The eight teams advancing from the playoff round are Atletico Madrid, Bodo/Glimt, Leverkusen, Newcastle, Atalanta, Galatasaray, PSG, and Real Madrid.

Perhaps the biggest surprise was Bodo/Glimt, who eliminated last season's runner-up Inter Milan with a 5-2 aggregate victory over two legs. This historic achievement marks the first time a Norwegian club has reached the Champions League round of 16.

Bodo/Glimt players and coaching staff celebrate their victory over Inter Milan in the second leg of the Champions League playoff round on 24/2, at San Siro in Milan, Italy. Photo: Reuters

Galatasaray was the only team to require extra time. After winning the first leg against Juventus 5-2, they lost 0-3 in the 90 minutes of the second leg in Italy. Goals from Victor Osimhen and Baris Yilmaz in extra time secured a 7-5 aggregate win for the Turkish side.

Atletico Madrid also advanced with a high-scoring aggregate, defeating Club Brugge 4-1 in the second leg after a 3-3 draw in Belgium. Newcastle secured their spot comfortably, beating Qarabag 9-3 on aggregate, including a 6-1 first-leg victory in Azerbaijan.

The most dramatic playoff tie was between Atalanta and Dortmund. Atalanta emerged as the sole Italian representative in the round of 16, securing a 4-1 second-leg win after a 0-2 first-leg defeat. The closing minutes of the second leg saw three red cards and a decisive goal from Lamar Samardzic, sealing their progression.

Defending champions PSG eliminated fellow French side Monaco 5-4, benefiting from playing with a man advantage in both legs. Real Madrid defeated Benfica 3-1 on aggregate, avenging a 2-4 loss in the final group stage match. Leverkusen was the only team to keep a clean sheet throughout the playoff round, beating Olympiacos 2-0 on aggregate.

PSG players celebrate their victory over Monaco in the second leg of the Champions League playoff round at Parc des Princes in Paris, France on 25/2. Photo: Reuters

These eight playoff winners join the top eight teams from the group stage in the round of 16: Arsenal (24 points), Bayern Munich (21), Liverpool (18), Tottenham (17), Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting, and Manchester City (all with 16 points).

Based on group stage rankings and playoff results, potential round of 16 matchups include: Real Madrid or Bodo/Glimt against Manchester City or Sporting; PSG or Newcastle against Barcelona or Chelsea; Atletico Madrid or Galatasaray against Liverpool or Tottenham; and Atalanta or Leverkusen against Arsenal or Bayern Munich.

The draw for the Champions League round of 16 will take place tomorrow, 27/2. The first legs are scheduled for 7-8/3, with the second legs on 14-15/3.

Vy Anh