The first legs of the UEFA Champions League playoffs wrapped up without a single draw, ensuring that all teams carry either an advantage or a deficit into the second leg. Brujas and Bayern won 2-1, while Feyenoord and Benfica secured 1-0 victories over their respective opponents. The second legs are set for February 18.
Brujas and Bayern Secure 2-1 Wins
In Belgium, Club Brugge shocked Atalanta with a dramatic late winner. Ferran Jutglà opened the scoring in the 15th minute, but Mario Pašalić equalized before halftime. The match was decided in controversial fashion when a last-minute penalty was awarded to Brugge after a VAR review—a call that many deemed harsh. Gustaf Nilsson converted from the spot at 90+4’, giving Brugge a narrow lead heading into the return leg.
Meanwhile, Bayern Munich earned a 2-1 win over Celtic in a game they largely controlled. Goals from Michael Olise (45′) and Harry Kane (49′) put the German giants in command, but Daizen Maeda’s 79th-minute strike gave the Scottish club a glimmer of hope. Celtic faces an uphill battle in Munich but will look to pull off a miracle.
Benfica and Feyenoord Edge 1-0 Wins
In Rotterdam, Feyenoord took an early lead against AC Milan with a shocking error from goalkeeper Mike Maignan. Just three minutes in, Igor Paixão’s shot slipped through Maignan’s hands, handing the Dutch side the advantage. Milan struggled to create chances, with former Feyenoord striker Santiago Giménez receiving a warm ovation from his old fans despite being unable to make an impact.
Over in Portugal, Benfica dominated Monaco but could only manage a 1-0 win, despite playing with an extra man for nearly the entire second half. Vangelis Pavlidis scored the decisive goal in the 48th minute, but the hosts wasted several chances—23 total shots, only 6 on target. They’ll now face a tough test in Monaco, where their missed opportunities could come back to haunt them.
Second Leg Fixtures Set for February 18
With these results, the return legs on February 18 will determine which four teams advance to the Round of 16, where they will face the top-ranked teams from the group stage.
Cover photo: X (@SLBenfica)
