Manchester City executed an exciting comeback against Club Brugge, securing their spot in the Champions League knockout stage alongside Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Arsenal, who qualified directly for the last 16.
On Wednesday, the final round of league-phase matches also saw Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, Lille, and Aston Villa clinch top-eight finishes, allowing them to bypass the new play-off round. Liverpool and Barcelona had already secured their spots earlier.
Amidst a night of drama, only two out of the 18 matches were without stakes. Manchester City, the current Premier League champions, shook off a shaky beginning to secure a 3-1 victory over Club Brugge, guaranteeing their advancement. Next month, City will compete against either the defending champions, Real Madrid, or Bayern Munich in a crucial playoff match.
City manager Pep Guardiola expressed relief after the match, telling TNT Sports, “In the second half, we lifted our soul, and our hearts were free. For today, we are in the next round, and that’s good.”
PSG and Arsenal Shine
PSG, who defeated Manchester City 4-2 last week, delivered a dominant performance with a 4-1 victory over Stuttgart. Meanwhile, Arsenal secured their last-16 berth with a 2-1 win at Girona, thanks to goals from Jorginho and Ethan Nwaneri. Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta highlighted the growing belief within the squad, stating, “Hopefully, there’s more belief in that dressing room that we are a good team and can face anyone and still perform and win games.”
Other Key Champions League Results
- Inter Milan finished fourth in the standings after a 3-0 win over 10-man Monaco.
- Atletico Madrid extended their winning streak to five matches with a 4-1 thrashing of Salzburg.
- Bayer Leverkusen secured their spot with a 2-0 victory over Sparta Prague.
- Lille emerged as the only French team in the top eight after a 6-1 demolition of Feyenoord.
- Aston Villa marked their first appearance in the competition in 42 years by clinching eighth place, with Morgan Rogers’ hat-trick sealing a 4-2 win over Celtic.
Champions League Play-Off Draw and Format
The new 36-team Champions League format added significant tension, but all the favoured teams finished within the top 24 to remain in the competition. The play-off draw on Friday will feature teams like PSV Eindhoven, Benfica, Monaco, Brest, Feyenoord, Juventus, Celtic, Sporting Lisbon, and Club Brugge.
Dramatic Moments for Manchester City
Manchester City faced a potential crisis when Raphael Onyedika’s strike put Club Brugge ahead just before halftime. However, Mateo Kovacic’s equalizer and Joel Ordonez’s own goal turned the tide in City’s favour. Savinho’s late strike sealed the 3-1 victory, ensuring Guardiola avoided his earliest exit from the competition. Despite the loss, Club Brugge clung to the final playoff spot and will face either Atalanta or Borussia Dortmund next.
PSG’s Dominance and Dembele’s Heroics
PSG’s Bradley Barcola and Ousmane Dembele were instrumental in their 4-1 triumph over Stuttgart. Dembele, who starred as a substitute against Manchester City, completed a hat-trick, further solidifying PSG’s place in the knockout stage for the 13th consecutive season. “We’ve been doing very well for some time now, playing well, controlling possession, and winning our games,” Dembele told Canal+.
AC Milan’s Heartbreak
Seven-time champions AC Milan dropped out of the top eight after a 2-1 loss to Dinamo Zagreb, with Yunus Musah’s 39th-minute red card proving costly. Despite Conrad Harder’s late equalizer for Sporting Lisbon, Dinamo were eliminated, and Milan will now face either Juventus or Feyenoord in the play-offs.
Liverpool and Barcelona’s Final Standings
Liverpool finished top of their group despite a 3-2 loss to PSV Eindhoven, while Barcelona drew 2-2 with Atalanta, who narrowly missed the top eight after starting the evening in seventh place.
The Champions League continues to deliver thrilling moments, with the play-off round promising even more excitement. Stay tuned for updates as the competition progresses!
