Champions League Roundup, Playoff Round
The playoff round of the 2025/26 Champions League season showcased thrilling matches, surprising results, and remarkable performances by several players. This Champions League roundup offers a review of the games from this phase.
Atletico Madrid 7-4 Club Brugge
Atlético Madrid and Club Brugge played an exciting and unpredictable first leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off, ending in a 3-3 draw. In the second leg, Club Brugge could not replicate their strong performance, as Alexander Sørloth capitalized on poor defending to help Atlético Madrid secure a 4-1 victory, resulting in a 7-4 aggregate win in the UCL knockout play-offs.
Newcastle 9-3 Qarabağ
Newcastle United achieved their biggest-ever win in European competition by defeating Qarabağ 6-1 in the first leg. Qarabağ FK put up a strong fight but were ultimately defeated 3-2 by Newcastle United in the second leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off, resulting in a 9-3 aggregate loss. However, the Horsemen set a new record for the most goals conceded in a single campaign (30) since the competition was renamed in the 1992/93 season.
Inter 2-5 Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt traveled to Italy for the second leg of the UEFA Champions League knockout play-off holding a potentially decisive two-goal lead, following their impressive 3-1 victory over Inter Milan in the first leg. Bodø/Glimt achieved a major upset by defeating three-time European champions Inter Milan, securing a 2-1 win in the second leg and a 5-2 aggregate triumph in the UEFA Champions League play-off. This victory marks them as the first Norwegian team to advance past a knockout stage in Europe’s top competition since 1987.
Leverkusen 2-0 Olympiacos
Bayer Leverkusen achieved their first-ever away victory in a UEFA Champions League knockout match, with Patrik Schick scoring twice to secure a 2-0 win against Olympiacos in the first leg. They effectively shut down Olympiacos’ offensive attempts and followed up their 2-0 win in Greece with a 0-0 draw in the second leg of the UCL knockout playoff round.
Atalanta 4-3 Dortmund
Dortmund took the lead in their UEFA Champions League (UCL) play-off round matchup against Atalanta B.C by winning the first leg 2-0 at Signal Iduna Park. However, Atalanta B.C advanced to the last 16 of the UCL by dramatically beating Dortmund 4-1 with a goal in the final moments of the match at the New Balance Arena. This result secured a 4-3 aggregate win for Atalanta, making them the first team since the 2018/19 season to overturn a two-goal deficit from the first leg and advance in a UCL knockout round.
Real Madrid 3-1 Benfica
Real Madrid achieved a 1-0 victory in the first leg of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) knockout play-off against Benfica. They secured their spot in the UCL last 16 by narrowly defeating S.L. Benfica 2-1 in the second leg, winning 3-1 on aggregate.
PSG 5-4 Monaco
Paris Saint-Germain maintained their pursuit of the UEFA Champions League (UCL) title by coming back from a two-goal disadvantage to beat AS Monaco 3-2 in the first leg. By eliminating the last remaining Ligue 1 team in the tournament, Paris Saint-Germain advanced to the round of 16 for the 14th straight season, even though they only secured a 2-2 draw in the second leg against a Monaco side reduced to 10 players.
Juventus 5-7 Galatasaray
Juventus fell 5-2 to Galatasaray in the first leg of their play-off round. Despite losing the second leg 3-2 after extra time, Galatasaray progressed to the UEFA Champions League last 16 for the first time in 12 years. The 10-man Juventus team was eliminated from the tournament with a 7-5 aggregate score.
