Como Routs Lens 9-1 in Champions League as Nico Paz Pays Tribute to Late Striker

OPA WIRE, Nov 5 (OPA) — Como delivered a historic European performance on Wednesday night, thrashing Lens 9-1 away from home in the Champions League. Playmaker Nico Paz scored his side's third goal in the first half and celebrated by displaying a shirt bearing a picture of Jesus de Miguel and the caption 'Rest in peace.' De Miguel, a Tenerife striker and former youth teammate of Paz, passed away on Tuesday morning following a collision with Andorra goalkeeper Jesus Owono during a Spanish second division match.

Anastasios Douvikas spearheaded the Italian side's attack by completing a hat-trick during a devastating 22-minute spell after halftime. Lucas Da Cunha, Marc-Oliver Kempf, Mattia Liberali, Martin Baturina, and 18-year-old youth product Matteo Papaccioli also added to the scoreline, alongside Ruben Aguilar's consolation goal for the hosts. 'Today everything went our way,' said Como manager Cesc Fabregas after the match. 'A great night for Como and our fans.'

The emphatic victory propelled Como to fourth in the Champions League standings with nine points following an earlier 4-1 win over Manchester United. The Serie A outfit equaled the eight-goal winning margins recorded by Liverpool and Real Madrid, while becoming only the second team after Bayern Munich to net nine goals in a single Champions League fixture. Furthermore, it marked the first time an away club scored nine goals in the European Cup since Feyenoord defeated Olympiacos Nicosia in 1971.

Lens suffered the heaviest defeat ever recorded by a French club in the competition, leaving them 33rd in the standings with three points. Meanwhile, police have opened a homicide investigation into the tragic death of De Miguel, following the fatal collision with goalkeeper Jesus Owono during Monday's fixture in Spain. Como will look to maintain their record-breaking continental momentum when domestic and European schedules resume.