A wild Champions League night reshapes Europe

Europe witnessed one of the most chaotic and entertaining nights in recent Champions League memory as the new league-phase format produced major shake-ups. From Arsenal making history to Real Madrid being dumped into the play-offs, every corner of the continent delivered drama. Even the so-called minnows made sure their names were heard.

Here’s your full roundup of a night that felt like football’s version of a plot twist.

Arsenal rewrite history with a perfect eight

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Arsenal became the first team to win all eight league-phase games after edging Kairat Almaty 3-2. Mikel Arteta rotated his entire XI yet still walked away with maximum points, a sign of just how deep and polished this squad has become.

Kai Havertz, making his first start in almost a year, produced a dream return. He created one goal, scored another, and set up Gabriel Martinelli for the third. Arteta called his performance “very impressive” and stressed that Havertz will be key to Arsenal’s trophy push across four competitions.

Kairat, debutants in the competition, finished bottom with just one point but earned a consolation strike deep in stoppage time.

Barcelona come alive after a slow start

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Barcelona sealed a top-eight finish after thumping Copenhagen 4-1. Things looked shaky early when Viktor Dadason put the Danish visitors ahead. But once Robert Lewandowski equalised after the break, Barca took control.

Lamine Yamal’s deflected effort put them ahead before Raphinha converted a controversial penalty. Marcus Rashford capped the night with a late free-kick that slipped past Dominik Kotarski.

Hansi Flick admitted frustration at Barca’s sluggish first half but praised the team’s response.

Real Madrid stunned as Benfica rise

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The shock of the night came in Lisbon, where Jose Mourinho’s Benfica beat Real Madrid 4-2. Mbappe scored twice for Madrid, but it wasn’t enough as Andreas Schjelderup, Vangelis Pavlidis, and a dramatic 98th-minute header from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin pushed Benfica into the knockout play-offs.

Madrid’s defeat, combined with wins for Barca, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon, and Manchester City, pushed them down to ninth, meaning they must go through the play-off round. New coach Alvaro Arbeloa admitted his side were “far from the level we need to show.”

Mourinho, meanwhile, savoured what he called a “deserved” victory.

PSG and Newcastle drag each other down

The 1-1 draw in Paris meant neither PSG nor Newcastle finished in the top eight. Ousmane Dembele missed an early penalty before Vitinha curled in the opener. Newcastle equalised in first-half stoppage time when Joe Willock latched onto Dan Burn’s knockdown.

Both teams needed a win but lacked the finishing touch. Luis Enrique said PSG will “take another route,” while Eddie Howe praised Newcastle for battling through absences and fatigue.

Liverpool hit Qarabag for six

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Liverpool delivered a much-needed statement with a 6-0 demolition of Qarabag. Alexis Mac Allister and Florian Wirtz scored early before Mohamed Salah ended his eight-game drought with a superb free-kick. Hugo Ekitike, Mac Allister again, and Federico Chiesa completed the scoreline.

Despite the heavy defeat, Qarabag still qualified for the play-offs in 22nd place.

Liverpool finished third in the league phase and automatically reached the last 16, easing pressure on Arne Slot after a rocky Premier League run.

Manchester City wake up at the right time

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Manchester City secured their place in the last 16 with a 2-0 win over Galatasaray, helped by results elsewhere. Erling Haaland ended his long open-play drought with a cool chip, and Rayan Cherki smashed in the second.

Jeremy Doku created both goals before limping off with an injury, the one downside of the evening for Pep Guardiola.

City climbed into the top eight thanks to the PSG and Real Madrid results, avoiding the chaos of the play-off round.

Bodo/Glimt shock Atletico Madrid

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Norwegian debutants Bodo/Glimt stunned Atletico Madrid 2-1 to reach the knockout stage in their first Champions League campaign. After falling behind to Alexander Sorloth’s early header, they responded through Fredrik Sjovold before Kasper Hogh buried the winner in the second half.

Atletico, who struggled to break through Bodo’s disciplined defence, dropped into the play-offs.

Bodo finished 23rd and will face either Real Madrid or Inter Milan next.

Inter Milan beat Dortmund but both fall short

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Inter secured a 2-0 win over Borussia Dortmund through late goals by Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf. Despite the victory, Inter finished 10th and Dortmund 17th, meaning both sides must contest the play-offs.

Inter coach Cristian Chivu said his side “got what we deserved,” while Dortmund’s Emre Can admitted they “could have achieved more.”

Monaco and Juventus settle for a stalemate

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Monaco and Juventus played out a forgettable 0-0 draw that suited both sides. Juve advance as seeded qualifiers, while Monaco go through unseeded. Few chances, little urgency, and a match that drifted to an uneventful close.

Sporting clinch last-16 place with late drama

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Sporting CP left it late but secured a 3-2 win over Athletic Bilbao. Twice they trailed and twice they equalised through Ousmane Diomande and Francisco Trincao. Deep into added time, Alisson Santos buried the rebound of a saved shot to send Sporting into seventh and straight into the last 16.

Bilbao’s spirited performance wasn’t enough — they finished 29th and were eliminated.

Spurs complete a resilient victory in Frankfurt

Tottenham wrapped up direct qualification to the last 16 with a 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt. With over a dozen players unavailable, Spurs relied on grit and structure.

Randal Kolo Muani struck early in the second half, and Dominic Solanke doubled the lead shortly after coming off the bench. Captain Cristian Romero praised the team’s mentality, saying every Champions League game feels like “a final.”

Spurs finished fourth, a massive boost in a season where their Premier League campaign has been turbulent.

A Champions League night that shook Europe

The league phase ended with a mix of shocks, comebacks, heartbreak, and new heroes. Arsenal made history. Barcelona rediscovered rhythm. Benfica stunned Real Madrid. Bodo/Glimt continued their fairytale. Liverpool roared back. And Europe’s usual giants suddenly look a little more vulnerable.

If this is the energy heading into the knockouts, fans are in for a blockbuster finish to the season.

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