Soccer's main characters after UCL Matchday 3: Kane, Van Dijk, El Clasico

Champions League Matchday 3 delivered a goal feast — 74 goals across 18 matches — and five teams kept perfect records. ESPN's Bill Connelly has picked out the five main characters emerging from the midweek action.

First, Harry Kane. The Bayern Munich striker looks set to be named Ballon d'Or winner on Monday after a year that brought three trophies, another England run to the World Cup semifinals and 73 goals. He underlined his case in Bayern's 2-2 draw with Arsenal, winning and converting a penalty and teeing up Alphonso Davies' goal with a sumptuous long pass. He would be the first English winner since Michael Owen in 2001.

Second, Vitinha. PSG's midfield conductor was again the hinge in their 4-2 statement win over Barcelona, the round's most eye-catching result.

Third, Virgil van Dijk. The Liverpool captain committed one of the worst errors of his Anfield career to gift Villarreal an early opener, but the Reds roared back from 2-0 down to win 4-3, with Rio Ngumoha starring and Florian Wirtz netting the winner. Liverpool have now scored 12 goals in their last three matches.

Fourth, Sasa Kalajdzic and the first-timers. Newcomers LASK wrote a chapter of club history in midweek, with the Austrian striker — who has battled back from three ACL tears — among the round's feel-good stories.

Finally, El Clasico itself. Real Madrid thrashed RB Leipzig 4-1 behind goals from Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Yan Diomande, and arrive at Sunday's showdown with Barcelona (4 p.m. ET, ABC) having scored 33 goals in 12 matches this season.