- 2025/26 UEFA Champions League: Round Of 16, Play-Off Teams, Clubs Eliminated
- Real Madrid, PSG and Juventus head into Champions League play offs
- Barcelona, Liverpool and City ended league phase with big wins
The 2025 2026 UEFA Champions League league phase ended on a dramatic note after the conclusion of the eighth matchday across Europe, confirming the eight clubs that secured automatic qualification for the Round of 16, the teams bound for the play off round, and those eliminated from the competition.
EDITOR’S PICKS
- Kano: ‘I Will Not Abandon Kwankwaso’ – Gov Yusuf’s Aide Resigns
- 5 Health Risks Men Face After Age 40
- CBN to Introduce New Policy to Regulate Debit Card Issuance, ATM Operations
EKO HOT BLOG reports that Arsenal finished top of the standings after a strong and consistent league phase, leading the group of clubs that advanced directly to the last 16. The Gunners were joined by Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City, all of whom amassed enough points to avoid the play offs.
Arsenal capped their campaign with a narrow 3 2 victory over Kairat Almaty. Liverpool underlined their attacking quality with a commanding 6 0 win against Qarabag, while Manchester City closed out the phase with a 2 0 victory over Galatasaray. Tottenham also secured their place with a comfortable 2 0 away win against Eintracht Frankfurt.
Just outside the top eight, several European heavyweights were forced into the play off round. Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint Germain, Newcastle United and Juventus all missed out on automatic qualification and must now battle for a place in the Round of 16. Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also among the teams progressing via the play offs.
Real Madrid endured a difficult night, falling 4 2 away to Benfica, while Inter Milan recorded a solid 2 0 win over Borussia Dortmund in Germany. PSG and Newcastle United played out a tense 1 1 draw in Paris, a result that confirmed both clubs’ play off spots.
Elsewhere, Sporting CP impressed with a 3 2 away victory against Athletic Club, while Bodø Glimt produced a shock by defeating Atlético Madrid 2 1 in Spain. Barcelona rounded off the league phase with a convincing 4 1 home win over FC Copenhagen, and Chelsea edged Napoli 3 2 in an entertaining encounter in Italy.
Teams Confirmed for the UEFA Champions League Round of 16
1. Arsenal
2. Bayern Munich
3. Liverpool
4. Tottenham Hotspur
5. Barcelona
6. Chelsea
7. Sporting CP
8. Manchester City
Teams Qualified for the Champions League Play-Offs
1. Real Madrid
2. Inter Milan
3. Paris Saint-Germain
4. Newcastle United
5. Juventus
6. Atlético Madrid
7. Atalanta
8. Bayer Leverkusen
9. Borussia Dortmund
10. Olympiacos
11. Club Brugge
12. Galatasaray
13. Monaco
14. Qarabag FK
15. Bodø/Glimt
16. Benfica
Teams Eliminated from the Champions League
1. Marseille
2. Pafos
3. Union Saint-Gilloise
4. PSV Eindhoven
5. Athletic Club
6. Napoli
7. FC Copenhagen
8. Ajax
9. Eintracht Frankfurt
10. Slavia Praha
11. Villarreal
12. Kairat Almaty
Champions League Matchday 8 Full Results
Athletic Club 2-3 Sporting
Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag FK
Barcelona 4-1 Copenhagen
Monaco 0-0 Juventus
Ajax 1-2 Olympiacos
PSG 1-1 Newcastle
Dortmund 0-2 Inter
Napoli 2-3 Chelsea
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-2 Tottenham
Atlético Madrid 1-2 Bodø/Glimt
Leverkusen 3-0 Villarreal
Arsenal 3-2 Kairat
Pafos 4-1 Slavia Praha (Red card)
Man City 2-0 Galatasaray
Club Brugge 3-0 Marseille
Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid (Red card)
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Atalanta
PSV 1-2 Bayern Munich
FURTHER READING
- Military Crushes Terror Cells Across Regions, Arrests 100 Suspects
- Why Did DHQ Deny Coup Plot Against Tinubu For Months?
- FG Rolls Out University Advancement Initiative
