The first league phase of the UEFA Champions League has come to a close, with eight teams advancing automatically to the Round of 16, while 16 others will compete in the playoff round for a chance at the knockout stages.
The final matchday was filled with drama, as goals flew in and teams fought fiercely for a coveted spot in the next round.
With six places still up for grabs before kick-off, the night was full of anticipation and excitement.
Liverpool, already qualified, finished top of their group despite a 2-1 loss to PSV Eindhoven, with Barcelona’s 1-1 draw against Atalanta helping them secure the top spot.
Arsenal sealed their Round of 16 place with a 2-1 win over Girona, and Aston Villa ensured automatic qualification after a thrilling 4-2 victory against Celtic at Villa Park. Unai Emery’s side leapfrogged Atalanta to finish in the top eight.
Also joining the knockout stage are Inter Milan, Atletico Madrid, Bayer Leverkusen, and Lille, who secured their spots with strong finishes.
Teams Through to the Champions League Round of 16
Liverpool
Barcelona
Arsenal
Inter Milan
Atletico Madrid
Bayer Leverkusen
Lille
Aston Villa
Teams to battle it in playoff round
Teams ranked 9th to 24th will now enter a two-legged playoff round, with the winners advancing to face the top eight teams in the Round of 16.
Manchester City earned a playoff spot with a vital 3-1 win over Club Brugge at the Etihad. Despite their defeat to Aston Villa, Celtic also progressed, marking their return to the Champions League knockout stage for the first time since the 2012/13 season.
Teams Advancing to the Playoff Round
Atalanta
Borussia Dortmund
Real Madrid
Bayern Munich
AC Milan
PSV Eindhoven
Paris Saint-Germain
Benfica
AS Monaco
Brest
Feyenoord
Juventus
Celtic
Manchester City
Sporting Lisbon
Club Brugge
