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Champions League round-up: Renato Sanches back on song at Bayern Munich as he forgets all about Swansea nightmare

Portuguese midfielder endured a torrid loan spell at the Liberty Stadium last season, but scored tonight for Bayern against his old club Benfica

RENATO SANCHES netted against his former club but refused to celebrate as Bayern Munich eased to a 2-0 away win at Benfica.

Many might have expected the German to cut their losses with the Portuguese international after his horror spell on loan at Swansea last season.

 Renato Sanches has got the smile back on his face now after a horror spell last season at Swansea
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Renato Sanches has got the smile back on his face now after a horror spell last season at SwanseaCredit: Getty Images - Getty

But he started the game in his old stomping ground, and got on the end of James Rodriguez’ ball to put his side 2-0 up.

Earlier the Bundesliga champs had taken the lead at the Estadio da Luz when lethal Robert Lewandowski slotted home after good play down the flank from David Alaba.

Viktoria Plzen were two goals to the good at half-time in their Group G clash against CSKA Moscow - but were dealt the cruellest of blows at the death.

Michael Krmencik scored twice as he put the Czech outfit firmly in the driving seat.

Cristiano Ronaldo in tears as he is SENT OFF on Champions League debut for Juventus
 Robert Lewandowski started the ball rolling with a trademark finish
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Robert Lewandowski started the ball rolling with a trademark finishCredit: AP:Associated Press
 Bayern Munich proved too strong for their Portuguese opponents in their Champions League opener
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Bayern Munich proved too strong for their Portuguese opponents in their Champions League openerCredit: Getty Images - Getty
Bayern Munich fans arrive in good form at Estádio da Luz for Champions League Group E clash with Benfica

But Fedor Chalev made it a game again just four minutes into the second half with a smart finish from inside the box.

And in the fifth minute on second half injury time Mario Fernandes was fouled in the penalty area, and up stepped Everton loanee Nikola Vlasic to secure a dramatic share of the spoils.

In the other game in Man City's group, Hoffenheim came within nine minutes of winning on their Champions League debut.

But Shakhtar Donetsk broke the tiny German town's hearts by squaring their game up at 2-2 late on, which is how it finished.

 Everton loan star Nikola Vlasic stepped up to secure a dramatic equaliser for CSKA Moscow
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Everton loan star Nikola Vlasic stepped up to secure a dramatic equaliser for CSKA MoscowCredit: Reuters
Hoffenheim stars including warm-up for Champions League clash with Shakhtar Donetsk as Arsenal prodigy Reiss Nelson is on the bench

The youngest coach in Champions League history at 31, Julian Nagelsmann, had to wait just six minutes to see his team score a first Champions League goal as Julian Grillitsch put Hoffenheim 1-0 up.

But Shakhtar responded with a solo effort from Ismaily in the 27th.

Defender Havard Nordveidt, once of West Ham, restored Hoffenheim's lead with a header in the 38th after a corner. However, Maycon's long-range shot in the 81st minute meant the teams shared the points in Group F.

Defender Nicolas Tagliafico scored twice as Ajax celebrated its return to Champions League football with an emphatic 3-0 victory over AEK Athens at the recently renamed Johan Cruyff Arena.

After dominating possession but failing to score in the first half, Argentina defender Tagliafico broke the deadlock just after the break and made it 3-0 in the 90th minute with an effort from an acute angle on the left that sailed over AEK goalkeeper Vassilis Barkas and into the goal.

In between, substitute Donny van de Beek doubled Ajax's lead with a powerful close-range volley in the 77th.

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