The league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League concluded on a dramatic final matchday, with all qualification outcomes officially confirmed across Europe.
Arsenal and Bayern Munich, who had already secured qualification before the final round, both ended the phase with victories to seal top-two finishes. Arsenal were particularly impressive, advancing with a perfect record.
Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur also recorded wins on the final matchday, finishing inside the top eight and booking direct qualification to the Round of 16.
Real Madrid suffered one of the biggest shocks of the night. Having occupied third place after the previous round, the Spanish giants lost to Benfica and slipped to ninth, consigning them to the knockout play-offs. Benfica’s win proved decisive, as a late goal from their goalkeeper helped the Portuguese side finish 24th and narrowly claim a play-off spot.
Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United, both inside the top eight heading into the final round, drew their match and dropped into the knockout play-offs as a result.
In contrast, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP and Manchester City—part of a tightly packed group on 13 points—won their final matches to break into the top eight and secure automatic qualification to the Round of 16.
Inter Milan produced an impressive away win over Borussia Dortmund, but a damaging three-match losing streak earlier in the phase left them 10th overall, sending them into the knockout play-offs.
Napoli’s Champions League campaign came to an end after a home defeat to Chelsea. The Serie A defending champions finished 30th and were eliminated outright.
UEFA Champions League League Phase Qualification Summary
Direct Qualification to Round of 16
Arsenal, Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, Manchester City
Knockout Play-off (Seeded)
Real Madrid, Inter Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, Bayer Leverkusen
Knockout Play-off (Unseeded)
Borussia Dortmund, Olympiakos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Monaco, Qarabağ, Bodø/Glimt, Benfica
Eliminated
Marseille, Pafos, Union Saint-Gilloise, PSV Eindhoven, Athletic Bilbao, Napoli, Copenhagen, Ajax, Eintracht Frankfurt, Slavia Prague, Villarreal, Kairat Almaty
