The inaugural league phase of the UEFA Champions League has concluded, with eight teams advancing directly to the round of 16 and 16 others heading to the playoff round.
The final set of fixtures was packed with drama and excitement, as teams fought fiercely for spots in the knockout stages.
With six spots still up for grabs, the night was filled with tension. Liverpool, having already secured their place, clinched the top spot despite a 2-1 defeat at PSV Eindhoven, thanks to Barcelona’s 1-1 draw with Atalanta.
Arsenal secured their passage to the Round of 16 with a hard-earned 2-1 win over Girona, while Aston Villa confirmed automatic qualification after a thrilling 4-2 victory over Celtic at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side moved ahead of Atalanta to finish in the top eight.
Also joining the knockout stages are Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and Lille, who all secured direct progression.
Teams ranked 9th to 24th will now compete in a two-legged playoff round, with the victors advancing to face the top eight teams in the Round of 16.
Manchester City secured their place in the playoff stage with a vital 3-1 win over Club Brugge at the Etihad. Despite a loss to Aston Villa, Celtic also progressed, making their first appearance in the Champions League knockout stage since the 2012/13 season.
Troops of the Nigerian Army have rescued three kidnap victims during a coordinated operation along…
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned the suspended Special Adviser to the…
The hope of the Idoma people for the long-awaited creation of Apa State from Benue…
The Benue State Government has restated its commitment to tackling insecurity through strategic actions and…
The European Union has committed €1.5 million to support victims of the recent crisis in…
The Benue State House of Assembly has initiated a thorough investigation into all ongoing state…
