The last round of matches for the final eight automatic qualifiers before the Champions League playoffs took place simultaneously on Wednesday, involving all 18 teams. In a shock result, Real Madrid, the reigning kings of the Champions League, were defeated 4-2 by Benfica, falling out of the top eight and into the playoffs.
Despite Kylian Mbappé scoring a brace for Los Blancos, Benfica, led by new coach José Mourinho, produced a masterclass performance against the club Mourinho once managed. The match ended dramatically, with two late red cards for Real Madrid’s Raul Asencio and Rodrygo in the 92nd and 97th minutes, respectively. A resultant free-kick was converted by Benfica goalkeeper Trubin, sealing the 4-2 win and sending Madrid into the playoffs.
Chelsea also impressed, defeating Napoli 3-2 in Italy. João Pedro scored the decisive goal in the 82nd minute at the Stadio Diego Armando Maradona, securing Chelsea’s automatic qualification to the round of 16 and placing them 6th on the table.
Liverpool demolished Qarabag FK 6-0 at Anfield, recording a clean sheet. Mac Allister scored twice, while Wirtz, Salah, Ekitike, and Chiesa added to the tally. The emphatic win is a boost for the Reds, who continue to struggle in the Premier League after last season’s championship run.
Tottenham Hotspur claimed a 2-0 away victory over Eintracht Frankfurt. Kolo Muani opened the scoring despite a minor car accident the previous day, and Solanke sealed the win in the 77th minute, securing Spurs’ spot in the round of 16 and 4th place in the top eight.
Barcelona defeated Copenhagen 4-1 at Camp Nou, with goals from Lewandowski, Lamine Yamal, Raphinha, and Rashford, taking them to 5th place and automatic qualification to the next stage.
Paris Saint-Germain, on the other hand, drew 1-1 against Newcastle at Parc des Princes, leaving them outside the top eight and facing the playoffs. Last season, PSG narrowly escaped this stage on the final day, a campaign they eventually won.
Arsenal maintained their 100 percent record in the group stage with a 3-2 win over Kairat, topping the table despite struggling in the Premier League. Bayern Munich also qualified with a 2-1 victory over PSV at the Philips Stadium. Jamal Musiala scored his first Champions League goal since returning from a serious injury at the Club World Cup in July 2025, while Harry Kane scored the decisive goal, putting Bayern in 2nd place.
Sporting Lisbon edged Athletic Bilbao 3-2 to secure 7th place and automatic qualification, while Manchester City defeated Galatasaray 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium, with goals from Haaland and Cherki, booking their round of 16 spot.
The eight clubs automatically qualified for the round of 16 are: Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting Lisbon, and Manchester City.
The teams entering the playoffs for a place in the round of 16 are: Real Madrid, PSG, Inter Milan, Newcastle, Juventus, Atlético de Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen, Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabag FK, Bodo/Glimt, and Benfica.