And so now we wait. After one night, 18 matches played simultaneously and an endless stream of permutations when it came to qualifying for the last 16, the Champions League group stage is over for another season.
Yes, there were plenty of Champions League 2026 highlights. Yes, there were plenty of special moments, ultimately – and call me a cynic – the tournament only really begins now.
For I don’t believe one single established club has missed out on a place in the knockout stages – and, presumably, that is exactly what UEFA want (the fact some teams can qualify after four losses and, in one team’s case, five, is laughable).
Some could point to Italian champions Napoli failing to make it after they finished 30th in the 36-strong standings.
But with the greatest respect, they are not exactly regular diners at Europe’s top table. Still, we should give plenty of plaudits to two clubs that went above and beyond what was expected.
When Alisson Santos capped a 94th-minute attack with the winning goal at San Mames, Sporting Lisbon had reached the last 16 after twice coming from behind at Athletic Bilbao.
Furthermore, that goal meant European kings Real Madrid were consigned to ninth place and a two-legged play-off next month – a position I don’t believe they’d have found themselves in had they not sacked Xabi Alonso and replaced him with a rookie just over a fortnight ago.
As Real lost their discipline in the closing stages of their match against Benfica in Portugal – presumably knowing they had been the architects of their own downfall – so we had the story of the night.
Because even with Benfica leading 3-2 in stoppage time against the nine men of Real – Raul Asencio and Rodrygo both dismissed in injury time – the best story was yet to come.
98 minutes were on the clock when the hosts’ goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin met a Fredrik Aursnes free-kick and headed home to spark wild scenes as Benfica pipped Marseille on goal difference for the 24th place and the final qualifying spot. All masterminded, of course, by one-time Madrid boss Jose Mourinho – well he loves the drama doesn’t he
If the late shows of Sporting Libson and Benfica were the stories of the night, then credit also to the minnows of Bodo/Glimt.
A week after arguably the greatest upset in Champions League history, here were the Norwegians at it again, coming from behind to win at Atletico Madrid to propel themselves into the play-offs against all SBOTOP Champions League 2026 betting odds.
At the sharp end, Spurs and manager Thomas Frank deserve credit for automatically reaching the last 16 with a 2-0 win at Eintracht Frankfurt and ensuring they finished fourth in the league phase, while their North London rivals Arsenal completed a 100 per cent record with eight wins from eight to top the group from Bayern Munich and Liverpool.
The other sides to finish in the top eight were Barcelona, Chelsea, and Manchester City.
Of course, the format introduced last season means it’s likely the underperforming big hitters will always get a second chance now via the play-offs and so Real, last year’s defeated finalists Inter Milan, holders PSG, Newcastle, Juventus, and Atletico are among those awaiting two play-off ties.
Back to my original point, perhaps this group stage is a form of compromise – a mini European Super League by stealth. Certainly, the eight-match format increases the chances of the super powers qualifying for the knockout stages which is what many backers of the Super League wanted, as opposed to the inconvenience of meeting the smaller fry.
That Real, Inter, and Atletico amongst others have lost three times now and still made it – something which was very rare in the six match format – proves my point but let me get off my soapbox. We already know some of the permutations.
Having clinched top spot, Arsenal will meet one of Borussia Dortmund, Olympiakos, Atalanta, or Bayer Leverkusen in their last-16 tie, while Liverpool and Spurs can face either Club Brugge, Galatasaray, Juventus, or Atletico.
For Chelsea, it will be one of PSG, Newcastle, Monaco, or Qarabag. As for City, their eighth-place finish means they will face one of Benfica, Bodo/Glimt, Inter Milan, or Real.
The draw for the knockout stages will take place on Friday, and then the tournament can really begin.
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