Arsenal began their UEFA Champions League campaign with a hard-earned 1-0 victory over Napoli in Naples on Wednesday, with captain Martin Ødegaard producing the decisive moment to break the hosts’ resistance.

The Premier League champions controlled much of the contest but were repeatedly frustrated by Napoli goalkeeper Alex Meret and their own finishing. Ødegaard finally settled the match in the 75th minute, firing a powerful effort from the edge of the box that struck the post before finding the net.

The victory gives Mikel Arteta’s side three points at the start of the league phase and extends Arsenal’s perfect opening to the new season.

Ødegaard Delivers When Arsenal Need Him Most

Arsenal had created several opportunities before Ødegaard stepped forward.

The Norwegian midfielder, who had also scored the winner against Chelsea three days earlier, received the ball outside the penalty area before unleashing a fierce shot.

The effort flew beyond the goalkeeper, clipped the post and went in, giving Arsenal the breakthrough they had been chasing for much of the evening.

It was another important contribution from the Arsenal captain during a strong start to the campaign.

Arsenal Dominate but Struggle in Front of Goal

Arsenal had the greater share of possession and territory but could not convert their control into an early goal.

Mikel Merino came closest in the first half when his header from inside the area was pushed over the crossbar by Meret.

Bukayo Saka then missed an even bigger opportunity. Played through with a clear route towards goal, the England winger lifted his finish over the bar.

Ben White and Piero Hincapié also had chances as Arsenal repeatedly tested Napoli’s defensive shape.

Napoli Threaten on the Counter

Although Napoli spent long periods defending, Massimiliano Allegri’s side remained dangerous whenever they broke forward.

Kevin De Bruyne and Matteo Politano both forced saves from Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya during the first half.

Rasmus Højlund also provided Napoli with an outlet through his hold-up play, allowing the hosts to occasionally bypass Arsenal’s pressure and attack in transition.

Napoli had entered the match after a 3-2 defeat against Inter Milan, and injuries to Scott McTominay and André-Frank Zambo Anguissa had already forced Allegri to make changes to his midfield.

Goalkeeper Injury Adds to Napoli’s Problems

Napoli suffered another setback at half-time when Meret was unable to continue.

Vanja Milinković-Savić replaced him between the posts, but Arsenal continued to create opportunities after the restart.

Hincapié had a particularly good chance from close range but lifted his effort over the target.

Despite their territorial dominance, Arsenal had to remain patient before finally finding a way through.

Late Drama Keeps Arsenal on Edge

The Gunners could have made the final stages more comfortable.

With five minutes remaining, substitute Noni Madueke saw his effort blocked by Milinković-Savić, while Christos Tzolis also had a follow-up attempt stopped on the line.

Napoli almost punished Arsenal moments later when De Bruyne found space inside the penalty area. Instead of shooting, the Belgian attempted to square the ball across the six-yard box, but no teammate was able to convert.

Arsenal then thought they had doubled their advantage in stoppage time when Kai Havertz followed up a save by Milinković-Savić. The goal was ruled out for offside.

Arsenal Make Strong European Start

The result continues an impressive beginning to Arsenal’s season.

Arteta’s team have now won their opening three Premier League matches and followed that run with a valuable European victory away from home.

The result is particularly significant after Arsenal lost last season’s Champions League final to Paris Saint-Germain on penalties.

Arsenal’s next Champions League fixture is scheduled at home against Lille on October 13, while Napoli will travel to Villarreal looking to recover from back-to-back defeats.

For Arsenal, however, the immediate takeaway is clear: they may not have produced their most fluent attacking performance, but Ødegaard’s moment of quality was enough to secure three important points on the road.

Played before a packed crowd, the contest delivered goals, attacking football and individual brilliance from both sides. Although neither team reached the final, the playoff carried significant importance as two of the tournament's strongest squads looked to finish their campaigns with a victory.

England took control early by moving the ball quickly through midfield and creating consistent pressure in the attacking third. Saka rewarded that dominance with his first goal before adding two more during the match to complete the first World Cup hat-trick of his international career. His pace, movement and finishing proved too much for the French defence throughout the contest.

The performance also highlighted England's attacking depth, with support from the midfield and wide areas allowing Saka to exploit spaces behind the French backline. The victory provided a positive ending for England after narrowly missing out on a place in the World Cup final.

France, however, continued to threaten whenever Kylian Mbappe was on the ball. The captain once again demonstrated why he remains one of the world's most dangerous forwards by finding the net and adding to his tournament tally. His goal further strengthened his position in the race for the Golden Boot, capping another outstanding individual World Cup campaign despite the disappointing team result.

Mbappe's pace and direct running created several opportunities for France, but England's defence recovered well after conceding and managed to limit further damage during key phases of the match.

The third-place playoff also offered both managers an opportunity to assess squad depth ahead of future international competitions. Several players delivered encouraging performances, while experienced campaigners ensured the game maintained its competitive intensity despite the disappointment of missing the final.

England's success reflected the progress the side has made during the tournament. The team combined defensive discipline with an effective attacking approach, producing several entertaining performances on the way to the semi-finals before falling short against stronger opposition.

For France, the defeat marked a disappointing conclusion to another deep World Cup run. Nevertheless, the squad leaves the tournament with several positives, including Mbappe's exceptional scoring record and the emergence of young players who are expected to remain central to the national team in the coming years.

As attention now shifts to the FIFA World Cup 2026 final between Argentina and Spain, England will take satisfaction from finishing third, while France will look back at missed opportunities despite possessing one of the tournament's most dangerous attacking line-ups.

England's victory ensures they return home with a medal and renewed confidence, whereas France will begin preparations for the next international cycle with the objective of once again challenging for football's biggest prize.