Como put nine past Lens to match Champions League record

Como produced a stunning away performance as they put nine goals past a hapless Lens side to match the record for most scored by a team in a Champions League game.

The Italian side equalled Bayern Munich's tally against Dinamo Zagreb in 2024 as a remarkable debut European campaign for the Cesc Fabregas' team continued in France.

Having thumped RB Leipzig and Manchester United either side of a narrow defeat by Feyenoord, Como's most staggering result yet lifted them up to fourth in the league phase table.

Tasos Douvikas struck twice from close range to put the visitors in control, before Tenerife-born Nico Paz smashed in the third goal and displayed a T-shirt paying tribute to Tenerife striker Jesus de Miguel, who died after a suffering a serious injury during an on-pitch collision.

With Lens already well beaten, Como were ruthless and captain Lucas da Cunha made it four less than two minutes into the second half.

Marc-Oliver Kempf headed in the fifth on 53 minutes, before Paz played in Douvikas to calmly slot home to complete his hat-trick.

Substitute Mattia Liberali ran clear to stab in the seventh after 62 minutes and with so long left, the prospect of matching or even going past Bayern's record seemed extremely plausible.

Lens, though, managed to pull one back through Ruben Aguilar's smart volley from a corner.

But Como kept going and Martin Baturina burst through an increasingly disinterested defence to make it eight with more than 20 minutes remaining.

With time running out, they claimed the ninth goal in stoppage time when 18-year-old Matteo Papaccioli was played in and finished calmly.

The goal was initially ruled out for offside but a video assistant referee (VAR) check showed he had timed his run to perfection to spark yet more celebrations on a scarcely believable night for his side.

While the Italians have a share of the record for most goals in the Champions League era, Feyenoord hold the European Cup mark having beaten Icelandic side KR 12-2 in September 1969.

Como did, though, enjoy the biggest away win in Champions League history.