In the UEFA Champions League, the general stage became a real dramatic final. After the 8th round, the table wasn't "frozen" - on the contrary, it was a live thriller that trembled even in the final minutes: someone went straight to the 1/8 finals, someone made it to the playoffs at the last moment, and someone, despite all the work of the season, bid farewell to the competition.
The biggest surprise was in Lisbon. Benfica defeated Real Madrid 4-2 and the Madrid side dropped out of the top 8. The result means that Real Madrid will once again compete for a place in the round of 16 through the extra playoffs, as they did last year. That is, not the "short path" - another difficult path.
There was also a nerve-wracking episode in this match: Benfica goalkeeper Anatoly Trubin scored in the 90+8th minute, putting an end to the game. At Real Madrid, however, a nervous breakdown was felt in the final minutes: Asensio was sent off in the 90+2nd minute, and Rodrigo in the 90+7th. Benfica's goals came from Schelderup (36, 54), Pavlidis (45+5, penalty) and Trubin (90+8), while Real Madrid's response came from Mbappé (30, 58).
Another important thing in the final round: Barcelona, Manchester City, and Chelsea entered the top 8 thanks to their victories in this round and secured a direct spot in the 1/8 finals. That is, these three teams "don't get nervous in the additional stage," but go directly to the big stage.
Leading Arsenal, on the other hand, achieved a 100% performance at this stage - the maximum result, the maximum mood. However, not all favorites found such an easy path: the current champions of the tournament, PSG, and the current finalist, Inter Milan, will participate in the playoffs for advancement to the Round of 16, just like Real Madrid. The heaviest blow was taken by Serie A champions Napoli - the team bid farewell to the competition.
Interestingly, another "knife-high" dramatic line noted in the text: "Mourino team" secured 24th place, giving them the final spot thanks to the goalkeeper's goal in the 90+8th minute. This scenario is Champions League classic: someone's life at the last second, someone's depression at the last second.
Most memorable results of round 8
- Benfica - Real Madrid 4:2: Trubin's goal in the 90+8th minute is the mem of the evening.
- Napoli - Chelsea 2:3: The top 8 opens to Chelsea, while Napoli bid farewell to the tournament.
- Arsenal - Kairat 3:2: Arsenal maintained a 100% streak.
- "Manchester City" - "Galatasaray" 2:0: "Citizens" in direct 1/8 finals.
- Barcelona - Copenhagen 4:1: Confident finish in Catalonia.
- "Liverpool" - "Karabakh" 6:0: big score, big signal.
- "Borussia Dortmund" - "Inter" 0:2: "Inter" took the important points.
- PSV - Bayern Munich 1:2: Bayern Munich also stood their ground on the road.
The conclusion is simple: on January 28, the Champions League general stage closed with a round of "how could it be this way?" Those who made it to the top 8 will now catch their breath, while those who remained for the playoffs will prepare for the "second exam." For the fans, there's only one thing: now real pressure, real nerves, real Champions League is starting.
