Italian club Como 1907 have equalled the largest winning margin in UEFA Champions League history after demolishing French side RC Lens 9–1 on Wednesday, November 4, in an extraordinary performance that also established a new record for the competition’s biggest away victory.
Tasos Douvikas scored a hat-trick as Cesc Fàbregas’ side overwhelmed Lens at the Stade Bollaert-Delelis, recording an eight-goal winning margin that matched previous achievements by Liverpool and Real Madrid.
The result also made Como only the second club to score nine goals in a Champions League match, following Bayern Munich’s 9–2 victory over Dinamo Zagreb in September 2024.
For a club making its Champions League debut this season, the achievement marks a remarkable moment in its European development.
Como climbed to fourth place in the league-phase standings after four matches, strengthening their position midway through the competition’s opening stage.
Como Overwhelm Lens in Extraordinary European Performance
Como established their advantage early in France.
Greek striker Douvikas opened the scoring in the seventh minute before doubling the visitors’ lead in the 32nd.
Nico Paz added a third five minutes before halftime, leaving Lens facing a difficult recovery.
The situation deteriorated rapidly after the interval.
Lucas Da Cunha scored in the 47th minute, and Marc-Oliver Kempf made it 5–0 seven minutes later.
Douvikas completed his hat-trick in the 57th minute before Mattia Liberali added a seventh in the 62nd.
By that stage, Como had scored seven goals without reply.
Ruben Aguilar eventually reduced the deficit for Lens in the 67th minute.
However, the French club’s response did little to interrupt Como’s remarkable scoring sequence.
Martin Baturina made it 8–1 two minutes later.
In stoppage time, 18-year-old academy graduate Matteo Papaccioli completed the scoring, registering his first European goal and securing Como’s ninth.
The result left Lens with one of the heaviest defeats in Champions League history.
Como Join Liverpool and Real Madrid in Record Books
The eight-goal winning margin equalled the competition record established by Liverpool against Beşiktaş in November 2007.
Real Madrid subsequently matched that achievement with an 8–0 victory over Malmö in December 2015.
Como have now joined those clubs in an exclusive category.
Largest Winning Margins in Champions League History
| Club | Opponent | Result | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Liverpool | Beşiktaş | 8–0 | 2007 |
| Real Madrid | Malmö | 8–0 | 2015 |
| Como | Lens | 9–1 | 2026 |
However, Como’s achievement carries an additional distinction.
While Liverpool and Real Madrid recorded their victories at home, Como produced their eight-goal winning margin away from home.
That makes Wednesday’s result the largest away victory in Champions League history.
Como also matched the record for the most goals scored by one team in a Champions League match.
Bayern Munich established that benchmark with their 9–2 defeat of Dinamo Zagreb in September 2024.
The German side won by seven goals.
Como scored the same number but conceded one fewer, producing an eight-goal margin.
The distinction means Como equalled the overall winning-margin record while establishing a new record for the biggest away victory.
Douvikas Leads Seven-Player Goalscoring Performance
Douvikas was the outstanding individual performer.
The Greek forward scored three times and received UEFA’s Player of the Match award.
His hat-trick increased his Champions League tally to six goals after Matchday Four, placing him at the top of the competition’s scoring chart at that stage.
However, Como’s attacking performance extended well beyond their centre-forward.
Six other players contributed goals.
Nico Paz, Da Cunha, Kempf, Liberali, Baturina and Papaccioli each scored once.
The seven-player goalscoring contribution demonstrated the breadth of Como’s attacking productivity.
Papaccioli’s achievement was particularly notable.
The 18-year-old academy graduate made his European debut during the second half before scoring in stoppage time.
His goal completed the record-equalling victory and provided a memorable personal milestone.
Fàbregas’ Como Continue Remarkable European Emergence
Wednesday’s victory was the latest development in Como’s impressive introduction to Champions League football.
The Italian club began their campaign with a 4–1 victory against RB Leipzig.
They subsequently lost 3–2 away to Feyenoord before recovering with another 4–1 victory against Manchester United.
Their demolition of Lens has now taken their record to three victories and one defeat from four matches.
Como’s Champions League Record
| Statistic | Total |
|---|---|
| Matches played | 4 |
| Wins | 3 |
| Defeats | 1 |
| Goals scored | 19 |
| Goals conceded | 6 |
| Goal difference | +13 |
| Points | 9 |
The figures illustrate the scale of Como’s attacking production.
They have scored four or more goals in three of their opening four Champions League matches.
For Fàbregas, the challenge will now be maintaining that performance level against different opponents as the campaign progresses.
The former Arsenal, Barcelona and Chelsea midfielder has overseen a significant European achievement.
However, the team’s position midway through the league phase remains only part of the qualification picture.
Lens Face Mounting European Pressure
For Lens, the defeat deepens a difficult Champions League campaign.
The French club opened with a 3–2 victory against Slavia Prague before losing 2–0 to Sporting CP and 3–0 to Club Brugge.
Como’s nine-goal performance extended their losing sequence to three matches.
After four fixtures, Lens have collected three points.
They have scored four goals and conceded 16, producing a goal difference of minus 12.
The result against Como represents the most damaging setback of that sequence.
The scale of the defeat raises legitimate questions about Lens’ defensive performances, although identifying the precise tactical causes requires detailed match analysis.
The immediate statistical implications are clear.
Lens must improve both their results and defensive record if they are to revive their qualification prospects.
What the Result Means for Champions League Qualification
Como’s nine points place them fourth after Matchday Four.
Under the competition’s league-phase format, the top eight clubs qualify directly for the round of 16.
Teams finishing between ninth and 24th enter the knockout phase play-offs.
Como’s current position therefore provides a strong foundation.
Their +13 goal difference could also become significant if clubs finish level on points.
However, four league-phase fixtures remain, and the standings could change substantially before January.
Como’s next scheduled Champions League match is against AEK Athens on November 24.
Their challenge will be converting an impressive start into a favourable final league position.
A Historic Achievement, but the Campaign Continues
Como’s victory will remain one of the defining results of the 2026/27 Champions League season.
The Italian club have equalled the competition’s biggest winning margin, established its largest away victory and matched the record for goals scored by one team in a single match.
Those achievements are extraordinary for a club participating in its first Champions League campaign.
But record-breaking performances do not automatically guarantee future success.
Como must now demonstrate that their attacking quality and competitive resilience can be sustained over the remaining fixtures.
For Fàbregas and his players, the challenge is to turn a remarkable European night into lasting progress.
Como arrived in France seeking three Champions League points. They departed with nine goals, an eight-goal winning margin and a permanent place in the competition’s record books.