Champions League 2025-26: PSG and Real Madrid Miss Automatic Qualification After Dramatic Final Night
On a night packed with drama, shocks and late twists, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Real Madrid failed to secure automatic qualification for the UEFA Champions League 2025–26 last-16 stage, instead being pushed into the playoffs following a stunning finale to the expanded league phase. The final matchday on January 28 delivered some of the most enthralling action of the tournament’s new 36-team Champions League format, with top-eight positions and playoff places changing hands until the final whistle.
At the centre of the drama was Real Madrid, the competition’s most successful club with 15 European titles, who appeared well placed to finish inside the automatic qualification spots heading into the night. However, their hopes unravelled spectacularly in Lisbon against Benfica. Real Madrid led early thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé but capitulated as Benfica turned the game around to win 4-2. The decisive moment came in the 98th minute when Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored with a header, thrusting his side into the playoffs and snatching qualification from under Real’s feet. The loss was compounded by late red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, leaving Los Blancos stunned and ninth in the table outside the automatic spots.
PSG’s Champions League journey on the night proved equally frustrating. Playing at home in Paris, the French champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United, a result that saw both teams slip into playoff positions despite starting the final matchday in the automatic berths. While a draw might usually suffice for a club of PSG’s stature, the intense competition and razor-thin margins in the league table meant even a stalemate proved costly. As a result, the Parisians now face an additional hurdle in their quest to reach the last 16.
Across the continent, other heavyweights stamped their authority. Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur secured automatic qualification thanks to compelling wins. Liverpool finished with a commanding display, thrashing Qarabag 6-0 to seal third place in their group. Meanwhile, Barcelona battled back from a goal down to defeat Copenhagen 4-1, while Chelsea fought from behind to beat Napoli 3-2. Tottenham ensured a comfortable path with a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
English clubs were particularly well represented, with five teams (Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City) locking in last-16 spots. Arsenal and Bayern Munich had already secured their places before the final round of fixtures, and Arsenal made history as the first club to finish the group phase with a 100% record in the new format. Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Galatasaray also propelled them into the top eight, leapfrogging others on the final night.
Meanwhile, surprise contenders such as Sporting Lisbon made the most of the dramatic finale, scoring a late winner against Athletic Bilbao to vault into the automatic qualification places and deny Real Madrid a smoother route forward. With the playoffs now looming, teams finishing between ninth and 24th will soon discover their opponents, setting the stage for another gripping chapter in Europe’s premier club competition.
At the centre of the drama was Real Madrid, the competition’s most successful club with 15 European titles, who appeared well placed to finish inside the automatic qualification spots heading into the night. However, their hopes unravelled spectacularly in Lisbon against Benfica. Real Madrid led early thanks to goals from Kylian Mbappé but capitulated as Benfica turned the game around to win 4-2. The decisive moment came in the 98th minute when Benfica goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin scored with a header, thrusting his side into the playoffs and snatching qualification from under Real’s feet. The loss was compounded by late red cards for Raul Asencio and Rodrygo, leaving Los Blancos stunned and ninth in the table outside the automatic spots.
PSG’s Champions League journey on the night proved equally frustrating. Playing at home in Paris, the French champions were held to a 1-1 draw by Newcastle United, a result that saw both teams slip into playoff positions despite starting the final matchday in the automatic berths. While a draw might usually suffice for a club of PSG’s stature, the intense competition and razor-thin margins in the league table meant even a stalemate proved costly. As a result, the Parisians now face an additional hurdle in their quest to reach the last 16.
Across the continent, other heavyweights stamped their authority. Liverpool, Barcelona, Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur secured automatic qualification thanks to compelling wins. Liverpool finished with a commanding display, thrashing Qarabag 6-0 to seal third place in their group. Meanwhile, Barcelona battled back from a goal down to defeat Copenhagen 4-1, while Chelsea fought from behind to beat Napoli 3-2. Tottenham ensured a comfortable path with a 2-0 victory over Eintracht Frankfurt.
English clubs were particularly well represented, with five teams (Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham, Chelsea and Manchester City) locking in last-16 spots. Arsenal and Bayern Munich had already secured their places before the final round of fixtures, and Arsenal made history as the first club to finish the group phase with a 100% record in the new format. Manchester City’s 2-0 win over Galatasaray also propelled them into the top eight, leapfrogging others on the final night.
Meanwhile, surprise contenders such as Sporting Lisbon made the most of the dramatic finale, scoring a late winner against Athletic Bilbao to vault into the automatic qualification places and deny Real Madrid a smoother route forward. With the playoffs now looming, teams finishing between ninth and 24th will soon discover their opponents, setting the stage for another gripping chapter in Europe’s premier club competition.
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