Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Benfica, and Feyenoord advanced to the Champions League Round of 16. Brugge stunned Atalanta, while Celtic and Benfica delivered thrilling performances. AC Milan was eliminated.
The first set of knockout playoff matches in the UEFA Champions League has concluded, revealing the first four teams to secure their spots in the Round of 16. Bayern Munich, Club Brugge, Benfica, and Feyenoord emerged victorious and will now join the top eight teams from the overall group standings.
Brugge Stuns Atalanta
One of the biggest surprises came with Atalanta’s elimination. The Italian side, known for their competitive performances against Europe’s elite in previous editions, fell short in the playoffs. Club Brugge delivered a shocking 3-1 victory in the second leg, following up on their 2-1 win in the first leg. The Belgian club advanced with a 5-2 aggregate score and will now face either LOSC Lille or Aston Villa in the Round of 16.
Celtic Fought Until the End
Celtic also impressed, putting up a strong fight against Bayern Munich in Germany. The Scottish side took a surprising lead in the 63rd minute with a goal from Nicolas-Gerrit Kühn. However, Bayern Munich equalized deep into stoppage time, with Alphonso Davies scoring in the 94th minute to secure a 1-1 draw. With a 3-2 aggregate win, Bayern advanced and will meet either Bayer Leverkusen or Atlético Madrid in the next round.
Goal Fest in Portugal
The most entertaining clash came from Benfica and Monaco, producing a thrilling 3-3 draw. With Benfica holding a narrow 1-0 lead from the first leg, the match saw multiple lead changes. The Portuguese side took an early lead, but Monaco equalized before halftime. The French side then went ahead 2-1, only for Benfica to level from the penalty spot. Monaco struck again for a 3-2 advantage, but Benfica found another equalizer in the 84th minute. Thanks to their first-leg win, Benfica progressed on aggregate and will now face either Barcelona or Liverpool in the next round.
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Milan Falls at Home
AC Milan failed to overturn their 1-0 first-leg defeat against Feyenoord. Despite an early goal from Santiago Giménez at San Siro, Milan was held to a 1-1 draw. Feyenoord secured a 2-1 aggregate victory and advanced to face either Inter Milan or Arsenal in the Round of 16.
Cover photo: X (@SLBenfica)
