Bayern Munich Secures Thrilling Last-16 Spot with Late Goal
In a nail-biting encounter at the Allianz Arena, Bayern Munich secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a dramatic stoppage-time goal against Celtic. The Bavarian giants, leading 2-1 from the first leg, found themselves trailing on the night after Nicolas Kuehn, a former Bayern player, scored in the 63rd minute. The Scottish champions’ goal meant the tie was heading for extra time, but Alphonso Davies had other ideas. The Canadian international bundled the ball in from close range in the fourth minute of injury time, making the score 1-1 and clinching the tie for Bayern 3-2 on aggregate. Manager Vincent Kompany expressed his satisfaction with the result, stating, "Of course, we always want to dominate and be much better than the opponent, especially here. But the result is always the most important thing."
Celtic’s Heartbreaking Exit and commendable Performance
Celtic’s exit from the Champions League was a heartbreaking one, but the Scottish champions can take immense pride in their performance over the two legs. Despite going down to a late goal, Celtic’s manager, Brendan Rodgers, praised his team’s effort. "It never looked like we were going to concede the goal that we did and sadly for us, we did. I can only take immense pride from the performance and the guys gave everything," Rodgers said. The Celtic players put up a valiant fight, showcasing their resilience and determination, but ultimately fell short in the final moments of the match. Despite the disappointment, their performance will be remembered as a testament to their fighting spirit.
AC Milan’s Unfortunate Elimination by Feyenoord
Earlier in the day, AC Milan faced a tough opponent in Feyenoord, with the tie ultimately swinging in favor of the Dutch club. The match at San Siro began with Santiago Gimenez, who left Milan just last month, putting the Italian giants ahead in the first minute. However, Milan’s hopes were dashed when Theo Hernandez was sent off in the second half for a second booking. Feyenoord capitalized on this advantage, with Julian Carranza leveling the score in the 73rd minute. The Dutch side held on to win the tie 2-1 on aggregate, despite late drama that saw Givairo Read shown a red card at the end of the game. Milan’s elimination was a tough pill to swallow, but Feyenoord’s resilience and tactical acumen were evident throughout the match.
Benfica’s Persistence Pays Off in Lisbon
In Lisbon, Benfica and Monaco locked horns in a high-stakes encounter, with the Portuguese giants ultimately advancing to the last 16. Having won 1-0 in Monaco in the first leg, Benfica needed to defend their lead and extend it if possible. Kerem Akturkoglu opened the scoring midway through the first half, giving Benfica a promising start. However, Monaco mounted a fierce comeback, with Takumi Minamino and Eliesse Ben Seghir netting goals either side of half-time to level the tie on aggregate. Vangelis Pavlidis restored Benfica’s lead from the penalty spot, but Monaco’s George Ilenikhena quickly responded. Orkun Kokcu’s late equalizer ensured Benfica’s progression, and he reflected on the tough night, saying, "Still, we’re happy to have progressed to the last 16. I’m happy to have contributed to the result."
Club Brugge’s Impressive Performance in Italy
Club Brugge’s away performance against Atalanta was nothing short of spectacular. The Belgian side, leading 2-1 from the first leg, dominated the match with a 3-1 victory. Teenage starlet Chemsdine Talbi scored twice, demonstrating his immense potential, while Ferran Jutgla added a superb strike to seal the win. Atalanta, despite having 29 attempts on goal, were unable to break through the solid defense of Club Brugge. Ademola Lookman’s consolation goal in the second half and a saved penalty were scant consolation for the Italian side, who were further hampered by the late sending off of captain Rafael Toloi. Club Brugge’s disciplined and efficient display secured their place in the last 16, where they will face either Lille or Aston Villa.
Real Madrid’s Crucial Second Leg against Manchester City
The remaining play-off second legs are set to take place on Wednesday, with the most anticipated fixture seeing Real Madrid defend a 3-2 first-leg lead at home against Manchester City. The clash between two of Europe’s most successful clubs promises to be a spectacle, with both teams desperate to secure their place in the last 16. Real Madrid’s veteran squad will be looking to capitalize on their home advantage, while Manchester City’s dynamic attack will seek to overturn the deficit. The outcome of this tie will determine which of these giants will advance to face potential opponents like Atletico Madrid or Bayer Leverkusen in the next round.
