The League Phase of the UEFA Champions League 2026 has officially wrapped up, and Matchday 8 reminded everyone why this new format is box office. With 18 matches kicking off at the same time, qualification hopes changed minute by minute. From Arsenal’s flawless run to shocking results and last-gasp twists, January 28 delivered pure European football drama. Here’s a complete breakdown of a night that reshaped the Champions League landscape.

Key Match Summaries

One of the most thrilling games of the night saw Chelsea beat Napoli 3–2 in Italy. Napoli came out firing, but Chelsea stayed calm and struck late. João Pedro emerged as the hero with two crucial goals, lifting Chelsea firmly into the top eight. For Napoli, the defeat seriously dented their hopes of qualification.

At the Emirates, Arsenal continued their dream run with a 3–2 win. The Gunners ended the league phase with a perfect record — eight wins from eight matches. It was a statement finish from a side that looked fearless and balanced heading into the knockouts.

Barcelona cruised to a 4–1 victory at Camp Nou after a strong second half. Teen sensation Lamine Yamal once again caught the eye as Barça sealed their place in the top eight with confidence.

Liverpool ended their league phase in style with a dominant 6–0 win at Anfield. Mohamed Salah was among the goals as the Reds secured a direct spot in the Round of 16.

In Paris, PSG and Newcastle played out a 1–1 draw. The result was enough for both teams to move into the playoff stage, though neither could break into the top eight.

Manchester City sealed automatic qualification with a 2–0 win. Goals from Erling Haaland and Rayan Cherki ensured City avoided the playoffs and moved straight into the last 16.

Bayern defeated Tottenham 3-1, with the German side asserting control through key goals, securing a crucial group win, and reinforcing their momentum heading into the knockout phase.

Late goals from Federico Dimarco and Andy Diouf helped Inter Milan defeat Borussia Dortmund 0-2,  but last season’s runners-up still failed to secure a direct spot in the Champions League last-16.

The shock of the night came in Lisbon, where Benfica stunned Real Madrid 4–2. Despite a goal from Kylian Mbappé, Madrid struggled defensively and slipped out of the automatic qualification zone, forcing them into the playoff round.

Other notable results included wins for Sporting CP, Olympiacos, Bodø/Glimt, and Athletic Club, as teams battled until the final whistle.

Standout Players of Matchday 8

Mohamed Salah (Liverpool) lit up Anfield with a goal in the Reds’ huge 6–0 win, earning a 9.4 SofaScore for his all-around influence. Alongside him, Alexis Mac Allister (8.9) and Florian Wirtz (8.7) showcased clinical attacking play, driving Liverpool into the Round of 16.

Gabriel Martinelli (Arsenal – 8.5) continued his brilliant run, scoring and contributing heavily to Arsenal’s undefeated league-phase campaign.

Benfica’s goalkeeper and attack combined with key contributions from Anatoliy Trubin (8.2) and Andreas Schjelderup (8.6) to shock Real Madrid with a memorable 4–2 win. Barcelona’s attacking quartet once again clicked, with Lamine Yamal (9.6) orchestrating moves, supported by Robert Lewandowski (8.8), Raphinha (8.4), and Marcus Rashford (8.3) as they drove Barça into the top tier.

League Table & Impact

Arsenal stamped their authority on the league phase by finishing inside the top eight, securing direct qualification to the Round of 16. They are joined by Bayern Munich, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Barcelona, Chelsea, Sporting CP, and Manchester City, all of whom did enough to avoid the playoff route and book a straight ticket to the knockouts.

Just outside the automatic spots, a strong group of heavyweights find themselves in the seeded playoff zone. Real Madrid, Inter Milan, PSG, Newcastle United, Juventus, Atlético Madrid, Atalanta, and Bayer Leverkusen will now have to navigate an extra two-legged playoff, though their seeding gives them a slight advantage heading into the next phase.

Further down, the unseeded playoff places are occupied by Borussia Dortmund, Olympiacos, Club Brugge, Galatasaray, AS Monaco, Qarabağ FK, Bodø/Glimt, and Benfica. These sides face the toughest path, needing to overcome seeded opponents to keep their European dreams alive. Meanwhile, teams finishing 25th and below have now exited European competition entirely, bringing their Champions League campaign to an early end.

Injuries and Suspensions

Injury concerns could influence the knockout phase. Kevin De Bruyne faces a fitness race after picking up a knock, while Rodri’s suspension will hurt City’s midfield balance. Real Madrid and Arsenal are also monitoring key players ahead of the playoffs.

Looking Ahead

Round 8 delivered major shocks. Ajax, Napoli, Villarreal, and Marseille were among the big names eliminated early, failing to finish in the top 24. Meanwhile, Manchester City, Inter Milan, Real Madrid, and PSG dropped out of the top eight, slipping into the knockout playoff zone after costly results.

The league phase provided the quantity, but now we enter the quality of the knockout rounds. All eyes now turn to the UEFA Headquarters in Nyon for the Knockout Phase Draw, which takes place on 30th January. The 16 teams in the playoff spots (9th through 24th) will be paired up to determine who moves on to meet the “Elite Eight” in the Round of 16. 

For teams like Man City and Inter, the road just got much longer, while Dortmund and Benfica will be hoping their momentum can carry them through as an unseeded threat. The road to the final is officially open.