Marc-Andre ter Stegen saved Marco Reus’ penalty as Barcelona held Borussia Dortmund to a goalless draw in their Champions League opener.
The Germany international also denied Reus with a smart double save as Dortmund dominated the second half.
Julian Brandt did beat Ter Stegen late on but his effort hit the bar.
Barcelona gave a Champions League debut to 16-year-old Ansu Fati but created little, despite Lionel Messi’s first appearance of the season off the bench.
Dortmund denied by inspired Ter Stegen
Signal Iduna Park is one of the most atmospheric stadiums in Europe and the Dortmund fans, complete with their famous ‘Yellow Wall’, gave the players a raucous welcome befitting of a Champions League final rather than a group game.
That noise only increased as the game wore on, as a vibrant and dynamic Dortmund side became increasingly dominant – but they will rue a man-of-the-match display by Barca goalkeeper Ter Stegen.
Jadon Sancho, who scored his first goals for England during the international break, again formed part of a trio alongside Reus and Thorgan Hazard just behind lone striker Paco Alcacer, who has scored in every game for club and country this season.
Hazard created the best chance of the first half when he went on mazy run from the left before playing in Reus, whose low effort was well blocked by the impressive Ter Stegen.
Twelve minutes into the second period, Sancho won Dortmund a penalty when Nelson Semedo trod on his foot as the 19-year-old turned smartly near the byeline.
Reus got a good contact on his spot-kick, but Ter Stegen dived full stretch to his left to palm the ball away before calmly claiming the rebound as the ball bounced near the goalline.
Lucien Favre’s side continued to pour forward, with Reus and Alcacer wasting good opportunities, but they could not find their way past an inspired Ter Stegen.
A draw against the five-time European champions is not normally considered a poor result, but the reaction of the Dortmund players at the final whistle suggests they saw this an opportunity missed.
Fati breaks another Barca record
Much of the focus at kick-off was understandably on Fati, who at 16 years 321 days became the youngest player to feature for Barcelona in the Champions League as well as the third youngest player in the competition as a whole.
No player on either side had more touches than Fati in the first 20 minutes, with Barcelona perhaps consciously giving him plenty of the ball to settle any early nerves.
He was not given such a warm welcome from Dortmund, with defender Mats Hummels unceremoniously barging him off the ball during the opening exchanges.
The forward grew in stature as the game wore on and certainly did not look out of place on this stage, swapping flanks with Antoine Griezmann and linking well with Luis Suarez. But Dortmund’s bright start to the second half saw him withdrawn for Messi.
The Argentine was making his first appearance of the season after recovering from a calf injury. But even his introduction could not alter the flow of the game, with Barcelona managing just one shot on target throughout the 90 minutes.
Instead it was goalkeeper Ter Stegen who came to the fore.
The 27-year-old was involved in a verbal spat with Germany team-mate Manuel Neuer during the international break after playing second fiddle to the Bayern Munich goalkeeper during his international career.
He certainly staked a claim for the Germany number one shirt here, with his stop to keep out Reus’ spot-kick meaning he has now saved four of the six penalties he has faced in the competition.
Man of the match – Marc-Andre ter Stegen
Dortmund’s scoreless run continues – the stats
- Borussia Dortmund have failed to score in five of their past six matches in the Champions League, having scored in 12 games in a row before this run.
- Barcelona have failed to score in their opening match of a Champions League campaign for the first time since 2009-10 against Inter Milan – their opponents won the competition that season.
- Barcelona are now unbeaten in their last 14 Champions League group stage matches against German sides (W11 D3), starting in October 2001 against Bayer Leverkusen.
- This was Borussia Dortmund manager Lucien Favre’s 10th game as manager in the Champions League – in all 10 matches, at least one side has kept a clean sheet.
- Ansu Fati (16y 321d) has become the first 16-year old to appear for Barcelona in Champions League history, overtaking Bojan (17y 22d) as their youngest player in the competition.
RUAN-Badkid.96 is a Nigerian recording artist whose music refuses to live inside a single genre. Blending Afrobeat, Afrofusion, trap, hip-hop, melodic rap, R&B, and global influences, he creates records that move effortlessly between raw street energy, soulful storytelling, and infectious melodies. Whether delivering hard-hitting bars, emotional love songs, or rhythm-driven African records, his sound is defined by authenticity rather than limitation.
Inspired by both African culture and international music, RUAN-Badkid.96 embraces the confidence and ambition of global hip-hop while staying deeply connected to his roots. His lyrics explore love, heartbreak, betrayal, friendship, social injustice, hope, and the everyday realities of life. He doesn’t create music to follow trends, he creates music to reflect truth, emotion, and human experience.
Behind his fearless image is an artist who believes in kindness, equality, justice, and genuine human connection. His appearance may be intimidating, but his message is rooted in compassion and authenticity. Every record carries a piece of his journey, proving that strength and vulnerability can exist in the same voice.
For RUAN-Badkid.96, music is more than entertainment, it’s a language, a testimony, and a lifelong mission to connect with people through honesty, versatility, and unforgettable sound.
Entertainment Gists
Meet the Man Who Turned Hype Into a Science: Emmy Blaq, Nigeria’s G.O.A.T. of Hype
If you have ever been at a Nigerian event and found yourself on your feet before the main act even stepped on stage, there is a good chance a hype man was responsible. But not just any hype man. Emmy Blaq, born Ikechukwu Emmanuel Chima and raised in Auchi, Edo State, has spent the last few years quietly becoming the most talked-about name in that profession, and the Nigerian press has taken notice. Punch, Vanguard, The Guardian Nigeria, The Nation, and Independent Newspaper have all sat down with him, and every conversation leads back to the same thing: this man does not just make noise; he makes moments.
What makes Emmy Blaq different is the journey behind the energy. Before the stages, the collaborations with Waje on her “Waje 2.0” album, DJ Consequence, and DJ Kaywise on the massively streamed “Joor Party Mix” series, he was repairing generators, cutting hair, and sewing clothes in Auchi. His first professional hype gig happened at a local fast food spot called Valchi, and the crowd response that night changed everything. He told The Nation directly: “My passion for entertainment and desire to make people happy led me into the craft.” Punch also captured his bigger mission when he said that hype men deserve more than what they currently earn, a statement that sparked a real conversation across Nigerian entertainment circles.
With over 1.7 million TikTok followers, 23.6 million TikTok likes, a viral “Wife Material” challenge that landed on Pulse Nigeria’s top ten social media moments of 2021, and an international performance at the Cameroon International Music Festival that Cameroonian media described as electrifying, Emmy Blaq is not building toward something. He is already there. The G.O.A.T. of Hype is not a title he gave himself and hoped would stick. It is one the rooms keep confirming every single time he grabs the mic.
MANAGER PROFILE
Uncle Wisdom is a Lagos-based music executive and visionary leader known for blending structure, strategy, and creativity in artist management. With a background in Mathematics and Statistics from UNICROSS formerly, Cross River University Of Technology. He brings analytical precision into talent development, positioning artists for both creative excellence and commercial success.
CAREER JOURNEY
Began his career in 2017 as an event coordinator for Eksu Olofofo, where he gained foundational experience in live events and audience engagement. By 2018, he transitioned into full-time artist management, driven by a clear goal to build a more structured and results-oriented system within the music industry.
In 2019, Started working as a road manager for Barry Jhay, gaining hands-on experience in touring, logistics, and artist operations, a refined career and mental awareness coach . He was also instrumental behind Barry Jhay’s 2025 sold-out homecoming concert, a key moment that fueled momentum for a successful UK tour, including sold-out shows in London and Birmingham.
PHLOX MGMT
Founded from the ground up, Phlox Mgmt is a forward-thinking management company focused on Career coaching, A&R, artist development, and strategic positioning. The company is built on a clear philosophy:
Develop the sound. Define the brand. Position the artist to win.
Phlox Mgmt has connections with @Roadgod_of Roadgod Agency and connects artists with top-tier producers, engineers, and creatives, ensuring a refined sound and strong market presence. The company continues to grow as a trusted platform for emerging and established talent.
INDUSTRY NETWORK & COLLABORATIONS
Uncle Wisdom has built valuable relationships across the industry, working with and alongside talents such as:
Barry Jhay • Asake • Ceeza Milli • Berri Tiga • Laime • Spellz • and many others
LEADERSHIP APPROACH
John Wisdom operates with a long-term vision, focusing on structure, consistency, and execution. His approach goes beyond traditional management he builds systems around artists that support sustainable growth, strong branding, and global competitiveness.
CONTACT & SOCIALS
Instagram & X: @Johnwisdm @phlox_mgmt
TikTok: @unclewisdom7
Email: phloxentertainment@gmail.com
Phone: 08038448478 | 09015668027
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