Bayern and six-goal Madrid celebrate

FC Bayern München launched their bid to become the first UEFA Champions League winners to successfully defend the title as Real Madrid CF scored six of Tuesday's 30 goals, the most on an opening night since the current format began in 1999/2000.

Having scored the last, and decisive, goal of the 2012/13 competition, Bayern wasted no time getting the first of this season's through David Alaba's superb fourth-minute free-kick against PFC CSKA Moskva. Mario Mandžukić headed Josep Guardiola's side two up before the break and 2013 final hero Arjen Robben's cool volley sealed a 3-0 Group D win. Manchester City FC also showed their intention to make it out of a group after two failures with a 3-0 success at FC Viktoria Plzeň ahead of the visit of Bayern in a fortnight.

Manchester United FC gained victory as well, a 4-2 defeat of Bayern 04 Leverkusen at Old Trafford, Wayne Rooney's two goals bringing up his 200th for the Red Devils. Also in Group A, FC Shakhtar Donetsk won 2-0 at returning Real Sociedad de Fútbol through two from Alex Teixeira.

By contrast Real Madrid served notice of their ambition to land a tenth European Cup next May as they triumphed 6-1 at their 2012/13 quarter-final victims Galatasaray AŞ, with Cristiano Ronaldo claiming the campaign's first hat-trick. Juventus, however, were held 1-1 at FC København in the other Group B game.

Paris Saint-Germain FC were made to work by hosts Olympiacos FC but Thiago Motta headed in two Ezequiel Lavezzi corners, on 68 and 73 minutes, to set them on their way to a 4-1 Group C victory. SL Benfica, playing at their home stadium where they hope to lift the trophy on 24 May, beat RSC Anderlecht 2-0.

The next matches in these groups are on Wednesday 2 October. Groups E to H get under way tomorrow.

Group A
Manchester United FC 4-2 Bayer 04 Leverkusen
Real Sociedad de Fútbol 0-2 FC Shakhtar Donetsk

Group B
Galatasaray AŞ 1-6 Real Madrid CF
FC København 1-1 Juventus

Group C
SL Benfica 2-0 RSC Anderlecht
Olympiacos FC 1-4 Paris Saint-Germain FC

Group D
FC Bayern München 3-0 PFC CSKA Moskva
FC Viktoria Plzeň 0-3 Manchester City FC