Watch: Top goals from opening day of the Champions League group stage

The opening day of the Champions League featured eight games taking place simultaneously across Europe. In all, 23 goals were scored in these contests. Here are a few of the best.

Gareth Bale helped get Real Madrid's Champions League title defense rolling, scoring a nice, looping finish in the first half. 

That made the score 2-0, and it ended up being the winner. However, Benzema brought the scoreline to "emphatic" territory after some ping-pong interplay with Cristiano Ronaldo in the 79th minute. 

In Germany, Borussia Dortmund more or less manhandled Arsenal throughout the first half, but had nothing to show for it until new signing Ciro Immobile hit the back of the net on this fine solo effort. Dortmund would go on to win 2-0. 

Monaco has had to deal with the departures of James Rodriguez to Real Madrid and RadamelFalcao to Manchester United this season. But that's OK, because they still have DimitarBerbatov. No, seriously. Check out the delicate headed assist he provided for Joao Moutinho's goal against Bayer Leverkusen.

Speaking of classy assists, Kwadwo Asamoah had a pretty nice one for Carlos Tevez's first for Juventus against Malmo...

…but Tevez needed no such assistance to curl in a beauty of a free kick to seal the win later on. 

Last but certainly not least, Mario Balotelli got off the mark for Liverpool, scoring his first goal for the club late in a cagey, scoreless match at home against Bulgarian side Ludogorets. 

That was just the beginning of an incredible finish. A defensive breakdown gave the minnows an equalizer just minutes later. 

…only for another defensive breakdown to give Liverpool a penalty kick, and the win. 

Welcome back, Champions League. We missed you.