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The 2025/26 UEFA Champions League has wrapped up after a dramatic eighth matchday across Europe, confirming the eight clubs that have booked automatic places in the Round of 16, the teams heading into the play-offs, and those whose European journey is now over.
Arsenal finished top of the table and led the pack of sides that progressed 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 secured enough points to avoid the play-off round.
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Arsenal capped a dominant league phase with a narrow 3-2 win over Kairat Almaty, while Liverpool showed their attacking strength with a ruthless 6-0 victory against Qarabag. Manchester City also ended strongly, beating Galatasaray 2-0, and Tottenham claimed a comfortable 2-0 away win at Eintracht Frankfurt to seal their place among the top eight.
Just below the automatic qualification spots, several European heavyweights were forced into the play-offs. Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United and Juventus will all have to navigate an extra knockout hurdle to reach the Round of 16. Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Dortmund are also among the clubs still alive via the play-off route.
Real Madrid suffered a 4-2 defeat away at Benfica, while Inter eased past Borussia Dortmund with a 2-0 win in Germany. PSG and Newcastle played out a tense 1-1 draw in Paris, a result that confirmed both sides’ places in the play-offs.
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Elsewhere, Sporting CP boosted their standing with a 3-2 away win against Athletic Club, and Bodø/Glimt caused a surprise by beating Atlético Madrid 2-1 in Spain. Barcelona finished the league phase in style, brushing aside FC Copenhagen 4-1 at home, while Chelsea defeated Napoli 3-2 in an entertaining clash 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
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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
Source: Naijanews.com | Read the Full Story…
