong League Phase Campaign
Como have won three of their four games to sit fourth in the league phase at the halfway stage, above the likes of Barcelona, Manchester City, Liverpool and Bayern Munich. The win comes just weeks after they hammered Manchester United 4-1.
Fabregas claimed after that victory over the Red Devils that he regretted telling his side to ease off despite being so dominant. "I have some regrets over the last 10 minutes maybe," the Spaniard said. "I was actually saying to the team to 'slow the tempo, because we have another game coming up'."
What's Next for Como
Como, who sit fourth in Serie A, will play AEK Athens and Real Betis before the year is out, by which time they may have secured their passage into the knockout stages. Their final two games come against PSG and Barcelona.
Como's 19 goals in four Champions League games is second only to holders PSG, who have scored 20 times so far in Europe.
