Matchday 8, the final matchday of the UEFA Champions League league phase concluded in spectacular fashion as 18 matches played out simultaneously to decide the final standings for the knockout rounds. This high-stakes “Super Wednesday” shifted the table until the final whistle, leaving several European giants facing a difficult path forward.
Arsenal 3-2 Kairat Almaty: The Gunners made history as the first team to finish the new league phase with a perfect record of 8 wins from 8 matches. Kai Havertz netted twice and Gabriel Martinelli (35′) added a third to cancel out goals from Kairat’s Jorginho (6′ pen) and Ricardinho (90+3′).
Benfica 4-2 Real Madrid: In a massive upset, Real Madrid fell to 9th place and into the playoff rounds. The defining moment came in the 98th minute when Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin went up for a corner and scored a header to seal the victory.
Liverpool 6-0 Qarabag: Liverpool dominated with 72% possession at Anfield. The rout was fueled by a brace from Alexis Mac Allister (14′, 60′) and goals from Florian Wirtz (20′), Mohamed Salah (49′), Hugo Ekitiké (56′), and Federico Chiesa (89′).
Napoli 2-3 Chelsea: Chelsea secured a vital away win through a clinical brace from Joao Pedro (60′, 81′) and an Enzo Fernández penalty (18′). Napoli’s goals were provided by Antonio Vergara (32′) and Rasmus Højlund (42′).
Barcelona 4-1 Copenhagen: The Catalans cruised to victory behind goals from Robert Lewandowski (48′), Lamine Yamal (60′), and a Raphinha penalty (69′). Marcus Rashford capped the night with a spectacular 84th-minute free-kick, while Viktor Dadason scored Copenhagen’s lone goal.
Manchester City 2-0 Galatasaray: City confirmed their top-eight status with a professional home win. Erling Haaland marked his return to the scoresheet in the 11th minute, followed by a second from Rayan Cherki (29′).
PSV Eindhoven 1-2 Bayern Munich: Bayern secured the points late in the game after Ismael Saibari (78′) had equalized for PSV following Jamal Musiala’s opener (58′). Harry Kane came off the bench to strike the winner in the 84th minute.
Paris Saint-Germain 1-1 Newcastle: Newcastle earned a gritty point in Paris through a Joe Willock goal (46′) after Vitor “Vitinha” Ferreira had given PSG an early lead (7′). Newcastle’s Harvey Barnes missed a late chance that would have secured direct qualification.
Borussia Dortmund 0-2 Inter Milan: The Italian side displayed defensive mastery with late strikes from Federico Dimarco (79′) and Andy Diouf (93′) to take all three points away from home.
Athletic Club 2-3 Sporting CP: Sporting clinched their top-eight spot in dramatic fashion. Alisson Santos proved to be the hero, netting a 95th-minute winner to silence the San Mamés and directly prevent Madrid’s automatic qualification.
Atletico Madrid 1-2 Bodo/Glimt: The Norwegian underdogs staged a massive comeback to keep their European campaign alive and leave Atletico in the playoff spots.
Bayer Leverkusen 3-0 Villarreal: Leverkusen dominated from start to finish under Kasper Hjulmand. Alejandro Grimaldo added the third goal to ensure a clean sheet and a comfortable victory.
Club Brugge 3-0 Marseille: Marseille was knocked out of the competition on goal difference following a heavy defeat in Belgium. Brugge’s goals came from Mamadou Diakhon (3′), Romeo Vermant (10′), and Aleksandar Stankovic (78′).
Eintracht Frankfurt 0-2 Tottenham: Spurs secured 4th place with an away win in Germany. The scoring opened with an own goal from Randal Kolo Muani (46′) followed by a strike from Dominic Solanke (76′).
Monaco 0-0 Juventus: In the only fixture of the night without a goal, both sides played out a cautious stalemate to see out the league phase.
Pafos 4-1 Slavia Prague: A historic night for the Cypriot side was highlighted by an 84th-minute strike from Anderson Silva as they brushed aside their Czech opponents.
Union Saint-Gilloise 1-0 Atalanta: A monumental defensive performance from the Belgians allowed them to hold onto a lead provided by Anan Khalaili in the 69th minute.
Ajax 1-2 Olympiacos: Ajax suffered late heartbreak at home as Santiago Hezze scored in the 79th minute to secure the win for the Greek visitors.
The final results have confirmed the top eight teams, Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City, who proceed directly to the Round of 16. Giants like Real Madrid, Inter Milan, and PSG must now navigate a two-legged playoff in February to join them.
