Five Premier League clubs secured automatic qualification for the Champions League last 16 after a dramatic final night of league-phase action, underlining English football’s strength in Europe.
Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur, Chelsea and Manchester City all finished inside the top eight, avoiding February’s two-legged play-offs under the competition’s new format.
Arsenal capped a flawless campaign by beating Kairat 3-2 to finish top of the table with eight wins from eight matches.
Mikel Arteta’s side were pushed but showed their resilience once again, confirming their status as one of the tournament’s standout teams during the league phase.
Chelsea produced one of the comebacks of the night with a thrilling 3-2 victory away at Napoli.
Trailing early, the Blues rallied through goals including a decisive late strike from Joao Pedro, sealing sixth place overall and ensuring direct progression to the knockout rounds.
Manchester City did their part with a controlled 2-0 win over Galatasaray at the Etihad Stadium, but their fate hinged on events elsewhere.
Pep Guardiola’s side ultimately finished eighth, edging into the automatic qualification spots by the narrowest of margins after late drama in Lisbon kept them above Real Madrid.
That drama came at Benfica, where the Portuguese side stunned Real Madrid 4-2 in a chaotic finale that included multiple red cards and a stoppage-time headed goal from goalkeeper Anatoliy Trubin.
The result lifted Benfica into the top 24 on goal difference while condemning Real Madrid to ninth place and a play-off tie in February.
Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur and Liverpool quietly ensured safe passage with strong league-phase campaigns, finishing fourth and third respectively.
Meanwhile, Barcelona came from a goal down to beat Copenhagen 4-1 at Camp Nou with Lewandowski, Yamal, Raphinha and Rashford on the score sheet.
With five Premier League teams now through to the last 16, English clubs head into the knockout stages in commanding numbers, and with momentum firmly on their side.
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