From Vinícius Jr answering racism with brilliance, to Victor Osimhen silencing Turin, and Atalanta delivering Italian football from disaster, the Champions League Playoffs second-leg delivered one of its most dramatic nights in recent memory.
Vinícius Jr Scores Again as Real Madrid March On
Real Madrid secured their place in the Champions League last 16 with a composed victory over Benfica at the Santiago Bernabéu, with Vinícius Júnior once again at the centre of attention.
The Brazilian forward had dominated pre-match headlines after alleging he was racially abused by Gianluca Prestianni during the first leg, a match Vinícius decided with the only goal.
Prestianni was subsequently handed a one-match ban, ruling him out of the return fixture.
In a show of solidarity, Real Madrid supporters unveiled a banner reading “No al Racismo” before kick-off.
Vinícius ensured the focus stayed on football, scoring the decisive goal with 10 minutes remaining, driving past his marker and finishing clinically across the goalkeeper to seal a 3–1 aggregate victory.
Benfica had struck first in the 14th minute when Rafa Silva capitalised on chaos in the box after Thibaut Courtois denied an attempted clearance by Raúl Asencio.
The lead lasted only two minutes, with Aurélien Tchouaméni curling in his first Champions League goal from the edge of the box.
Despite missing injured superstar Kylian Mbappé, Real held firm, with Vinícius scoring his sixth goal in five games to book a last-16 clash against either Manchester City or Sporting CP.
Osimhen & Yilmaz End Juventus Dream in Turin Epic
Galatasaray produced a stunning extra-time performance to knock out Juventus, with Victor Osimhen the hero.
Trailing 5–2 from the first leg, Juventus launched a dramatic comeback. Captain Manuel Locatelli converted a first-half penalty after Lucas Torreira fouled Khéphren Thuram.
Juventus were reduced to 10 men again in the 49th minute when Lloyd Kelly was controversially shown a straight red after a VAR review.
Despite the setback, goals from Federico Gatti and Weston McKennie levelled the tie at 5–5 on aggregate, sending the Allianz Stadium into raptures.
But in extra time, Osimhen struck decisively, finishing low after being picked out by Barış Alper Yılmaz, who later sealed the contest himself with a composed late finish.
Osimhen now has seven Champions League goals this season, as Galatasaray reach the last 16 for the first time since 2013–14, where they will face either Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.
PSG Break Monaco Resistance After Red Card
Defending champions, Paris Saint-Germain overcame AS Monaco to reach the last 16, after being pushed hard early on.
Monaco led just before half-time when Maghnes Akliouche finished clinically after being slipped through by Mamadou Coulibaly.
The tie turned just before the hour mark when Coulibaly was sent off for a second yellow following a tackle on Achraf Hakimi.
PSG immediately capitalised as Marquinhos tapped home from Désiré Doué’s low cross.
Victory was sealed in the 66th minute when Khvicha Kvaratskhelia pounced after Hakimi’s shot was parried by Philipp Köhn.
A late strike from Jordan Teze proved a consolation as PSG advanced to face either Chelsea or Barcelona.
Last-Gasp Penalty Sends Atalanta Through
With Inter Milan already eliminated, Atalanta carried Italy’s hopes and delivered in unforgettable fashion.
Trailing 2–0 from the first leg against Borussia Dortmund, Atalanta struck early through Gianluca Scamacca before Davide Zappacosta added a deflected second before half-time.
Mario Pašalić made it 3–0 in the 57th minute, but Karim Adeyemi appeared to have forced extra time with a late equaliser on aggregate.
Deep into stoppage time, chaos erupted as Ramy Bensebaini caught Nikola Krstović with a high boot in the box. After a VAR review, referee José María Sánchez Martínez awarded a penalty and sent Bensebaini off.
Amid furious protests and multiple red cards, Lazar Samardžić calmly smashed the spot-kick into the roof of the net.
“Everyone had written us off,” said Zappacosta.
“This match showed once again how strong this group is, we always believe and we never give up.”
Atalanta will now face either Arsenal or Bayern Munich, as Italy’s lone survivors in the Champions League last 16.
Full-Time Results – UEFA Champions League
Knockout Round Play-offs (Tuesday)
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Atlético Madrid 4–1 Club Brugge
Atlético Madrid win 7–4 on aggregate (Agg: 7–4) -
Bayer Leverkusen 0–0 Olympiakos
Bayer Leverkusen win 2–0 on aggregate (Agg: 2–0) -
Inter Milan 1–2 Bodø/Glimt
Bodø/Glimt win 5–2 on aggregate (Agg: 5–2) -
Newcastle United 3–2 Qarabağ
Newcastle United win 9–3 on aggregate (Agg: 9–3)
Knockout Round Play-offs (Wednesday)
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Atalanta 4–1 Borussia Dortmund
Atalanta win 4–3 on aggregate (Agg: 4–3) -
Juventus 3–2 Galatasaray (AET)
Galatasaray win 7–5 on aggregate (Agg: 7–5) -
Paris Saint-Germain 2–2 Monaco
Paris Saint-Germain win 5–4 on aggregate (Agg: 5–4) -
Real Madrid 2–1 Benfica
Real Madrid win 3–1 on aggregate (Agg: 3–1)
