The UEFA Champions League Gameweek 7 produced a night of high drama, decisive moments and shifting fortunes across Europe, as heavyweight contenders tightened their grip on qualification places while others edged closer to elimination in the expanded 36-team league phase.
From Moisés Caicedo’s late rescue act at Stamford Bridge, to Liverpool’s commanding win in Marseille, Newcastle United’s ruthless pressing, and Barcelona’s attacking response in Prague, the race for automatic qualification intensified with just one round of matches left.
Caicedo Saves Chelsea as Blues Edge Pafos to Stay Alive
Chelsea kept their hopes of finishing in the top eight alive with a narrow 1–0 victory over Champions League debutants Pafos, but it took 77 minutes to finally break down the resilient Cypriot champions.
The breakthrough came when £115m midfielder Moisés Caicedo reacted quickest to a Pedro Neto corner that flicked off substitute Nany Dimata, diving in to head home from close range.
It had threatened to be an embarrassing night for Chelsea against the competition minnows, valued at just £26.2m compared to Chelsea’s £1bn-plus squad, according to Transfermarkt.
In Liam Rosenior’s first Champions League match and just his fourth game in charge, Chelsea saw Enzo Fernández have a 17th-minute header ruled out for a push on Derrick Luckassen, a decision that drew frustration from the home crowd.
Earlier, Pafos had gone close when Jaja hit the post after the ball deflected off Reece James’ hand inside the box, sparking penalty appeals.
Chelsea also needed Jay Gorter brilliance to deny Jorrel Hato from close range before half-time, while teenage winger Estevão Willian impressed after replacing James at the break, volleying a sensational effort just minutes before the winner arrived.
Chelsea now likely need to beat Napoli away on the final day to avoid two play-off matches.
Looking ahead, Rosenior said:
“I am not daunted by the prospect. Antonio [Conte] is an incredible coach. They need to win which changes the dynamic a bit but we focus on Crystal Palace now.”
Player of the Match: Moisés Caicedo
Salah Returns as Liverpool Silence Marseille
Liverpool moved into a strong position for a top-eight finish with a commanding 3–0 away win over Marseille, as Mohamed Salah returned to the starting XI.
A moment of brilliance from Dominik Szoboszlai broke the deadlock in first-half stoppage time, rolling a free-kick under the wall.
An own goal from goalkeeper Geronimo Rulli doubled the lead before Cody Gakpo sealed the win in the 92nd minute.
The result lifted Liverpool to fourth in the standings, extending their unbeaten run to 13 matches.
Marseille, urged pre-match by Roberto De Zerbi to “honour the Stade Vélodrome,” unveiled a Beatles-themed tifo reading
“Que l’histoire repète” – “History repeats itself.”
Instead, it was Liverpool who repeated history, winning there again just as they did in 2007 and 2008.
Liverpool host Qarabag next as they aim to stay clear of the play-offs.
Player of the Match: Dominik Szoboszlai
Wissa and Gordon Lead Newcastle into Play-Offs
Newcastle United secured a Champions League last-16 play-off spot with a dominant 3–0 win over PSV Eindhoven at St James’ Park.
The recalled Yoane Wissa opened the scoring after capitalising on a clearance error from Matej Kovar, before turning provider for Anthony Gordon, who matched Alan Shearer’s club record with six Champions League goals in a single season.
After the break, Harvey Barnes added a third following another PSV mistake.
Newcastle climbed to seventh in the table and could still qualify automatically if they beat holders Paris Saint-Germain away next week.
The night ended with fans chanting about Barcelona, Bayern and Rome as belief surged on Tyneside.
Player of the Match: Harvey Barnes
Barcelona Hit Four in Prague as Flick’s Subs Make Impact
Fermín López scored twice as Barcelona defeated Slavia Prague 4–2 in freezing conditions, boosting their hopes of avoiding the play-offs.
After Slavia took an early lead, López struck twice before half-time. An unfortunate Robert Lewandowski own goal made it 2–2, but Barca dominated the second half.
Introduced just after the hour, Dani Olmo restored the lead with a stunning strike, before Marcus Rashford set up Lewandowski for the fourth.
Barcelona are now ninth, needing a final-day win over Copenhagen and favourable results elsewhere.
Kane Fires Bayern into Last 16 Despite Red Card
Harry Kane scored twice — and missed a penalty — as 10-man Bayern Munich beat Union Saint-Gilloise 2–0 to seal qualification for the last 16.
Kane headed in from a Michael Olise corner before converting a penalty minutes later. Despite Kim Min-jae’s red card, Bayern remained dominant.
Bayern remain unbeaten in 38 straight home Champions League group/league games.
Juventus Close In as Benfica Teeter
Second-half goals from Khephren Thuram and Weston McKennie earned Juventus a 2–0 win over Benfica, leaving José Mourinho’s side on the brink of elimination.
A missed penalty from Vangelis Pavlidis summed up Benfica’s night, while Juve remain 15th with an outside chance of automatic qualification.
Other Key Results
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Athletic Club 3–2 Atalanta – Bilbao dent Atalanta’s top-eight hopes
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Galatasaray 1–1 Atletico Madrid – Marcos Llorente own goal rescues hosts
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Qarabag 3–2 Eintracht Frankfurt – Late winner ends Frankfurt’s campaign
Read More: Man City Fall to Bodo as Arsenal Claim San Siro Glory in Champions League Gameweek 7
Read More: Echegini Scores as PSG, Benfica Bow Out of The Champions League
UEFA Champions League – League Stage
Gameweek 7 Full-Time Results
Wednesday, 21 January
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Galatasaray 1–1 Atlético Madrid (FT)
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Qarabağ 3–2 Eintracht Frankfurt (FT)
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Atalanta 2–3 Athletic Club (FT)
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Bayern Munich 2–0 Union Saint-Gilloise (FT)
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Chelsea 1–0 Pafos (FT)
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Juventus 2–0 Benfica (FT)
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Marseille 0–3 Liverpool (FT)
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Newcastle United 3–0 PSV Eindhoven (FT)
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Slavia Prague 2–4 Barcelona (FT)
Tuesday, 20 January
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Kairat 1–4 Club Brugge (FT)
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Bodø/Glimt 3–1 Manchester City (FT)
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Copenhagen 1–1 Napoli (FT)
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Inter Milan 1–3 Arsenal (FT)
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Olympiakos 2–0 Bayer Leverkusen (FT)
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Real Madrid 6–1 Monaco (FT)
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Sporting CP 2–1 Paris Saint-Germain (FT)
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Tottenham Hotspur 2–0 Borussia Dortmund (FT)
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Villarreal 1–2 Ajax (FT)
