After the final matchday, the Champions League group stage confirmed eight teams for the round of 16: Arsenal (24 points), Bayern (21), Liverpool (18), Tottenham (17), Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting, and Manchester City (all with 16 points).

Eight teams directly qualify for the round of 16, and 16 teams must play in the playoffs. Photo: UEFA

Arsenal and Bayern secured their spots in the previous round, having established a safe lead over the ninth-placed team. They further solidified their positions with 3-2 victories over Kairat and 2-1 over PSV on the final matchday. Liverpool, Tottenham, and Chelsea also made it into the top eight after the seventh matchday. These three teams successfully defended their spots by beating Qarabag 6-0, Frankfurt 2-0, and Napoli 3-2.

Barcelona, Sporting, and Manchester City also managed to finish in the top eight on the final day. Barcelona crushed Copenhagen 4-1, climbing to fifth place with 16 points. Sporting and Manchester City also fortunately achieved their goal by defeating Bilbao 3-2 and Galatasaray 2-0. Among the four teams with 16 points, Barcelona ranked highest with a goal difference of +8. Chelsea followed with a goal difference of +7, while Sporting and Manchester City both had a goal difference of +6.

Barcelona, Sporting, and Manchester City's strong finish was largely due to the decline of Real Madrid, Paris Saint-Germain, and Newcastle. These three teams were all in the top eight after the seventh matchday but suffered a shock on the final matchday.

Yamal and Raphinha celebrate a goal during Barcelona's 4-1 victory over Copenhagen on the final Champions League group stage matchday on the evening of 28/1. Photo: Reuters

Real Madrid caused the biggest disappointment, losing 2-4 to Benfica. Against an opponent that had lost five of its first seven matches, the 15-time champions stunned fans by being outplayed, constantly under attack, conceding four goals, and receiving two red cards. They finished the group stage with 15 points and in ninth place, just one point and one position behind Manchester City.

If Alisson Santos had not scored in the 90+4 minute to help Sporting beat Bilbao 3-2, Real Madrid might have retained their spot in the top eight. In that scenario, they would have been one point ahead of the Portuguese team.

Paris Saint-Germain also disappointed, drawing 1-1 with Newcastle at Parc des Princes. The reigning champions took the lead in the eighth minute and dominated initially but faded later. The draw meant both Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle dropped out of the top eight with only 14 points, falling to 11th and 12th place respectively.

The Champions League group stage only takes the top eight teams after eight matches directly into the round of 16. The 16 teams ranked from ninth to 24th must play in two-legged playoffs to compete for the remaining eight spots.

Goalkeeper Trubin celebrates the decisive goal that sent Benfica into the Champions League playoffs, after their 4-2 victory over Real Madrid on the final group stage matchday on the evening of 28/1. Photo: UEFA

In the middle of the table, several miracles also occurred. Before the final matchday, with 6 points and two points behind the 24th-placed team, Benfica had very little chance of making the playoffs. However, with a 4-2 victory over Real Madrid, Jose Mourinho's team completed a spectacular comeback. They narrowly climbed to 24th place, having 9 points and a better goal difference than Marseille (-2 compared to -3). Goalkeeper Trubin's decisive goal in the 90+8 minute, securing the 4-2 win, was golden.

Bodo/Glimt also pulled off a spectacular comeback. After the sixth matchday, the Norwegian team only had three points. But with two victories, 3-1 against Manchester City and 2-1 against Atletico, they finished in 23rd place with nine points and a goal difference of -1.

Grouping for the playoff draw to compete for the remaining eight spots in the round of 16. Photo: UEFA

The playoff draw will take place on 30/1. The playoff matches will be held on 17/2, 18/2, and 24/2, 25/2. The draw for the round of 16 and subsequent rounds will be held on 27/2.

By Thanh Quy